Consultation on 30 mph limit for Frampton Cotterell

Many drivers from our area go through Frampton Cotterell on their way to and from Bristol. At the moment the stretch of the B4058 Bristol Road from the Church Road traffic lights almost to the Swan is 40 mph.

The proposal is to reduce the speed limit to 30 mph in order to cut the number of accidents. You can see the information and respond to the consultation here - it's open until 17th November.

Church Road Frampton Cotterell reopening

If all goes well the Church Road bridge should be reopened around midnight tonight (Sunday)

All the civil engineering work has been completed. The road surface is temporary until the various utility companies have re-diverted their mains, and the final surface will be laid.

Temporary barriers and 3-way lights are being installed on Sunday night. The vehicle messaging signs will automatically update to say "Church Road now open" at midnight.

All ready for the new school term - well done to all involved.

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.

Solar Farm planning application approved

The proposal we told you about back in April for a solar farm at Says Court Farm, in the countryside to the west of Nibley Lane, has now been approved by South Glos Council's planning committee.

The conditions were largely as in the report but with two additions (the conditions proposed by the Coal Authority and Network Rail). The condition about what should happen at the end of the 25 years was reworded so that it also required removal of the apparatus if the generation of power ceased some time before then.

During the meeting, officers also clarified the use of the community benefit fund. While still objecting to the application, Westerleigh Parish Council had negotiated on a "without prejudice" basis a community benefit of £1000 per MW generated, which could mean up to £17,500 a year for environmental projects to benefit the local community. Officers emphasised that their recommendation did not depend on this, it was a unilateral undertaking by the applicants, AEE Renewables. In the first year, £7000 will be available for ecological improvements on site, in conjunction with Avon Wildlife Trust.

Solar Farm application - have your say

AEE Renewables have submitted their application for a solar farm at Says Court Farm, in the countryside to the west of Nibley Lane.

You can view the details and make any comments you may have on the South Glos website. The closing date for comments is 1st May.

The best map is shown as "PLANNING STATEMENT(APPENDIX A: LOCATION PLAN)" - the South Glos location plans are muddy and not easy to locate the site from.

Do you drive through Frampton Cotterell? Beware more roadworks!

Between 12th and 23rd January 2009 there will be major roadworks on the B4058 Bristol Road, Frampton Cotterell, between Perrinpit crossroads (next to the garage) and Station Road, Iron Acton (the junction where you can turn off via Latteridge towards the A38)

The road is going to have the old surface planed off and a new surface laid. Temporary multi-way traffic signals will be in use at the crossroads, and two-way signals will be used as work progresses along Bristol Road.

Although the work will be restricted to off-peak hours, significant traffic delays are expected. Alternative routes will be kept clear of all but urgent other works.

Recent roadworks in Church Road caused big delays, and these January works are likely to do the same.