Church Road Frampton Cotterell bridge replacement latest

South Glos Council’s Highway Engineers are aiming to close the bridge starting on Sunday 20 July until Monday 1 September to enable the existing bridge to be demolished and replaced by a new hi-tech composite bridge deck over the peak holiday period.

Lessons were learnt from the closure at Easter and as a consequence the following key changes are being made:

• No other avoidable road works will take place at the same time on the diversion route;
• Large interactive display boards will be keep residents and drivers updated;
• Improved signage of the diversion will be put in place;
• Arrangements for bus service changes will be put in place in good time;
• The South Glos website will be kept up to date.

The new bridge will be re-opened under 3 way traffic light control to enable the parapets to be rebuilt re-using the original local stones which have been safely stored, the services (water, phone lines, broadband etc) to be relocated from their diversion via the temporary footbridge to under the new bridge deck and the pavements and road surface to be relaid. The plan is to reopen the road fully by the end of November.

You can read the council's press release here.

New Wapley allotments officially open

On Saturday the new Dodington Parish Council allotments at Wapley were officially opened by the council's Vice-Chair John Davis.

He was joined by Wendy Mayo, Clerk to the Parish Council, who did a huge amount of work to get the project up and running. There was also a representative from Merlin, who provided grants towards parts of the project, and of course there were allotment holders of all ages.

Claire Young was there as the local ward councillor. The land used to be part of the South Glos Council-owned Wychwell Farm. When the council decided to sell it off, as it was too small to be viable, Claire had a meeting with an officer and suggested the Parish Council might be interested in purchasing some of it for allotments. That was the easy part! It was then over to Dodington Parish Council to do all the hard work involved in a project of this kind.

The allotment holders are doing a fantastic job, looking at the thriving plots it was hard to believe they only started at Easter. As one of them commented, it really is bringing together people of all ages, from tiny tots to pensioners.

On the bus? Get online!

Most First buses in our area now have free Wifi under a scheme paid for by the Department of Transport, topped up by First. You need to search for available WiFi networks and select the one called "first wifi".  This will then take you to the log in page. You have to register the first time you use it, but after that you will be able to log in automatically the next time you travel. 

How about making the Minor Injuries Unit more obvious?

The NHS is trying to persuade us to make more use of the Yate Minor Injuries Unit in the Yate West Gate Centre, rather than travel to Accident and Emergency at Southmead, or to the Children’s Hospital if a young person is involved.

It would help though if they made the signs for it more obvious. Unless you’re a local you probably wouldn’t be able to find it easily – there are big signs for the doctors’ surgery and for the chemist, but only a small sign saying “Minor Injuries”.

New bus fares - Yate roadshow 27 June - but how reliable are they now?

Following a consultation, First Bus have announced new fares for our area. This Friday, 27 June, a roadshow to explain the changes will be in Yate shopping centre, from 10am to 4pm.   

The main changes are:

• The cost of single tickets will be based on the distance you travel within your chosen area.
• There will be no return tickets but First Day tickets will still be available and are probably the best option for multiple journeys.
• Up to 2 children under five travel free with each fare-paying adult or young person.
• There will be a 50% discount for children aged 5-15.
• There will be a 30% discount for 16-21 year olds and students.

Cheaper fares should make bus travel more attractive, but what's your experience of the reliability? We're hearing stories of delays on some services. If you regularly experience problems, please let us know by commenting below.

Free fruit tree pruning workshop 13 July, all welcome

Orchards are a South Gloucestershire priority biodiversity habitat because many orchards have been neglected or grubbed up in recent decades.

In order to help stem this decline, Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, Dodington Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council are now all working together to preserve the traditional horticultural skills that are needed to maintain existing and newly-planted orchards.

A free fruit tree pruning workshop is being held at the Wapley Rank cottages opposite the southern Besom Lane entrance to Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, Besom Lane, Westerleigh, South Gloucestershire, BS37 8RW, starting at 10am on Sunday, 13 July 2014. The workshop tutor will be local fruit tree expert Mr Graham White. No advance booking needed - just turn up on the day.

Festive Day Part 2 - Yate Community Music Festival

Some impressions from a very busy Kingsgate Park this afternoon...

"Dockside" rocking it!

The more energetic were inspired to dance

Fun for all ages

Pure Dance Crew put on a splendid display

Festive Day Part 1 - Chipping Sodbury Festival Street Fayre and Carnival

Just a few highlights from the Chipping Sodbury Festival Street Fayre and Carnival. Well done to all involved!

Spitfire and Hurricane flypast

Dodington Parish Band

Bristol Pipe Band

Air Cadets looking very smart

The Mayor of Sodbury, Cllr Wendy Whittle

First prize float - Raysfield Junior School

Second prize float - Raysfield Infants School

Panache Steel Band

Let the festivities begin!

There will be quite a carnival atmosphere around Chipping Sodbury and Yate for the next few days as two of our major festivals take place.

Chipping Sodbury Festival is already under way, with everything from opera to rock, and from walks to talks. Here are few highlights from the many events:

• Sunday 15th June - Gloucester Cathedral Choir, St Johns Church
• Tuesday 17th June - Music In The Street, an evening of free  entertainment
• Saturday 21st June - All Day Street Fayre and Carnival  Procession (3pm) with Battle of Britain Spitfire and Hurricane flypast at 1.50pm
• Saturday 21st June - Last Night of the Proms, Town Hall
• Sunday 22nd June - Festival Cycle Rides - 25 miles, 12 miles and absolute beginners off highway 2 mile ride

For more details about all events and how to buy tickets please check out http://chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk

Meanwhile just up the road  Yate Community Music Festival will be taking place in Kingsgate Park next weekend. On Saturday 21st June local bands will be performing, plus a range of performances and many more entertainments including craft stalls, sports demonstrations and children's rides.The event kicks off at 12 noon and runs until 8pm.

On Sunday 22nd June there is Praise in the Park (10.30am-12noon) with local churches, then in the afternoon from 3pm to 5pm you can listen to bands and orchestras. Why not bring your picnic to the park too?

Time for go slow in Chipping Sodbury? Have your say on 20 mph speed limit, waiting restrictions and crossing facilities

South Glos Council is consulting on proposals for a new traffic management scheme in Chipping Sodbury. The plans include introducing a new 20mph speed limit around the centre of Chipping Sodbury and enhancing the existing pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of High Street with Wickwar Road and Broad Street. There would also be a new traffic calming feature on Hounds Road near St John's School and there are plans to introduce waiting restrictions around Chipping Sodbury.

For further information please visit www.southglos.gov.uk/chippingsodburytraffic  -  the deadline for comments is Friday 27th June.

A public exhibition will also be held upstairs in the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury this Monday - 9 June - between 2pm and 8pm. You will be able to talk directly to the scheme’s designers and provide feedback.