The Week In - Issue 716 - 9th February 2022

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

9th February 2022

Issue 716

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‘Dismay’ as Bristol Airport expansion gets the go-ahead There has been strong reaction to last week’s announcement that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed Bristol Airport’s controversial expansion plans to proceed.

This lifts the cap from 10 million passengers a year to 12 million and will enable upgrades to the terminal building, parking facilities and public transport links.

Planning permission was originally refused by North Somerset but the airport lodged an appeal. A public enquiry lasting 36 days took place in Weston-superMare last summer.

West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris said he was “deeply dismayed” by the decision: “The Government’s lack of policy on UK airport expansion resulted in inspectors ignoring voices of local people and resolution of the West of England Combined Authority which I lead.”

He also said there needs to be an urgent national conversation on airport expansion.

North Somerset Council leader Cllr Don Davies said: “Having heard all the evidence and listened to both professional advice and the views of local residents, our planning committee voted to refuse the application to expand the airport's capacity beyond an as yet unreached 10 million passengers a year, being barely eight million prepandemic.

“The refusal was based on sound planning grounds and the firm belief that the detrimental effect of the expansion of the airport on this area and the wider impact on the environment outweighed the narrower benefits of airport expansion which sit almost entirely in the commercial interests of the owners, a foreign pension fund.

"At the inquiry, our team of specialist consultants, led by a senior QC, mounted a robust defence of the council’s position and it is extremely disappointing that

An airport protest in Keynsham in January 2020

the inspectors have overturned our decision and given the go-ahead for Bristol Airport to grow even further with all the associated noise, environmental and health impacts that entails.

“This simply flies in the face of local democracy and disregards the views of the local communities who fought equally hard to resist the expansion. It completely undermines our vision for a greener North Somerset, our determination to tackle the climate emergency and the target we have set for the area to be carbon neutral by 2030.

"We face a climate emergency and to countenance Continued on page 3

Also in this week’s issue

Cost of new recycling centre soars . . . page 4

Adverts on new ‘throughabout’ criticised . . . page 8

Bell ringers mark Queen’s accession anniversary . . . page 9

Campaign to reduce speed on the Wellsway . . . page 10

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The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

‘Dismay’ as Bristol Airport expansion gets the go-ahead Continued from page 1 yet more leisure flights that predominate from this airport is completely unacceptable from one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The airport's important role in the region’s economy would have continued without expanding beyond its current 10 million passengers a year limit.

“We are studying the inspectors’ decision to see if there are any grounds for challenge and will be working hard regardless to hold the airport to account to deliver their promises of reducing the carbon impact of the airport operation, especially around non-car travel to the airport, and the greenwashing promises of the airline industry to decarbonise which, in reality, will not happen in this decade."

The airport is owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. The Stop Bristol Airport Expansion group said it had received messages from many Canadian teachers who

are “appalled” by what OTTP is doing.

The Avon and Bristol branch of the countryside charity CPRE said: “The decision tramples on local democracy, makes a mockery of the UK’s COP 26 commitments and sets a precedent for other airport expansion plans.”

But James Durie, executive director of Business West, said: “The business community welcomes the go-ahead for Bristol Airport’s expanded capacity. The long-term success of our region’s key global gateway is essential for making Bristol and the West of the UK a place of choice for people to visit, live, learn, and invest.

“We have strongly supported and encouraged Bristol Airport's accelerated transition to net zero operations and cleaner aviation. We now look forward to working with the airport to ensure the economic and wider benefits from its long-term sustainable growth are felt by

Low-cost loans for energyrelated home improvements Residents in Bath & North East Somerset who are looking to make essential repairs or home improvements to decarbonise their homes may be able to access affordable finance through a councilbacked loan scheme.

The council is working with Lendology, a social enterprise lender, to offer residents low-cost energy loans to fund energyrelated home improvements.

