Rodford Way No U-turn Consultation

South Glos has already gone some way towards stopping dangerous U-turns across the Rodford Way dual carriageway by putting an island in the mouth of the Abbotswood junction, which was the favourite turning place.

It hasn't totally solved the problem yet, because some people are still doing U-turns - we even saw a large articulated vehicle do it the other day. Even worse, some of the drivers are going through the wrong gap in the central reservation and meeting legitimate turning traffic head-on, or turning through the three-way Sundridge Park / Rodford Way / Shire Way junction. There have been a number of injuries, both motorists and cyclists.

It is proposed to put legally enforceable "No U-turn" signs for eastbound traffic at the central reservation gaps near Abbotswood, Glenfall, Bredon, Sundridge Park, Dovecote and also at the eastern end of central reservation near the Scott Way roundabout.

You can see the plans and the explanation on the South Glos website. The consultation is open until 12 February,

Some progress on protecting Rodford School site trees

All the relevant South Glos officers went to the site yesterday to meet the Bellway Homes planning manager and specialist consultants dealing with the ecology matters and tree protection. Local residents have been very concerned about what has been happening on the old Rodford School site - see our previous post "How much is a tree worth?"

They talked about the Ecological and Landscape Management Plan, which still hasn't been provided, to protect the boundary hedgerows and  provide  biodiversity enhancements.  It was agreed that there is minimal risk from the work to removing the hardstanding, so this can carry on over the next 6 weeks while the ELM Plan is being sorted out. Bellway has given assurances about protecting the protected trees during the work on the hardstanding.

Bellway will now provide South Glos with a detailed timetable (within the next few days) of key stages over the coming months including:

• When tree protection will be completed including additional fencing and signage. This is vital before any more sub contactors come on site to start the foundations.
• When the hard standing around the trees in the centre of the site will be undertaken. Bellway have confirmed that a method statement has been prepared for this work, and the contractor on site has been given clear instructions.
• When all the outstanding information will be submitted.

South Glos will be keeping a close eye on the site.

How much is a tree worth?

How much is a tree worth? Or a historic hedge, or local wildlife? Not much, some developers seem to think.

Take the Rodford School site, for example, which is being redeveloped into housing. We've already reported how valuable trees and habitat were considered less important than profits - at the planning stage local councillors were outvoted by others who don't live anywhere near here, and the developers were allowed to squeeze extra units onto the site despite the concerns about significant trees and hedges.

Now a second threat has revealed itself. Local environmentalists spotted that the builders were not complying with a lot of the habitat protection conditions required by their planning permission. A South Glos inspector visited the site, thought he had sorted them out, and went away. The local experts soon realised that the builders had started doing the same thing again, and had to ask the inspector to go back again.

We're now waiting to see what happens next. It's possible that the builders could be told to stop work altogether if they won't comply with their legal obligations.

Profit before people as trees chopped down on Rodford School site

If you live near the former Rodford School site, your local landscape has changed. Many of the trees on the site have now been cut down to clear it for the housing development.

The developers were given permission for this even though some of the trees had Tree Preservation Orders - many of the trees and hedges were there since before the estate was built.

All our local councillors voted to retain the trees with TPOs, but they were outvoted by the Tory and Labour councillors who don't even live around here. 

Edit 18/02/2015, as suggested by a knowledgeable reader: It's also important to make sure that the correct tree protection fencing is erected BEFORE any construction works start - if not they'll be in breach of planning condition. If anyone reading this sees diggers on the site before the fencing is up, please email paul.hulbert@gmail.com and we'll make sure it's reported. Thanks!

Residents and councillors watched the trees being cut down

Local councillors Tony Davis and Gloria Stephen.
You can see that they weren't impressed!

 

Rodford Way crash site in the cold light of day

Tony Davis at the bus stop -
it's still standing, but very badly danaged

We thought you might like to see the extent of the damage to the Rodford Way bus stop following Thursday evening's crash. It doesn't look too bad as you drive past, but when Cllr Tony Davis visited site to check it out it was clear that it's a write-off. We will report back when we know a bit more about the circumstances of the accident.

