Church Road Frampton Cotterell bridge replacement

Church Road in Frampton Cotterell is used by many drivers commuting from parts of Yate to the North Fringe. The bridge over the river needs replacing, and this is going to cause some diversions while the work is carried out.

Initial work to construct a temporary pedestrian bridge downstream of the existing bridge will begin on 17 March and Church Road will remain open during this time.

From 7 April, Church Road will close for three weeks while preliminary works are carried out on the existing bridge. Diversions will be in place during this time. Church Road will reopen after this phase.

From 28 July, Church Road will close for six weeks to allow for demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the new bridge. The work has been scheduled to take place during the school summer holidays to minimise disruption to school bus service. Diversions will be in place during this time.

Further information on this and other major road schemes taking place in South Gloucestershire between now and March 2015 are available at www.southglos.gov.uk/nfringeworks

Calling all runners

Following on the success of the Little Stoke Park Run, another has now started in Chipping Sodbury. You can find out more on their website.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning

Nibley Lane, between Badminton Road and Westerleigh Road, is expected to be closed for cleaning from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Tuesday 18th March.

Yate Safer Stronger Community Group on Monday

The Yate Safer Stronger Community Group, which includes Dodington Parish, meets on Monday 17th March at 7pm in Shireway Community Centre. The agenda is available online.

Even more bus changes on the way?

South Glos Council is consulting about changes to subsidised bus services. The consultation is available here - it closes on 31 March. Local impacts are as follows:

Service 222 Chipping Sodbury - Yate – Kingswood – Longwell Green (Aspects cinema)
-    Experimental service with low usage, to be discontinued
-    Brimsham Park and Iron Acton lose services

Service 622 Chipping Sodbury – Yate – Thornbury - Cribbs Causeway
-    removing journeys before 9am with a view to thereby reducing the subsidy the council pays for this service

Service 967 South Yate – Chipping Sodbury Secondary School – Brimsham Green School (schools service)
-    Actually Westerleigh – Shire Way – Chipping Sodbury – Yate, one journey each way.
-    The council is proposing to cease operating these services and to instead support schools and parent groups in setting up their own transport service if required.
-    This route is used by an average of 35 passengers with a subsidy of £1.98. There currently is no alternative route available.

Summary of bus changes from 13 April 2014

As we told you recently, there will now be a direct bus from Yate to Southmead Hospital. But this is just one of the changes to come - here is a summary:

Click here for an updated version of the text in green

Service 46 (replaces 327) Yate – Bristol
-    Will now serve Cranleigh Court Road, Greenways Road and Church Road instead of part of Station Rd.
-    Increased evening services, net result with Service 47 will be 30 minute frequency Yate – Bristol.
-    Also replaces 329, so Sunday services lost to Iron Acton, North Yate and Heron Way

Service X46 (replaces X27) Yate – Bristol
-    First taking over from Wessex Connect
-    Together with 46 and 47, will provide 15 minute frequency Yate – Bristol
-    Will not go beyond Bristol Bus Station to Anchor Road
-    But will start from Chipping Sodbury
-    Some Wessex X27 services possibly to continue on this route

Service 47/X47 (replacing 342/X42) Chipping Sodbury – Bristol
-    Increased Sunday frequency, later last journey home.

Service N47 (replaces N50 night bus)
-    Same service, different number.

Service X49 (replaces 689)
-    Will now stop at Bristol Bus Station, not Colston Avenue
-    Faster journeys and tops up Bristol – Yate service.

Service 81 (replacing 581) Kingswood – Bristol Parkway – Yate
-    Replacing 581 Hanham - UWE - Bristol Parkway - Yate - Chipping Sodbury
-    81 appears not to continue to Chipping Sodbury (not entirely clear)

Service 82 (replacing 482/483)  Southmead Hospital – Yate
-    Replacing 482/483 Chipping Sodbury – Yate – Cribbs Causeway.
-    Extended to Southmead Hospital
-    But Chipping Sodbury, Heron Way, Shire Way service lost.