The council has worked with Lendology since 2005 and has lent more than £676,896 to homeowners across B&NES to fund home repairs, improvements, adaptations and energy efficiency measures. More information on the loans and how to apply can be found on the council’s Energy at Home webpage or on the Lendology website www.lendology.org.uk

those most in need in our region.”

The airport says that expanded capacity will add 800 jobs, plus up to a further 5,000 regionally.

In a statement following last week’s announcement, the airport said it has made one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic compared to other UK airports and that expanded capacity will allow the airport

to explore new direct links to Europe and further afield, including the Middle East and North America.

“As well as providing economic links for our region, new routes will remove some of the eight million car journeys made from the South West to London airports that were made each year before the pandemic.”

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

Car crime in Hanham Thieves broke into a car parked on Henbury Road in Hanham between 8pm on Friday 21st January and 9am the following day.

A handbag that had been left inside was stolen and a debit card was used to purchase items.

And two men were seen on CCTV trying door handles and looking into vehicles

parked on Memorial Road in Hanham at around 5am on Saturday 22nd January.

Contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have any information.

Police remind drivers to ensure they remove all items from inside their vehicles and to make sure that they lock the doors and set the alarm if possible.

Correction In last week’s issue (page 7) we reported on the West of England Combined Authority committee’s approval of a new pay structure for the position of Regional Mayor. We said that the recommendations were approved by the committee with only South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage voting against. He did not vote against the decision but abstained.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

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Recycling centre costs soar

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.

Plans to build modern and environmentally friendly recycling facilities at the site of the current Keynsham waste site have risen by £9.2m, it has emerged.

The extra money – which takes the project to nearly £40m – is set to be agreed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet this week.

The council says in a press release: “The uplift is required to align with current market prices in response to national increases in labour and material costs as a result of COVID-19 and to deliver the proposed development in full. It also ensures measures to tackle the climate and ecological emergency are retained as a priority, as well as compliance with planning consent.”

Planning consent for the Pixash Lane site was granted last July. From mid-February contractor Farrans will begin preparatory work to secure and prepare the site of the Keynsham Recycling Hub in Pixash Lane.

The main works are due to follow on from March and it is hoped the work will be completed in autumn 2023.

The site will include a new reuse shop,

alongside the new public recycling centre, which is planned to open at the end of 2022.

It will also give residents improved recycling choices and help meet the council’s climate and nature emergency commitments.

Residents in Bath and North East Somerset are already bucking the national trend for the amount of material recycled in 2020/21, reaching an impressive Reuse, Recycling and Composting rate of 59.2%, the highest since records began.

Cllr Dave Wood, joint Cabinet member for Climate Emergency & Neighbourhood Services, said: “Our waste modernisation and improvement programme delivers longoverdue investment in the council’s operational and public waste facilities. We are investing £39.1m in the new waste and recycling hub which will make it easier for people to recycle. It will also allow us to expand our service range in the future helping us to improve on our already impressive recycling rate. In turn it will also help reduce general waste, save on operational costs and play an important part in tackling the climate and ecological emergency.”

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The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers

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Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 sales.theweekin@gmail.com @theweekineditor

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The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

Council admits error over promised lighting in dark alleyways A council promise to improve dark alleyways in Keynsham

centre public realm scheme would include improvement to

designs for these passageways, notably land ownership. At

town centre was made in error, it has emerged.

lighting in the passageways from the High Street to Ashton

present they do not form part of the adopted highway.

Resident Richard Watkins was assured by a Bath & North East

Way and Back Lane.

