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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

19th April 2023

Issue 777

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Pothole hotspots in South Glos – with ‘over 50 in one road alone’ The safety risk to road users from an unprecedented

along Longbeach Road in Longwell Green.

pedestrians crossing the

number of potholes in South Gloucestershire has been

Cllr Hughes also flagged up the state of Cowhorn Hill in

road, especially at night.

highlighted.

Oldland Common, calling it “an absolute disaster” and said

This

Pothole hotspots in Longwell Green, Oldland Common and

that sometimes the council may decide that a road is in such

spokesperson for South

around Bitton and Beach were among those discussed at

a bad state that a completely new one is needed, rather than

Gloucestershire Council

Bitton Parish Council’s meeting last week, with Cllr Kim

filling in all the potholes.

told us: “This time of

Scudamore branding the state of some local roads as “Third

Cllr Erica Williams told the meeting that some of the potholes

year is traditionally busy

World”.

in Tower Road South, which runs on from Cowhorn Hill

in terms of repairing

South Gloucestershire Council repairs an average of 11,000

towards Warmley, are “so big I could sit in them”.

potholes as the cold and

potholes a year – far more than Bristol and Bath & North East

Meanwhile Golden Valley Lane between Bitton and Beach

wet weather over the

Somerset councils combined - and that figure looks set to rise

has many potholes and in one place a full-width chunk of

winter months takes its

even higher in 2023.

road is missing.

toll on our road surfaces.

Paul Hughes, who as a South Gloucestershire councillor has

Potholes can damage a vehicle badly if someone drives into

We repair around 11,000 potholes a year, although it is

been pushing for repair works to local roads, told the meeting

one without realising, causing punctures and affecting the

difficult to provide an exact number as repairs may include

that one local resident had counted more than 50 potholes

tracking and suspension. Councillors also discussed the

multiple potholes under one job. We have filled 17% more

danger to cyclists and scooter riders if they hit one, and to

potholes since the start of January compared to the same

week

Longbeach Road

period last year. “We are investing more than £12m in maintenance and improvements to the existing transport network this year, which includes funding to tackle potholes. Our crews are out five days a week and sometimes on weekends filling potholes and we undertake a rolling programme of work to maintain the area’s road network. “Four teams of StreetCare operatives routinely use around six tonnes of materials to repair local roads every day. During busy times we increase the number of teams repairing potholes and have eight teams working. “In July 2022, we launched an innovative new way for Cowhorn Hill

residents to report potholes and other issues on roads, Continued on page 2

Also in this week’s issue

Attempted rape in Hanham . . . page 2

Cancer charity fundraiser in Keynsham . . . page 3

Vandalism and trespass at Oldland school playing field . . . page 4

Safeguarding concerns at Keynsham pre-school . . . page 5

Pothole hotspots in South Glos Continued from page 1 footpaths and cycleways in the area. The new online reporting system enables people to quickly and easily report potholes, damaged surfaces, worn road markings, empty grit bins and similar problems. A photograph and additional information can also be added to help the council identify the issue. “Once a report has been made through the new system, issues are dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible, with up-to-date

Golden Valley Lane

information sent directly through to the

which measure 40mm deep (1.57 inches) and

tablets

300mm wide (11.8 inches or more).

investigation

StreetCare or,

operatives serious,

for

urgent

Anyone who believes their vehicle has been

resolution.” To report a pothole or road

damaged by a pothole can raise it as part of

defect in South Gloucestershire visit

the process when they report the pothole

www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit

online or via the StreetCare number which is

People are asked to only report potholes

01454 868000.

Potholes in Bristol and B&NES Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Donald Alexander, recently said that work is being carried out around the clock to fix Bristol’s roads. “Over the last 12 months, the highways team have repaired over 2,500 potholes on our roads, footpaths, and bridges and we’ve averaged an impressive 691 total defect repairs each month.” To report potholes in Bristol visit https://tinyurl.com/mr3ntyh9 Meanwhile Bath & North East Somerset Council repaired 2,638 potholes in 2022. To report one go to https://tinyurl.com/bdt2jzcd

Man wanted in connection with attempted rape Avon & Somerset Police have released an E-fit of a man who officers would like to speak to in connection with an attempted rape in Hanham. At around 10.10pm on Sunday 2nd April, police attended Lower Hanham Road after an unknown man attempted to rape a woman. He was interrupted by a light coming on and the victim was able to get away. Officers believe the man in the E-fit has information which could aid their investigation. He is described as black, in his late teens to early 20s, around 5ft 9in or 10in tall and of slim build with a short Afro-cut hairstyle. He was wearing a white hoodie, black trousers, and trainers. If you have any information or can identify the man in the E-fit, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223076747, or complete an appeals form on the police website.

