Flooding on Greenways Road

We hope this might now be over. After years of problems with water  coming from the Quarry direction across the road towards Wiltshire Ave and Dorset Way  - new ditches have been put in to try to prevent water reaching the road.
The Local Flood Authority (South Glos Council)  have got the quarry to carry out investigations. They identified a lot of water ponds at the top of the hill following use of the dust suppression machines (something we and residents had been pointing out). They are now going to carry out dye tests to see whether the water at the top is the source of the problem. They are going to monitor the new ditch over a period, and compare that with the dust suppression system use as well to see if there is a link.  The aim is to find a more permanent solution.
Meanwhile, let us hope the new ditch helps. Thanks to the dogged residents and councillors who have fought to get action - and to the officers who are on the case.

The photo shows the problem on the right, at the start of the works.

Quarry Stockpile Battle Latest

For 18 years, Focus, and local residents have been fighting to get a commitment to move the Stockpiles from the top of the hill between Wiltshire Avenue and Barnhill Quarry. Despite every attempt to manage the problems it creates, residents still suffer dust and noise. When Wiltshire Ave was planned environmental experts said the houses were too close to the stockpiles. They were ignored. So with residents we have been fighting to get a plan to move the stockpiles.....

In the latest round of the battle, Council officials were planning to give in to Hanson and let them stay for ever. But Chris Willmore from Focus spoke passionately at both Planning Committee and then Full Council. She persuaded the Councillors to tell officers to think again. So, Hanson and the Officers have been sent off to see if they can find a solution.

But Hanson have threatened to claim massive compensation from the Council if the Council even asked for a phased plan to move them...... There’s a complex legal test that decides if they could claim compensation - they have been told to come up with evidence to show they actually meet that test - rather than just asserting it! Lawyers are now involved on all sides.

All that we are asking as residents is a commitment to keep as much of their stone as possible in one of their holes (where it comes from) not move it up onto the hill top!

Chipping Sodbury Waitrose - for or against?

The controversial Barnhill Quarry development proposal provoked a lot of discussion at a recent public meeting in the Town Hall. It appears that local opinion is split for and against the Waitrose store and the housing development.

To gauge public opinion, Sodbury Town Council has circulated a voting slip to all households in the parish. they are asking for the papers to be returned to the Town Council by midday on Monday next week, 13 September.

The question is "Do you approve of the proposals for a Waitrose Store and residential housing on the Barnhill Site in Chipping Sodbury as per Planning Application PK10/1675/O?"

There are three options - yes, no and unsure. Please return the voting slip even if you're unsure, so that the Town Council knows whether the matter is of considerablepublic concern or not.

The details of the planning application are on the South Glos website here.