“Improvements to these areas remains a priority for the council

Somerset Council officer back in February 2019 that the town

The email, seen by The Week In, added: “The community will

and we continue to look for ways resolve the issues. I am sorry

be involved in designing improvements to

for any confusion and miscommunication.”

the passageways and the exact specification

Mr Watkins has now written to local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg

will be defined as the project progresses.”

asking for help and explaining that he had initially asked for

However, when Mr Watkins asked the

lighting of Back Lane to be included in the Keynsham High

council last month for confirmation that the

Street scheme and was told it would happen.

street lighting projects referred to were still

Mr Watkins said: “If you walk through the corridor at night,

included in the Keynsham High Street

you are unable to see where you are walking and what you

regeneration scheme that is currently under

might be stepping in – e.g., broken Tarmac, dog fouling,

way, he was told by the project manager that

broken glass and occasional human vomit. If a person was of

the information provided three years ago was

the mind, it would be a perfect spot for a mugging. Please bear

“incorrect”.

in mind the majority of residents who live in the flats are

The manager said: “The passageways

elderly.”

between High Street and both Ashton Way and Back Lane were not included in the original scope of works, instead they were listed as complementary spaces that the council intends to bring forward as the opportunities present themselves.

The alleyway from the High Street to Back Lane

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

“There are a number of obstacles that

Library plans approved Plans for a single-storey extension to the front of Emersons Green Library in Emerson Way to provide space for a small group learning space have been approved.

currently prevent us from bringing forward

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Conservative Club lodge appeal to keep blue frontage Keynsham Conservative Club have lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State to keep the front of their High Street building blue after Bath & North East Somerset Council refused a retrospective listed building application last year.

The council’s planning committee had voted to refuse the

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application as it was considered not to be in keeping with the town’s heritage and conservation area.

Keynsham Town Council had been in support of the blue façade.

In their appeal statement, the club, also known as Club @ 22, say: “When the decision was taken to redecorate the front elevation to reflect the improvements that had been made internally to upgrade the image of the club, careful consideration was given to the colour.

“The existing colour was a very dirty cream/stone colour, which made the building look drab. The building is situated on a busy high street and suffers from continual vehicle pollution. After investigation, a photograph came to light, taken in the early 1970s showing the frontage painted blue. This was still the colour when the building was listed on 19th June 1975.”

The club say that they have received many positive messages of support from the community for keeping the façade blue.

A planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will decide whether to overrule B&NES Council or support its decision.

Houses planned at former religious hall site There are plans to demolish the former Brethren Meeting Hall at California Road in Oldland Common and build houses.

Four detached houses each with four bedrooms are proposed on the site which includes the hall’s car park.

The application says that the previous owners have now ceased use of the site, leaving it vacant and open to a change of use.

Prior to its most recent use, the site was used by Bristol Water following its use as part of the California Colliery.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

Popular restaurant looks to expand into neighbouring shop unit The owners of the Tandoori Garden

retired.

hampered by the lack of space and unable to

enhance the overall dining experience.”

restaurant in Keynsham have applied to

Tandoori Garden has been in the ownership

expand, but now has the opportunity to take in

The planning reference is 22/00163/FUL. The

Bath & North East Somerset Council to

and run by the Rahman family for more than

the adjoining ground floor premises which will

deadline for comments is 3rd March.

expand into the empty shop unit next door.

20 years. The family have also run Cinnamon

A planning application has been lodged to

restaurant in the High Street since 2016.

change the use of the old Trojan Blinds shop

The planning application for the unit next to

at No 43 High Street from retail to restaurant.

Tandoori Garden says: “The restaurant has

Trojan Blinds closed last year when the owner

been a popular local destination but has been

Last chance to try out e-bikes Groups

and

organisations

in

local

work, education or for leisure purposes.

communities that are looking for more

The e-bike trial will also allow those who

active ways to get around are being given

do not cycle to give it a go. E-bikes enable

an opportunity to trial e-bikes, thanks to a

the rider to travel with the assistance of an

new initiative led by South Gloucestershire

electric motor, making the journey far less

Council. The council is launching an e-bike

strenuous than a conventional bicycle. This

grant scheme where community groups can

will make cycling more accessible to those

bid for funding to hire e-bikes for up to six

who find physical exertion difficult.

months. The e-bikes, which are suitable for

Cycle training will also be available for free

leisure and commuting journeys, can be

from South Gloucestershire Council to help

used by members of the group, service

develop road safety skills.

users, staff, or other members of the local

To apply for the scheme or to find out more,

community.

visit https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/ebike-

The aim is to encourage people to consider

grant-scheme

more sustainable modes of travel for getting

Applications must be submitted by Friday

around whether they are travelling for

(11th February).

