Superfast broadband update

This is the latest update from Connecting South Gloucestershire, a government supported programme bringing faster broadband across South Gloucestershire where it is not economically viable for commercial companies to provide it:

Work is progressing well and over the last month we’ve delivered fibre in Almondsbury, Chipping Sodbury, Downend, Thornbury, Totteroak and Wickwar.

Once fibre has been laid, residents should contact their chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP) directly to see what broadband speeds and packages are available to them.

Important: Not all premises within these areas will get fibre as part of this phase of work and broadband speeds will not automatically improve. Individual householders should check options via the Openreach website and where appropriate contact their chosen ISP directly. There are useful sources of information to guide you through this process on our website

Wayleave, road closures, weather and ducting

The last month has highlighted just how complex a task installing fibre can be.

We’re working hard with local residents and land-owners to gain access to privately-owned land we need to cross to install fibre in a number of areas across South Gloucestershire. This is a time-consuming process, which in some cases has required Openreach to seek legal permissions via a Wayleave.

We’ve also had to gain permissions to close a road which will allow us to deliver broadband to parts of Codrington. We’ve made good progress here and work to complete the deployment is ongoing.

Similarly, on Sodbury Common we have encountered additional work required on some ducting. Again, this work is underway and due to be completed very shortly.

Phase 3: broadband is coming to even more areas

Last July, we secured additional investment to bring ultrafast and Next Generation Access broadband to approximately 4,300 additional homes and businesses in South Gloucestershire by the end of 2018.

Our partner, Openreach has now confirmed which areas will be included within this phase of work. As with previous phases, not all premises within postcodes will be upgraded and individual householders/businesses should check via the Openreach website.

Rural broadband latest

There is good news for some of our villages, with fibre broadband being delivered to new parts of communities including Coalpit Heath, Codrington, Dodington, Tytherington and Westerleigh. To find out what broadband speeds and packages are available to you, contact your chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP). Note that broadband speeds will not automatically improve, you need to order a suitable package.

Some parts of Codrington have had their upgrade delayed due to the need to close a road. They hope to complete deployment in Codrington by the end of February 2018.

An extra 4,300 homes and businesses will get ultrafast and Next Generation Access broadband by the end of 2018 and Openreach have now confirmed which areas will be included. As with previous phases of the scheme, not all premises within postcodes will be upgraded and individual householders/businesses should check via the Openreach website.

For more information on the rollout of broadband across South Gloucestershire see this website.

Codrington Broadband update

It's hoped that work to upgrade broadband in Codrington will be finished by the end of this month.

To check whether your house or business is being upgraded, use the Openreach line checker at:

https://www.homeandbusiness.openreach.co.uk/fibre-broadband/when-can-i-get-fibre

If it's not available, try again later. When working, if you are being upgraded it should show "In scope" and state that an FTTP solution is being used (that is, fibre to the premises, rather than just to the nearest green box). Note that there is still the possibility that technical issues stop your property being upgraded.

Once the infrastructure work is complete you will need to order an FTTP package from an ISP. An Openreach engineer will then need to visit your property to replace the line with a fibre optic cable and install a box inside your home.

(Note - We appreciate that most of our visitors are from the urban area, but some local people who have broadband problems of their own have been interested in what's happening in the villages. Hence this post appearing on this blog)

Consultation on changes to Gibbs Lane weight limit

A consultation has started on changes to the Gibbs Lane, Codrington weight limit.

The aim is to implement an enforceable 7.5 Tonne weight restriction, to prevent Gibbs Lane being
used as a through route by HGVs. As with all environmental weight limits, HGVs will still be
permitted to load/unload at premises along Gibbs Lane. The proposed scheme is to amend the
existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the weight limit on Gibbs Lane and to install new
signs.

You can find out more and have your say here until 28th August.

More roadworks on B4465 Codrington road

South Glos Council will be undertaking essential works on the B4465 between 3 and 14 July. For quite a bit of the time the road will be closed at two locations:

Site ‘A’ is at Watts Barn, where works involve the installation of road gullies and a new drainage system.

Site ‘B’ is located in Codrington village itself. The works comprise of carriageway reconstruction / resurfacing. The limits of the surfacing are from the Wishing Well Public house westwards for 500m through the village.

The closure times etc are as follows:

Local premises will shortly receive a letter with more details.

More of B4465 Westerleigh Rd to close for resurfacing

There are going to be road works on another length of the B4465 Westerleigh Road from just west of Codrington to just east of Springs Farm.

The usual alarming notice says that the closure "will be operative from the 3 July 2017 for a maximum period of eighteen months. The closure however may not be implemented for the whole of the period but only when signs are in position and only for so long as is necessitated by the works which are anticipated to be of 1 WEEK duration."

So one week in the next eighteen months - once again, if the warning signs are up, the road is closed; if they're not, it's still open.

The official diversion is incredibly long - via Emersons green, Coalpit Heath, Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the A46 - but that's really for heavy vehicles. Local people will doubtless know the short way round!

Sprint Triathlon for charity - 2nd Oct

On Sunday 2nd October, the Players Sprint Triathlon will be taking place at The Players Golf Club near Codrington. Consisting of a 750m open water swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run, it will be raising money for the West of England MS Therapy Centre. For more information visit mstherapybristol.org.uk/triathlon

Lower speed limits for Nibley Lane

Claire Young at Nibley Lane

Under the proposed road safety scheme for the B4465, Westerleigh Road and Nibley Lane, the current national speed limit on Nibley Lane between Badminton Road and Westerleigh Road would be reduced to 40mph. If you would like to look at the detailed plans or make comments, you can do so on the South Glos website. But hurry - the deadline for comments is Monday 21st March.

Residents who completed our surveys in the autumn were also worried about speeding in Nibley Lane between Nibley and Iron Acton. Officers are now investigating whether a 30mph limit could be introduced there, perhaps at the same time as a scheme to make Frampton End Road safer in response to the petition presented to South Glos in December.

Have your say on safety improvements on B4465, Westerleigh Road and Nibley Lane

After a long wait, you can now have your say on proposed safety improvements on some of our most dangerous local roads.

Local residents and your Focus Team have fought a long-running campaign for action to improve safety on the B4465 and Westerleigh Road. In 2008, Claire Young (pictured left with fellow councillor Sue Hope) presented a petition to South Gloucestershire Council signed by over 100 people. Claire has also been pushing for improvements on Nibley Lane.

Now the Council is proposing to lower the speed limit to 40mph from the Folly pub right through to the other side of Codrington and to 50mph from Codrington to the A46, just above the junction 18 of the M4. This is a change from previous proposals which would have seen 50mph limits at Henfield crossroads and between Westerleigh and Codrington. The speed limit on Nibley Lane will be reduced to 40mph. There are also changes to signing and road lining. You can view the detailed proposals and have your say on the South Glos website.

It’s just as important to comment if you support the proposals as if you object. Other people may object to things that you support and it’s important that the Transport Exec has the full picture when he makes his final decision. The deadline for comments is 21st March.