The European Election comes to Yate

We've been out campaigning today with Graham Watson MEP for the European Parliament election on 22 May. We've had some very positive reactions, except for the weather.

Graham Watson MEP (right) with Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert

Church Road Frampton Cotterell is open but...

The bridge at Church Road, Farmpton Cotterell has reopened (until the next closure later in the year) but only for single line alternate traffic controlled by traffic lights.

Our advice is still to avoid it during the rush hour if you possibly can.

Update 28 April: We understand that the traffic lights will stay in place until the bridge closes for demolition (now expected to be 28 July)

More delays on bridge works at Church Road, Frampton Cotterell

From South Glos Council on Facebook today:

"Following discussions with Bristol Water we have agreed to extend the Church Road closure in Frampton Cotterell for two days until 1400 on Sunday 27 April. This will allow crews to fill and close two large holes in the highway, which would otherwise need to have been done during the following week and would have required extensive roadside barriers and traffic signals. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works which will allow the planned replacement of Church Road bridge over the summer"

We have seen comments on Facebook saying that the contractors have not been working the extra hours promised, and indeed that they have been leaving site early.

Hatters Lane to close for a fortnight from Monday 28 April

Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury will be closed from Horse Street to Gorlands Road for about two weeks from Monday 28 April for footpath widening to be carried out.

As the Gazette reports, there's quite a bit of controversy about this.

Church Road Frampton Cotterell roadworks update

South Glos Council has announced that the first phase of works to replace the road bridge on Church Road, Frampton Cotterell, is to continue for a further week. The delay has been caused by unforeseen underground obstructions which have hampered work to divert utility apparatus (that's cables and pipes to you and me) from the existing bridge deck onto the adjacent temporary bridge.

Teams worked last weekend and will continue this Bank Holiday weekend to progress the works. It is anticipated that the bridge will reopen on Friday 25 April at 5pm and traffic diversions will remain in place until this time.

(But see latest update here)

Reminder - major bus changes from Sunday 13 April

As we told you recently, bus services in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area will change appreciably from this coming Sunday, 13 April.

This post amended 20 April - please see changes highlighted in yellow.

Click here to see the new timetables on the South Glos website, but both versions are showing until the changeover - please make sure that you look at the versions marked "From 13 April 2014" to see the new services.

For more detailed journey planning you can contact Traveline online or call them on 0871 200 2233.

For your convenience, our previous summary of the new services is repeated below (including some later clarifications now that we've seen the timetables)

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 some of the X27 service) 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 (unlike the 46 service, which starts from Yate)

Service X27 Yate - North Yate - Bristol
-    Reduced service running Mon-Sat only
-    Continues to Anchor Road

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

Service N47 (replaces N50 night bus) Bristol - Yate - Chipping Sodbury
-    Same service, different number.

Service X49 (replaces 689) Yate - Westerleigh - Pucklechurch - Bristol City Centre
-    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
-    But Chipping Sodbury service lost

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.

Yate Station reopening 25th anniversary coming up!

 

Yate Railway Station was one of the first in the country to reopen after the Beeching closures of the 1960s. This year is the 25th anniversary of the station's reopening in 1989 after a major campaign by local people.

On May 18th 2014 from 12.00 noon till 3.00 pm there will be a special celebration event organised by the Friends of Yate Station. It will feature stalls, a brass band, afternoon tea, vintage and railway display, a heritage tent to share artefacts and memories and a visit by Baroness Susan Kramer, Minister of State for Transport.

See Yate Town Council's website for more information as it is confirmed.