Click to support Paul's Place

Coalpit Heath-based charity Paul's Place for physically disabled adults has been nominated for the Lloyds Community Fund Award 2013 and they need your votes! You can vote for them:

• Online – www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund - You may find it easiest to use the "Search for a good cause" button and put in the postcode BS36 2TT
• By text - text the word VOTE and MQQD to 61119 
• In person at a Lloyds branch – ask in branch for a voting token

You have until 1st November to vote.

Find out more about Paul's Place here

Solar Farm planning application approved

The proposal we told you about back in April for a solar farm at Says Court Farm, in the countryside to the west of Nibley Lane, has now been approved by South Glos Council's planning committee.

The conditions were largely as in the report but with two additions (the conditions proposed by the Coal Authority and Network Rail). The condition about what should happen at the end of the 25 years was reworded so that it also required removal of the apparatus if the generation of power ceased some time before then.

During the meeting, officers also clarified the use of the community benefit fund. While still objecting to the application, Westerleigh Parish Council had negotiated on a "without prejudice" basis a community benefit of £1000 per MW generated, which could mean up to £17,500 a year for environmental projects to benefit the local community. Officers emphasised that their recommendation did not depend on this, it was a unilateral undertaking by the applicants, AEE Renewables. In the first year, £7000 will be available for ecological improvements on site, in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust.

Traffic chaos alert - Yate to Westerleigh road to be closed for 10 days from 30 September

Between 30th September and 9th October, Westerleigh Road will be completely closed at the double railway arches, i.e. between the bridge after Nibley Lane to Besom Lane, for repairs to falling masonry on the railway bridge.

This means that for ten days you won't be able to get through from Yate to Westerleigh in either direction. The work is urgent and it’s not possible for Network Rail to close just half the road because of the size of the machinery they need to use.

There will be warning signs about the closure at the entrance to Nibley Lane from Badminton Road and at the Shire Way roundabout.

This is likely to put a lot more traffic on Badminton Road, so please allow extra time if your journey to work takes you that way.

Update 23/09/2013: Just to stress that you WILL be able to get to Wot-Not and adjancent premises, but only from the Westerleigh side.

Update 26/09/2013: Westerleigh Parish Council has been told that there will still be pedestrian access through the works.

Update 09/10/2013: The work looks set to continue tomorrow (Thursday). Fingers crossed that they will be clear for Friday, but if we hear anything we'll let you know.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning

Nibley Lane, between Westerleigh Road and Badminton Road, is expected to close for cleaning tomorrow, Wednesday 11th September from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Friendship Clubs

Friendship clubs are for older people who like gentle exercise and games as well as socialising with a cup of tea or coffee. All the clubs are led by a friendly, approachable instructor with a specialist qualification in exercise for older people.

The nearest clubs in our area are:

 Monday at 10am  till 11.30am  at St Nix Family Centre, Chargorve, Yate BS37 4LG

 Friday 10 am till 11.30 am at Cambrian Green  Court. Wellington Road, Yate, BS37. 5TR

To find out more please call 01454 862296 or 07825 155954 for a friendly chat.

Waitrose to open next month

The new Chipping Sodbury Waitrose store will open at 8am on Thursday, October 10. The footbridge link to the High Street should be finished by the end of September.