Appeal following fatal collision Police are appealing for information

Police would like to hear from anyone who

following a collision between two vehicles

saw what happened, or anyone who may

on the Kingsway in St George at 2.25pm on

hold dash cam footage of the collision or

Tuesday 1st February.

the moments leading up to it.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a man in

If you can help call 101 and quote reference

his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

5222025980.

Criminal damage

To Rent

Someone threw a rock through the kitchen window of a home on Dapps Hill, Keynsham, at around 11.20am on Sunday 23rd January.

If you have any information contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

7

‘Advertising signs risk more

LETTERS working day and on average there are 15

Save our snowdrops

parked. There are occasions when all spaces

Dear Becky I caught a man digging up some of the snowdrops on the corner of Church Road in Bitton, opposite Brewery Hill a few days ago. It was dusk and he had come prepared with bucket and trowel.

I did politely ask him what he was up to and he said he thought they were just wild snowdrops. I said they were planted by the community

for

the

community

with

donations from local gardens. He did take the few he had already dug out but think he went away then as only a couple of holes were visible. I checked the law and whilst it is not illegal to pick wild flowers in the countryside unless named scarce plants or in a protected nature area, it is illegal (or an offence) to dig them up without the landowner’s permission. The verges are owned by South Gloucestershire Council.

I suspect the man I spoke to was just ignorant of the situation.

The snowdrops are there for the Bitton community and drivers along the main road to enjoy.

A Bitton resident

We need proper and open consultation

are occupied. Thursday is the quietest day.

In a survey I conducted over three days in January, one in three customers had parked in the spaces outside.

“One in three of these said they would drive elsewhere (out of town) if they could not park easily in the street. So just over 11% would not shop here. I cannot afford an 11% drop in my sales. I hope you have read the letters in The Week In recently from shopkeepers and residents in opposition to aspects of the proposed scheme. There are many more local residents who support these views. I really think you should speak face to face with more shops and residents. Some shopkeepers will be nonchalant because we were all ignored over the one-way system in 2017 and Phase 1 (High Street) of this scheme. Others like me think there should be a public meeting. Can we please have some feedback?”

a meeting of the Hanham and Longwell Green Community Engagement Forum (CEF).

Organised by the council, CEFs are a chance for residents to raise any concerns and find out what is happening in their community.

A local resident told the public meeting he was “really shocked” that despite all the concerns already raised about trying to navigate around the throughabout, the council had decided to put adverts on it as well.

He said he understood the need for the council to raise money but added: “There are so many signs, so many multiple traffic lights, so many lanes, lanes saying the road number and then saying west on the ground when in fact you are going south … everything about it is an absolute nightmare for signage so for South Glos to actually put adverts to compound that situation is unbelievable from a safety point of view.”

There is another questionnaire for residents, but only in Riverside View and Carpenters Lane, so I cannot fill it in despite living locally. Many others residents will also be affected by these changes such as those in sheltered housing around Sherwood Close or St. Keyna Court. Do their views matter?

Also, what about the people who use Temple

Dear Editor

Street? Today I saw a car pull up in the

The Keynsham High Street Heritage Action

extended parking outside Perfect Fit to let an

Zone Manager has sent the Temple Street

elderly and infirm lady shop there. She won't

business owners a letter, inviting us to fill in

be able to do that if the current proposal is

an online questionnaire about parking. It

adopted. There should a full public

asks basic questions like how often we have

consultation and meeting not a narrow band

deliveries. It does not ask if we need the

of questions to a narrow band of residents.

parking. At the end of the questionnaire it

The opinion of this narrow band could be

asks if we have any other information about

very different to many locals who live within

the parking. This is my response.

walking distance who use the street

“I count the number of vehicles parking in

regularly.

the TSIP (Temple Street Improvement

Chris Oliver

Project) zone two or three times every

Keynsham Hardware

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The addition of advertising signs on the controversial Wraxall Road throughabout at Warmley risks yet more “distraction and confusion”, according to the RAC Foundation.

