Better security, more information for Yate station

Sue Walker and Ruth Davis try out the new information help point

Yate rail campaigners have welcomed the news that CCTV cameras are to be installed at the town's station. The Friends of Yate Station were told at a meeting on Monday that eight cameras will be installed to increase security at the site, which has suffered repeated vandalism.

Lib Dem councillor Sue Walker, who chairs the group said, “I'd like to thank everyone who has worked to make this happen. Yate rail users were left out in the wet and cold this winter because the shelters were damaged, which shows how a few mindless vandals can make waiting for a train a misery for everyone. I hope criminals will think twice when these cameras are in place."

She added, "The station has been without a ticket machine for some time thanks to vandalism. First Great Western said they wouldn't replace it while there were no CCTV cameras on site. I hope once there are that they will think again."

Meanwhile, a new station information machine is now in action. It has a real-time information display, and you just have to press a button to talk to the information line. Sue Walker said "It's great. We could have done with it last week when the train to Cardiff didn't come - the Friends of Yate Station have been trying to get this for more than two years"

Making South Glos Council more open

Your Focus team is campaigning for a more open South Glos Council. At January's meeting of full Council, Lib Dem Councillor Alan Lawrance won backing for all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests to be published on the Council’s website. Now Laddenbrook Councillor Howard Gawler is asking the Leader of Council to support the publication of any Council contracts or payments over £25,000, as is the case in some other Councils.

New website for Yate area

An excellent new website for the Yate area has just appeared - MyYate at www.myyate.co.uk. It's got local information and news, and welcomes event information from local organisations.

They are also compiling a local map that will be free from Ordnance Survey copyright restrictions.

Please check it out now - we're adding it to our "Local Links" in the sidebar.