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Park to lose 25 mature trees South Gloucestershire Council has announced that 25 trees in Jubilee Park in Cadbury Heath are to be chopped down, starting this week. The council is spending £500,000 turning the old pitch and putt site into a park to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the memory of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and his interest in wildlife and nature. It will include a community orchard, wildflower meadows and woodland garden of reflection. But a survey has identified 25 of the site’s existing trees have ash dieback disease and signs have been attached to those affected to make One of the trees that will be people aware that they will be chopped down removed. The council says that more than 150 trees will be planted in the park in the autumn and it is looking to commission a wood carving sculpture to make good use of one of the trees. This is scheduled to take place in August or September. The council also says that tree planting has already taken place in the park and can be seen near Queens Road – forming part of the late Queen's Green Canopy.

Show your support at charity coffee morning A charity coffee morning is being held at

friends.

Keynsham Cricket Club Pavilion on

really appreciated

Friday (21st April), one of a number of

all the support and

events being staged to support a young

treatment

doctor who has been diagnosed with

have received from

incurable bowel cancer.

all the staff at the

With the help of family and friends, 24-year-

Cancer Centre, the

old Daniel Money, a former pupil at

Oncology

Wellsway School, is supporting Cancer

ment Suite and the colorectal cancer services

Research UK. So far more than £13,500 has

team at the Q.E. Hospital in Birmingham. As

been raised. Daniel’s mum Sarah is

an F2 junior doctor I appreciate how

organising Friday’s coffee morning at the

important up-to-date research is in helping

club where he played as a junior. The club

increase treatment options for people, like

are hosting the event free of charge. It runs

me,

from 10am to noon and there will be coffee,

chemotherapy. I have chosen Cancer

tea, cakes and a raffle. People can bring and

Research UK as the charity I would like to

donate their own cakes and raffle prizes on

raise money for because the research they

the day. On his fundraising page Daniel, who

fund is crucial in the search for new treatment

who

have

that

Daniel Money

Treat-

are

currently

undergoing

trained to be a doctor in Birmingham, tells

options, early diagnosis and hopefully cures

how he was diagnosed with bowel cancer last

for all cancers.”

November after having symptoms for just

To donate online to the coffee morning – and

two weeks.

find out other ways that well-wishers are

He says: “My diagnosis and prognosis have

supporting Daniel’s Fundraising - visit

been a complete shock to me, my family and

https://tinyurl.com/2p8874x5

Chance to get involved in environmental action People in Oldland parish are being invited to get involved with local environmental groups. The parish council is working with South Gloucestershire Council's Community Spaces Improvement Team to support the development of local friends’ groups and volunteering. The parish council says: “We would love to revive the amazing work undertaken by our former friends’ groups of Barrs Court Moat and Cock Road Ridge that brought much benefit to our community; in

addition, create new opportunities at the new Jubilee Park and other valuable green and open spaces that make Oldland parish a great place to live.” Find out more on the parish council’s Community Hub at https://oldlandparishhub.commonplace.is/ The parish council would also like to hear about any environmental action taking place in local schools, church groups or community organisations to explore how to better connect with and support them.

The view from Cock Road Ridge

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Vandalism and trespassing continue at school playing field Vandalism and trespassing are continuing

despite the security fencing put in in 2020.

public using the school field. The

at the playing field shared by Redfield

Although officially a school playing field, it

fence panels are being vandalised

Edge Primary School and The Sir Bernard

was used for play, ball games and dog

regularly, giving access to the

Lovell Academy in Oldland Common

walking for decades. Local people failed in

public.