The controversial £6.9m throughabout on the A4174 Ring Road – the first in South Gloucestershire - opened last October and some alterations were made shortly afterwards following complaints from motorists that it was confusing.

Now concern about advertising signs which have recently been placed on the throughabout with the permission of South Gloucestershire Council, has been raised at

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

distraction and confusion at Warmley throughabout’

We asked the RAC Foundation - a transport policy and research organisation which explores issues relating to roads and their users - for its opinion. This week its director Steve Gooding told us: "The road ahead needs to be easily understandable when viewed through the windscreen. Any driver encountering this junction for the first time might reasonably ask whether traffic engineers were attempting to be too clever by half, and the addition of advertising signage risks yet more distraction and confusion.

“The situation will only become clear some time down the line when traffic flow and safety impacts are measured."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “Sponsorship signs were installed at Wraxall Road roundabout in 2014 following a planning application and highways assessment.

“They were temporarily removed while our £6.9m investment to reduce congestion, increase traffic flow, and improve air quality at the junction took place, but they were re-

installed following the successful completion of the work.

“Forty other junctions in South Gloucestershire feature similar signs and all sponsors are small, local businesses and franchises. This supports the local economy as well as generating revenue that is invested back into council services, delivering value for money for council taxpayers.”

The council announced last November that it was reviewing proposals for five more junction improvements along the Ring Road between Longwell Green and Lyde Green, including three more throughabouts. It followed a public consultation on the proposed £30m scheme which nearly 900 people responded to. An overwhelming number of respondents were against it.

The council said it would continue to monitor and evaluate the Wraxall Road throughabout to help inform the wider A4174 improvement scheme.

Bells ring out for Her Majesty The bellringers of St John’s Church in Keynsham marked the 70th anniversary of the accession of the Queen last weekend with a special ringing on Saturday afternoon.

Pictured here are (L to R) Jon Fry, Louise Tamblin, Ann Dowding, Chris Jones, Helen Ibbunson, Jane Betteridge, Edric Broom, Liz Fearns, George Colbourne, Jon Duerr.

See also page 12

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 13th February

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

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Hundreds back road safety campaign More than 400 people have so far signed a petition calling for the Wellsway in Keynsham to be made safer for all road users and local residents.

The Keynsham Road Safety Campaign say that they have launched the petition to improve safety near the blind bend at Uplands following more than two years of “discussions, prevaricating and empty promises” from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The council currently has plans to reduce the limit from 40mph to 30mph only as far up the Wellsway as The Homestead, which campaigners fear will make the situation worse as motorists will still be accelerating out of the 30mph stretch by the time they reach the bend on the edge of Keynsham.

Crossword

Campaigners want to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph right up to the edge of the town where the ‘Welcome to Keynsham’ sign is, along with flashing signs to alert motorists of the speed limit.

Uplands residents Rachel Stokes and Jim Fear say they often hear the screeching of tyres and horns beeping and say there are regular accidents on this stretch of the B3116, including head-on smashes.

They were told last May that Cllr Manda Rigby, who is B&NES Council Cabinet member for Transport, had accepted their argument and would action the change of position for the new 30mph zone as soon as possible.

However, when they asked for an update last November, they were told by a council highways officer that this length of the

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Imitator (7)

1. Took prisoner (8)

8. Encroach (7)

2. Lavish (5)

9. Feathers (7)

3. Holding device (5)

10. Signified (7)

4. Craft technique (3-3

11. Miserable (7)

5. Overt (4)

14. Garland (3)

6. Science of physical structure (7)

16. Amongst (4) 18. Couch (4) 19. Wild party (4) 20. Small measure (4) 21. Negative word (3) 23. Perils (7) 26. Lost weight (7) 28. First letter (7) 29. Gastronome (7) 30. Asian river (7)

Wellsway is rural in nature and does not lend itself to a 30mph speed limit.