Yet another accident at Yate blackspot

At around 8.25 pm this evening (Thursday 15 January) a car collided with a bus stop on Rodford Way, Yate near the Abbotswood underpass. The car appeared very badly damaged and the bus stop was a write-off. The Police, Ambulance Service and Fire and Rescue attended but it is not known what the extent of injuries might be or whether anyone else was involved.

There have been numerous accidents at this spot, including one child fatality in 2008.

South Gloucestershire Councillor Tony Davis (Lib Dem, Dodington) said "Whatever the cause of this particular accident, the number of serious incidents along this short stretch of road means there could be serious underlying issues"

"When the circumstances of this accident become clearer we shall be calling for a full joint review of this road by the Highway Authority and the Police"

Update 16/01/2015: The Gazette reports "A man was treated at the scene for minor injuries" - sounds like a lucky escape.

Rodford School redevelopment - make your voice heard

Developers have submitted a planning application to build 49 houses and 9 flats on the former Rodford School site. The site is where the school buildings used to be, nearest to Barnwood Road. (The development does NOT affect the field between Chargrove, Glenfall and Prestbury)

Yate Town Council has objected to the housing on the grounds of design, layout and the density of the development.

There is also local concern about proposed works to remove Tree Protection Order status from some inconveniently located existing trees - presumably they would be cut down. The trees and hedges have historic value because they mark the old boundaries from before the estate was built. In fact we believe the hedges may date from at least 180 years ago.

The developers' own Ecological Assessment recommends retaining the more mature trees and two species-rich hedgerows, and Yate Town Council has objected to the trees being removed.

You can comment on the planning application here. From this page you can look at the plans and read all the relevant documents. Then you can click on the button "Make a Public Comment" to send your views to South Glos Council.

If you would like to talk to us about your concerns, please contact email Cllr Tony Davis on tony.davis@southglos.gov.uk or ring him on 01454 881415.

Rodford Way accident spot to be investigated

Many local drivers have had "near misses" at the offset junction between Rodford Way, Shire Way and Sundridge Park.

The Frome Vale Area Forum has agreed that this junction should be investigated as a priority under the local highways schemes. We'll let you know when we hear about progress.

Nibley Road closed Wed 26 September

Nibley Lane, a popular local cut-through, will be closed to traffic for deep cleaning on Wednesday 26th September. The length from Badminton Road to Westerleigh Road is expected to be closed from 9.30 am until 2.30 pm.

Don't forget - Rodford School plans drop-in tomorrow!

South Glos Council’s consultants, Kendall Kingscott and an officer from South Gloucestershire Council, will be at the library tomorrow, 7th August, from 3.00 - 7.00pm, to answer your questions about their plans for the Rodford School site.

Tell the officials what you think

• Fill in the survey form at the Library (but also keep a copy!)
• Email: the South Glos Officer in charge of the consultation: Chris.cox@southglos.gov.uk
• Write: South Gloucestershire Council, Property Services, The Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF 
• It’s really important for residents to let them know what you think of their plans. If you can’t get your views in by the deadline, then tell Tony as soon as you can - and he will  make sure your views count, whenever you get them to him.
• If you want to join Tony campaigning to stop this proposal, contact him. Together we CAN get our voice heard. 

Help fight plans for Rodford School

Yesterday we reported your views on what should happen to Rodford School and Wapley Court. But council officials and developers have other plans...
  
...and officials are only giving you 10 days to comment! 

South Glos want to sell it to developers for housing. If they are going to sell the land it’s important to make sure they know what it’s worth, so some developer doesn’t come along and rip off the taxpayers - so it’s right to work out what to do with it NOW - but  their housing scheme can’t be the right answer.

South Glos  are willing to keep the playing field  for open space, sports and allotments but want to:

• Scrap the landscaping put in by local residents, pupils and parents along Barnwood Road 
• Build 66 houses (with just 101 parking spaces)  right up to the Barnwood Road edge of the site
• There’s no promise to keep the trees. 

Where to see their plans

You can find their plans online or at Yate Library but they’re only bothering to put it on show for just 10 days - until 10th August . That’s absurd,  particularly in the school holidays.

Tell the officials what you think

South Glos Council’s consultants, Kendall Kingscott and an officer from South Gloucestershire Council, will be at the library on 7th August 2012 from 3.00 - 7.00pm, to answer your  questions.