2010 to get the land registered as a village

“There is a significant cost to the

green and in 2013 the public footpath that

schools involved who are constantly

crossed the field was officially diverted

paying for new fence panels and

“During the Easter break, five panels have

around the edge.

fixings, not to mention the cost of staffing to

been taken down and one panel cut in half

That order was finally implemented in 2020

check and fix the fence, but also to risk assess

horizontally, leaving the school field open to

after

Council’s

the field each day to ensure it is safe for the

the public. A member of staff, on the first day

property services department agreed to two-

children to use. Staff are having to pick up

back, spent the entire morning securing the

metre high security fencing with gates around

dog mess and litter and we have had recent

fence using cable ties and picking up dog

the field to restrict dogs fouling and

occasions where learning planned to take

mess and rubbish. During this time, two

safeguard pupils.

place on the field has had to be cancelled due

members of the public accessed the field to

This week headteacher Lisa Robinson told

to members of the public walking their dogs.

walk their beagle dog – they were asked to

us: “We are saddened that we still have daily

“Just before the Easter holidays, the padlock

leave. Without doing this, we would not have

issues with dog walkers and members of the

on the gate leading onto the field had been

been able to use the field for our forest school

cut off and the gate padlocked open so we, as

session in the afternoon.

a school could not secure the site. I find it

“We urge the public to support our schools

very difficult to comprehend why anybody

and leave our school field alone.”

would want to do this. Somebody is

Futura Learning Partnership, which runs The

purposefully damaging school property and

Sir Bernard Lovell Academy, has been

then others are trespassing on the land.

approached for comment.

South

Gloucestershire

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. 16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%.

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 the_week_in_news

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Knife crime survey of teens South Gloucestershire's Youth Board is running a survey to find out what teenagers think about knife crime. The survey will collect views of secondary school aged students on carrying knives and associated crimes and culture and asks for ideas to help improve everyone’s safety. It is reported by Avon and Somerset Police that 1% of young people carry a knife. However, the Youth Board is concerned this might rise through peer pressure. The aim of the survey is to make sure support is in place to allow young people to make the right choices. The results will form part of the council’s Violent Reduction Unit action plan. Take part at https://orlo.uk/Knife_Crime_Survey_juE46 Those completing the survey will be entered into a prize draw and three winners will be selected at random after it closes on 23rd June. The prizes are a £50 gift card, and two £25 gift cards.

Patrols as part of drugs crackdown South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Safety Team and officers from the Violence Reduction Unit were out with police in Page Park in Staple Hill during a week-long crackdown on drugs and drugrelated crime earlier this month. They joined local officers to help raise awareness of how to report crimes and spot

the signs that someone vulnerable may be being coerced or forced into supplying, storing or transporting drugs and other crimes. The regional drugs intensification week saw all police forces in the South West working together to tackle those intending on bringing drugs and drugrelated crime into the region. The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Ofsted rates church pre-school as Inadequate Queens Road Methodist Church Pre-

of abuse, they do not ensure that they keep

school in Keynsham has received an

accurate records of their concerns and do not

overall Ofsted rating of Inadequate.

pass on all child protection concerns to the

The report, published last week following an

appropriate agencies. The management team

inspector’s visit in February, said that

has not provided information required to

children's

safety

compromised

due

and

welfare

are

Ofsted about new members of the committee

weaknesses

to determine their suitability.”

safeguarding arrangements.

Ofsted gave the pre-school’s leadership

“The management team has not put in place

and management the lowest rating of

robust and vigilant safeguarding procedures.

Inadequate;

For example, they do not thoroughly

development received the same rating while

investigate why children have not attended

the quality of education, and children’s

the setting, including those who have been

behaviour and attitudes are said to require

youngsters receive when they arrive. It was

report, which is evidenced by the actions

identified at possible risk of abuse and

improvement.

noted that children are encouraged to develop

already taken.”

neglect.

The report did highlight however the good

their independence and that clear behaviour

These actions include engaging the Bath and

“Although the manager and staff know how

relationships that staff have with children and

expectations are in place. Parents were

North East Somerset early years childcare

to identify the possible signs and indicators

their parents, and the warm welcome the

complimentary about the pre-school and

development and welfare manager to provide

staff.

training; completing an audit of policies and

New store’s alcohol bid

This was the first time the pre-school had

procedures

been inspected since 2017 when it received a

improving record keeping for children with

A licensing application has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for a new general store in Staple Hill which will be selling alcohol. The new JTTI Convenience Store at 82

Good rating. This week the pre-school, which

additional needs; and developing better

has 43 children on the roll, said in a

systems for noting when and why children

statement: “Whilst staff are disappointed at

are unable to come to pre-school.

the findings of the report, they are using it as

The statement added that parents have been

a learning opportunity. They are fully

encouraged to raise any questions or

committed to address the issues raised in the

concerns directly with the manager.