In their petition, which is addressed to Cllr Rigby and the highways department, the campaigners are also calling for a pavement from Uplands to Courtenay Road to enable pedestrians to access the byway near the Uplands bend, which joins the Chew Valley walking routes. The byway is also used by motorbikes and four-wheel drive vehicles.

The petition says: “Properties on both sides of the road have hidden entrances with restricted visibility, forcing residents to essentially block the road in order to pull out. This section of the road has seen an increased number of families with young children move into newly developed properties in recent years, and the current speed limit of 40mph is no longer appropriate for the volume of traffic entering and leaving these properties.

“Furthermore, Wellsway is extremely popular with cyclists,

7. Lifeless (4) 12. Particle (4) 13. Scheme (4) 15. Jot (4) 16. Eagerly excited (4) 17. Melt (8) 18. Rescuer (7) 22. Curiosity (6) 24. Town near Inverness (5) 25. Decree (5) 26. Exhale loudly (4) 27. Act without words (4)

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The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

for the Wellsway and motorists aiming to drive at 40mph often attempt to overtake them on this blind bend. It is only a matter of time before this causes a serious accident.”

The petition is at https://tinyurl.com/yc452av6 Residents have also raised their concerns with local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

This week local councillor Andy Wait said he and fellow ward member Hal MacFie have actively campaigned for safety measures on Wellsway “which we consider to be a dangerous road, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists near to the New Inn end of the road. There is also a problem with speeding traffic further up Wellsway, towards Burnett.”

He added: “We have urged officers of the council to increase the 20mph speed limit to beyond the Chewton Keynsham turning and 30mph to a point south of the Courtenay Road

junction.

“Officers have agreed in principle but where the 30mph speed limit ends is the point of disagreement between B&NES officers, residents, and councillors.”

Bikes stolen from garage

Burglar disturbs neighbour

Two men were seen on CCTV breaking into a garage in Horwood Court, Barrs Court, at 5.30am on Saturday 29th January.

Two pushbikes were stolen, a red Stunt Jumper 2017 and a grey Whyte 801.

Contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have any information.

A resident of Balmoral Road in Keynsham reported hearing noises coming from next door at approximately 8pm on Thursday 27th January.

On police arrival found that someone had forced a rear window and stolen jewellery, cash and a television.

If you have any information contact the police on 101 or you Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

Break-in and criminal damage Two men were seen on CCTV breaking into a home in Streamside in Mangotsfield at about 2am on Monday 17th January. They got in via patio doors at the rear and stole a handbag from the kitchen. And someone wearing a balaclava arrived on an electric scooter and threw a rock through the front window of a property in the same road at approximately 2pm on Sunday 23rd January.

If you have any information on these crimes call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Greens prepare for 2023 elections after Ring Road campaign The Green Party in South Gloucestershire say that with local elections coming up next year, they intend to build on the momentum of their campaign against the council’s £30m expansion plans for the A4174 Ring Road.

Siân Harris, a member of the local Green Party, has written about the action taken by a small group of local members which led to a petition that drew cross-party support and was signed by almost 2,000 people.

The council’s public consultation on the proposed scheme for “improvements” to five roundabouts along the A4174 in South Gloucestershire drew nearly 900 responses, with an overwhelming number of people against the scheme. The council subsequently announced a review of its proposals.

Writing for Green World, the membership publication of the Green Party, Siân Harris says: “Although our local council has declared a climate emergency and tried to set the Ring Road plans in the context of their climate strategy, in reality, the ‘improvements’ proposed only really catered to cars.

“The plans included no additional provision for public transport, and indeed came at the same time as some significant cuts to local bus routes. They also made no changes to the provision for cyclists and pedestrians beyond the removal of one footpath crossing.