Passengers for Southmead Hospital from Yate will be able to travel directly on the new Service 82; however, passengers will also have the option to travel on the 81 and then transfer to Service 18 at Bristol Parkway.

Here's a snag, though - there are hidden costs to some of these changes. Some people will now have to change buses at Yate, which will cost more unless they have season tickets.  What's more some routes are being taken over by First from Wessex, so they will no longer offer the £1 single / £1.50 return Hopper tickets within Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

Rodford Way accident spot to be investigated

Many local drivers have had "near misses" at the offset junction between Rodford Way, Shire Way and Sundridge Park.

The Frome Vale Area Forum has agreed that this junction should be investigated as a priority under the local highways schemes. We'll let you know when we hear about progress.

Safety improvements for Dodington Road

There was good news at last night's Frome Vale Area Forum for residents campaigning for safety improvements around the railway bridge on Dodington Road, Chipping Sodbury.

Local resident Stephen Gregson, pictured left with ward councillor Claire Young, spoke about the most recent accident and urged members to take action.

Members agreed funding to create a 70m hard surfaced pavement from the access to the school playing field to a safer crossing point, where dropped kerbs will be installed. Currently pedestrians have to cross on the bridge where visibility is poor.

Westerleigh Road - temporary closure at approach to Ring Road

Westerleigh Road is expected to be closed between its junctions with Coalsack Lane and Cookes Lane for one week from the 11th April - this is roughly the stretch from Henfield Crossroads to the motorway.

The closure is to allow drainage repair works to be carried out.

New play equipment for Lilliput Park

The old play equipment for 8 to 13 year olds at Lilliput Park is falling apart due to the wood rotting. It's been there for many years, and now Dodington Parish Council is planning to replace it with modern equipment.

The Parish Council has just been awarded £20,000 for this project by the Frome Vale Area Forum, financed by the New Homes Bonus. A big thank you is due to all our local councillors who supported this!

The Parish Council is consulting local children and residents near the Park about the exact equipment to put there. There are two designs, both modern and imaginative, and the Council would like the children to have the main say. The consultation closes on 19 March.

If you want to know more about the project please contact Cllr Paul Hulbert on paul.hulbert@gmail.com or telephone 01454 315851.

Get some fresh air and help the environment!

Cllr Paul Hulbert and wellies, clearing a stream at Wapley

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and the Wildlife Trust organise regular work days. There’s something for everyone, from digging and pruning to litter picking. Here are a couple of events to get you started – all you need is stout footwear or wellies, and gloves if you have some!

Saturday 15 March - Wapley Work Morning
General management tasks with the Conservation Group, including a spring clean  to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve. Meet at the Shire Way gate at 10.00am.

Saturday 12 April 2014 - Goose Green Spring Clean
As part of the Wildlife Trust’s commitment to this local grassland and wetland nature reserve they will be clearing paths and giving the reserve a general tidy up.  Please meet at the bridge on the reserve, west of Oak Close, North Yate, 10.00am.

Help to quit smoking

Next Wednesday, 12th March, is No Smoking Day.

Smokefree South Gloucestershire offer free support to stop smoking through local GP surgeries, pharmacies and specialist appointments and groups in the community. From 11am to 4pm there will be an event at Yate Leisure Centre to promote a healthy, smokefree lifestyle. There will be carbon monoxide breath testing, blood pressure checks and fitness challenges throughout the event. For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/smokefree

40th celebrations for Yate Leisure Centre

On Sunday 9th March, it will be exactly 40 years since Yate Leisure Centre opened.

From 12 noon onwards there will be a free programme of fun events for all the family and you will be able to swim for just 20p, the price in 1974. Funds raised will go to the British Heart Foundation.

To find out more call 0300 333 0300.

Neighbourhood Watch

Not in a Neighbourhood Watch area? Maybe YOU could start one.

Want to find out more? Call the police on 01454 864404, talk to your local PCSO or check out the police website for more details.

