South Glos consulting on HGV parking ban on Rodford Way near Kelston Close

For years people living near this part of Rodford Way have been woken up in the early hours of the morning by heavy goods vehicles starting up - they've been using this stretch of road as an unofficial lorry park.

South Glos are now considering banning HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from parking there, and they want your views.

The consultation is open until 8th October - you can see the documents and comment here

Gypsy Patch Lane roadworks update

Further update from Metrobus w/c 14/10/2019:

"Three-way temporary traffic lights will be put in place on Gipsy Patch Lane from Monday 14 October. The lights will need to be positioned at the railway bridge and will include the junction with Station Road.

The temporary lights are needed by Wales and West Utilities whilst diversionary work is carried out on the gas main in preparation for the replacement railway bridge next year. The work is expected to take up to two weeks and the lights will be in operation around the clock.

It was hoped that this work could be completed without the need for traffic lights but for the safety of all road users this is no longer the case. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience.

All shops and businesses on and near Gipsy Patch Lane will be open as normal"

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The Cribbs Patchway Metrobus Extension project tell us:

"The three-way temporary traffic lights at the railway bridge on Gipsy Patch Lane are to remain in place for at least a further week. Contractors are currently installing crossings on Gipsy Patch Lane as part of preparation works for the bridge replacement next year. The extension to the temporary lights is needed to enable additional work to lower a utility cable.

Safety is paramount and given the limited space around the railway bridge the temporary lights help protect workers and members of the public whilst this work is completed. This additional work will not affect the project’s timetable.

The temporary lights will only operate Monday to Friday during off-peak hours and pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to pass under the railway bridge. Cyclists may be asked to dismount.

Once this work is completed the temporary traffic lights will be replaced with automated Stop/Go boards on Gipsy Patch Lane. These will only be used as needed when workers and machinery from the construction site need to safely cross Gipsy Patch Lane. Their use will be kept to a minimum and as far as possible will be kept to off-peak times.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued patience. We will continue to keep local residents, businesses and commuters up to date on the project.

All shops and businesses on and near Gipsy Patch Lane will be open as normal"

For further information about the project please visit www.southglos.gov.uk/cpmetrobus

You can now keep up to date via the project' new Facebook page www.facebook.com/sgloscpme

Bus fare victory in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury

Liberal Democrat bus campaigners are celebrating victory in their campaign for a cheap fare for bus journeys within the towns of Yate, Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury. From later this month people travelling on First Bus services will play just £1.50 for any single journey in town.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Thornbury & Yate, Claire Young, said:

"This is fantastic news for bus users in Thornbury and Yate. Last year's fare rises left them paying far more for a short bus journey than those in Bristol or Bath. It made people think twice about using the bus to go to the shops, adding to the congestion and parking problems. We pushed First Bus to give us a low flat-rate fare for journeys within town and we're delighted they're doing that."

Yate Town Councillor Chris Willmore said:

"We have fought for this in Yate for years, it's a key plank of our 'Let's Get Yate moving' plan. It was nonsense expecting people to pay a fiver to get to the shopping centre and back. Well done to First Bus for listening. Now we need to tell everyone about it and show bus bosses that cheaper fares work."

Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said:

"At this price, people will be happy to jump on a bus rather than face the hassle of finding a parking space in town. I'm glad First Bus have heeded our arguments."

Claire added:

"We are still pushing for the towns to have their own travel zones taking in nearby villages, like the zones for Bristol, Bath and Weston-Super-Mare. Flat rate "Rider" tickets allowing you to make as many journeys within the zone as you want in a day, week or month would help more people go by bus."

St Briavels Drive resurfacing to carry on for another week

 South Glos Council's Streetcare section have told us that the resurfacing works on St Briavels Drive have been delayed as there is considerably more reconstruction required than originally anticipated.

These works will now hopefully be completed on 17th September. In the meantime the bus diversions will continue.