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“We saw no evidence that the changes would reduce vehicular usage of the road; in general, increasing capacity on roads has the opposite effect, raising concerns about air quality for those who live or work near the Ring Road. Air quality around this road is already poor, and this would be compounded by the loss of hundreds of trees for the building work.”

She continued: “It was clear that action needed to be taken.

But in South Gloucestershire, the Green Party is still small.

We only have about ten active members and, due to the pandemic, many of these active members have never met each other in person. Crucially, we have no district councillors so no decision-making power about these plans.”

She added: “We celebrate now the triumph of a campaign led by a small group of local activists with no district councillors.

But we know that the fight continues; we need to keep pressure on the council to ensure that, if a version of these plans comes back to the table, it properly addresses the concerns raised by our group and by many local residents.

“And we have an opportunity to seize: the campaign dramatically increased awareness locally of our party, leading to more people joining and other members deciding to become more active. We now look to the 2023 local elections,

where hopefully we can build on this momentum and gain a stronger Green voice in decision-making for our local area.”

The Week in • Wednesday 9th February 2022

New Park & Ride opens Commuters can enjoy a more sustainable way to travel with the opening on Monday of the new Yate Park & Ride.

The new £4.5m transport hub, which has been funded through the West of England Combined Authority Investment Fund, will help reduce traffic along the congested A432 Badminton Road corridor by providing alternative travel options such as public transport, cycling or car sharing.

The new facility at Badminton Road is open seven days a week (excluding bank holidays) and includes 198 parking spaces and cycle parking for 46 bikes, as well as improved bus stops.

The site will provide an initial park and ride service using the existing bus network, with buses running approximately every 30 minutes. The A432 corridor between Bristol, Yate and Chipping Sodbury will continue to benefit from investment in public transport over the next five years, which will see bus service provision improve.

The car park is also available for rail users at Yate Station, which is an eight-minute walk away. In the coming months further facilities will be installed at the Park & Ride including 38 electric vehicle charge points, a car club and click and collect lockers.

Birmingham Good Ofsted man fined for report for waste offences studio school in South Glos A 52-year-old man from Birmingham has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £500 in costs by Bristol Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of illegally transporting scrap metal in South Gloucestershire.

Gabriel Baloi, of Queens Head Road, Soho, failed to attend court and was sentenced in his absence for transporting the waste metal without a scrap metal dealer licence, or a registered waste carrier licence.

Baloi was stopped by the police while driving his Ford Transit van in Mangotsfield last October. Police found scrap metal in the rear of the vehicle which Baloi admitted collecting to transport it to a dealer in Birmingham for payment.

In addition to not having the relevant licences to transport the metal, it was found that Baloi did not have insurance for the van he was driving, which was seized and later crushed by the police.

The matter was referred to South Gloucestershire Council regarding prosecution for the licence offences and the matter was taken to court by the council’s Envirocrime team.

Digitech Studio School in Warmley has been judged as Good following a recent Ofsted inspection.

The school, which opened in 2014 and is run by the Cabot Learning Federation, was judged as requiring improvement after its first inspection in 2017.

Now the school is rated as Good in all the categories that Ofsted looked at – the quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; and sixth form provision.

The report highlights: “Pupils, staff and parents are proud of their unique school. Pupils say differences are not just accepted at Digitech, they are celebrated.”

The principal Lis Jolley is said to have an ambitious vision for the school that is shared by staff, pupils and parents. “Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and the positive impact the school has on their children.”

Pupils typically join the school from other secondary schools in Year 10.

The school has 545 pupils on the roll, 379 of whom are in the sixth form.

Earlier orders Speed calming work Acacia Road in Staple Hill will be closed from next week for long-awaited speed calming measures to be introduced.

It will be shut to traffic between the High Street and Portland Street from Monday (14th February) to 4th March for speed cushions to be installed.

Bar 501 in Staple Hill has applied to South Gloucestershire Council to vary its premises licence so that alcohol can be served from 10am every day instead of 11am.

Situations Vacant

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