• Fill in the survey form at the Library (but also keep a copy!)
• Email: the South Glos Officer in charge of the consultation: Chris.cox@southglos.gov.uk
• Write: South Gloucestershire Council, Property Services, The Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HF 
• It’s really important for residents to let them know what you think of their plans. If you can’t get your views in by the deadline, then tell Tony as soon as you can - and he will  make sure your views count, whenever you get them to him.
• If you want to join Tony campaigning to stop this proposal, contact him. Together we CAN get our voice heard. 

Your spaces - your choice

In a recent Focus, Tony Davis asked for your views on what should happen to Wapley Court and Rodford School. Loads of residents phoned, emailed and sent back the survey form. Thank you to everyone. So, what was your verdict?

 

Your Verdict

	Rodford School	Wapley Court
Open Space	54%	31%
Social Housing	2%	5%
Redevelopment for Housing	4%	3%
Extra Care Housing for the Elderly	20%	46%
Commercial Development eg shops	0%	5%
Allotments	17%	10%
Special School	3%

Other suggestions included - skate park, sports area and changing rooms, petrol station, larger GP surgery, open air swimming pool, enclosed dog training area, sensory garden, formal gardens, youth centre, housing for older people.

Rodford School site consultation

South Gloucestershire Council is going to apply for planning consent for a possible future residential development on the site of the former Rodford Primary School, Barnwood Road, Yate.

The Council has appointed consultants to develop a concept plan and an outline planning submission for the site, and now it wants to consult with local residents. This is your opportunity to view the plan, raise any questions you may have and give your opinion.

Please note that the plan you will see is for overall concept only. This means that it is merely describing the issues to be taken into consideration in planning the development; it is not a plan of an actual proposed development on the site.

The concept plan will be on display at Yate Library, 44 West Walk, Yate, from 1^st – 10^th August 2012. ‘Comments Forms’ will be available for you to express your views.

The Council’s consultants, Kendall Kingscott who undertook the concept plan work will be present, with an officer from South Gloucestershire Council, at the library on 7^th August 2012 from 3.00 - 7.00pm, to answer any questions about the proposals for the site.

The consultation documents are available online here - the consultation closes on 17 August.

Rodford School demolition delays

Cllrs Alan Lawrance and Dafydd Holbrook
checking out the part-demolished site

Local people were concerned when work stopped recently at Rodford School and the site was left in a part-demolished state.

Apparently the demolition contractors have had problems - in particular they've been waiting for British Gas to do the final gas disconnection.

In the meantime South Glos has asked the contractors to tidy up the site, and to dampen it to reduce the amount of dust being produced.

Update 08/04/2011 - The gas has now been disconnected and demolition work has restarted. The last part of the building will be demolished early next week. As well as the fence aound the site, a security patrol will visit in the evening and over the weekend until the site has been fully cleared.

Rodford School - No need to involve the public, say Tories

Cllr Alan Lawrance at Rodford School

At a recent South Glos committee Lib Dem Councillors demanded the public should be involved in decisions that affect their communities. Lib Dem members asked for a concept statement to be drawn up before the Rodford Way School siteis disposed of. They said this would lead to consultation with the public but also provide a win-win situation as the Council might achieve a higher price if the land was sold with outline planning permission.

Cllr Alan Lawrance said, "We are in general agreement with the decision to raise valuable funds for the Council from the sale of the land; however what was missed was the expected engagement of the whole community. Especially as this school is in a priority neighbourhood, the Conservatives have missed an opportunity to really work with the community to provide regeneration opportunities and a focal point for community facilities and assets"

He continued, "I was very disappointed that the Conservatives felt there was no need to ask the public their opinion over what would happen in their community. I think the Council has failed in its duty to consult as there had been no attempt to involve the public"

However the Conservatives voted against this revision of the decision to proceed with sale of the land and during the debate, Cllr John Goddard (Cons Hanham) said, "In view of the fact we don’t want to see any cuts stopped we will vote against" (i.e. they voted against consulting the public)

Labour voted with the Lib Dems but were one short due to a clash of committee meetings, so the proposal failed. The sale of the land will go ahead with no further consultation.

However Yate Town Council has now agreed to bid for sports pitches including changing space and allotments on the playing field. They say they are keen to keep as much land as they can in the local community.