Hospital Transport Scheme

Green Community Travel now manages a dedicated door-to-door Hospital Transport Scheme Monday to Friday to Southmead, Frenchay, BRI, Oncology and Bristol Eye and Dental Hospitals. You can pre-book by ringing 01454 228706, or email admin@greencommunitytravel.co.uk for more information.

Information regarding all their services can be found online at www.greencommunitytravel.co.uk and on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/greencommunitytravel

Wheels to Work

Transport costs can be prohibitive for people who are unemployed or in training. Perhaps one of these schemes could help:

Bike loan scheme – You can borrow a decent hybrid bike from Bristol Bike Project, for two months to start with.

Bus ticket scheme - If you need help with specific journeys, such as interviews, careers fairs, workplace training or the start of a new job, then you may be able get a free bus ticket.

For the bike loan and the bus ticket scheme you will need to be referred by trainers, work clubs etc who are associated with the Wheels to Work scheme. Email wheelstoworkwest@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 868244 to find out about these two schemes.

Loan to Buy Scooter Scheme – This is for people who have been offered a job or have started a job in the last 4 weeks, after being a job seeker. If you are struggling to get to your job and either live or work in Bristol or South Gloucestershire then you may be eligible. You can apply online at: www.travelwest.info/scooterrequest or contact the Wheels to Work team.

Flood Risk – have your say about vulnerable areas

South Glos Council is developing a Flood Risk Management Strategy, and they are keen to hear your thoughts and experiences on areas in South Gloucestershire that have been flooded in the past or that may be vulnerable to flooding in the future and how you think these risks should be managed.

You can have your say online here

Witches Hat Play Area

Yate Town Council is considering making improvements to the play area to provide more for very young children and for teenagers. There are no firm plans at the moment, but local young people have been asking for a mini skateboarding area. Other ideas include a sandpit, play equipment for a wider age range and landscaping to increase the opportunity for nature play.

Area Forums - your chance to get involved

At the coming round of Area Forums there will be updates on the Local Transport Capital Programme, Small Grant awards, the New Homes Bonus grants scheme and funding for youth activities. As always, there will be an open session where you can put any questions to councillors and officers.

Why not come along, join in the debate and have a say where local funding is spent. Our area is covered by the Frome Vale Area Forum, which will be meeting at 7pm on Thursday 6 March at Shireway Community Association, Yate.

Changes ahead for Rodford Way mobile phone mast

Vodaphone and O2 have been in contact to say that the controversial Rodford Way mobile phone mast will be upgraded for the new 4G network.

It’s not yet clear what the changes will be – they say it might be just extra cabinets, or they might have to increase the height of the mast.

We’ll let you know when we know more about their proposals. Maybe you are concerned, or perhaps you are keen to get 4G in the area - either way, please let Cllr Paul Hulbert know your views on 01454 315851, email paul.hulbert@gmail.com.

Nominate your community hero

There is still time to nominate your community heroes for the Chair's Community Awards, but hurry, the deadline for nominations is Friday 21 March.

The annual awards event celebrates the hard work and dedication of volunteers in the community who display outstanding commitment in giving up their time and effort to help others. Suggestions for nominations include those who have contributed to community development, promoting equality, arts, sports, play, environment, working with older or young people, advice and advocacy or have simply been a good neighbour. From charity fundraisers to local football club managers, sports coaches and arts festival organisers, these awards have seen South Gloucestershire Council honour the dedication and commitment of hundreds of unsung heroes across the district.

You can nominate online. The winners will be invited to a ceremony at the South Gloucestershire & Stroud College WISE campus in Filton on Sunday 18 May.

Changes at Abbotswood Post Office?

The Post Office is consulting about changing the arrangements at Abbotswood Post Office. There would no longer be the screened counters. Instead there would be a till on the main retail counter.

This would mean that Post Office services would be available for much longer (Mon – Sun 06:00 – 22:00) but a few facilities would be lost, for example you wouldn’t be able to pay by cheque.

You can comment online at postofficeviews.co.uk quoting branch number 16351199, write to “FREEPOST Your Comments” (Yes, that’s it, the shortest address we’ve ever seen!), phone 08457 22 33 44 or textphone 08457 22 33 55.