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

youngsters’

personal

Broad Street was formerly a newsagent. The deadline for comments is 5th May. Find out more by searching under the Licensing Act register in the Consultations section of the council’s website.

with

outside

agency;

Local church leaders oppose Illegal Migration Bill A statement signed by over 1,450 church leaders – some from our area - opposing the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill has been handed in to 10 Downing Street. Representatives from The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church in Britain, the United Reformed Church, Churches Together in England and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland presented the statement. The signatories say that they are “appalled” by plans to “detain, punish and reject thousands of people seeking safety”, and call on the Government to withdraw the

legislation. The Bill has passed Committee Stage in the House of Commons and is due to return for the Report Stage on Tuesday 25th April. Among those who have signed the statement opposing the Bill are the Rev John Hayes, from Keynsham Methodist Church; Deacon John Ray, from Fishponds Baptist Church; Pauline Berndes, from Resound Church in Mangotsfield; the Rev Dr Simon Edwards, the Rev Patrick Stonehewer and the Rev Leigh Maydew, all from the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Circuit of the Methodist Church; and the Rev Lindsay Caplen, from the West of England Baptist Network.

Independent stance Chris Warren, who has been chair of Saltford Parish Council for the last seven years, is standing in next month’s local elections as an independent candidate for Saltford on Bath & North East Somerset Council. He will be contesting the seat with some of his former parish council colleagues and says he wants to represent the ward “free from the corrosive nature of party politics”.

Volunteering opportunities with Age UK South Gloucestershire Age UK South Gloucestershire is looking for volunteers for several roles. As a befriender, you will have an assigned client with whom you offer friendly companionship either over the telephone or in person for around one hour per week. Befriending can work around your existing commitments. Many befriending clients are housebound, so this service is hugely valuable as you may be the only person aside from carers who they will see regularly. The only ‘skills’ required, are to be open, friendly and sensitive to the needs to the older community. People who can provide basic IT support to the older community are also needed to help them feel less isolated and increase their independence. The support is client-led, and you will help to guide them with basic IT skills such as emails and internet shopping. Many clients have lost confidence in simply going outdoors.

Walking group volunteers can aid clients to take part in short walks, with the added treat of a coffee shop at the end of the walk. Fresh air and company are invaluable to these clients. No previous experience is needed – if you like being in the outdoors and making conversation, get in touch. Also needed are volunteers to help take calls for the main reception/information and advice team. A warm and professional telephone manner is needed alongside basic IT skills to signpost to the relevant team, along with the ability to undertake other general office tasks. For more information visit www.ageuk.org.uk/southgloucestershire/getinvolved/volunteer/ • If you need support from Age UK South Gloucestershire, call 01454 411707.

Connecting Kingswood Connecting Kingswood is a group of organisations that work together to provide support to local residents and organise free and low-cost community events. The new Connecting Kingwood website has lots of information about organisations that offer food support, welcome spaces, utilities advice, financial support and volunteering opportunities. Find out more at https://connectingkingswood.org.uk/

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Find out more about 70 proposed homes on green fields Developers Taylor Wimpey are preparing a reserved matters planning application for up to 70 new homes, including 30% affordable housing, on land to the east of Minsmere Road in Keynsham. Outline planning permission for the development has already been agreed with Bath & North East Somerset Council, subject to the approval of the Section 106 document, which details the contributions that Taylor Wimpey will make towards new and existing facilities in the local area.

Taylor Wimpey are looking for feedback from local residents as they prepare the application for submission to the council this spring. A public exhibition was taking place today (Wednesday) from 3pm to 7pm at the Masonic Hall on Bath Road to share the emerging proposals. You can also find out more at https://tinyurl.com/2uuxtav9 Feedback on the proposals can be given via email at Land.TWB@taylorwimpey.com

Trust’s pre-school expansion plans after nurseries close Futura Learning Partnership says it is looking to expand its provision of preschool places in Keynsham following the closure of several local nurseries. The multi-academy trust runs 28 schools in the West of England, including those on the campus in Chandag Road in Keynsham. Futura says: “Keynsham has seen the closure of a number of childcare settings over the last 18 months. As such, we are exploring the possibility of opening a unit for pre-school places, on or near the site of Chandag Infant and Chandag Junior schools.” This would be in addition to the 324 playgroup which is already on the campus. To help Futura assess demand, parents and

carers are being asked to complete a survey at https://tinyurl.com/bdf38msp Among the childcare settings which closed last year were the family-run Leaping Lambs branches at Elim Church in Keynsham, The Park in Willsbridge and Bath Road, Swineford. The group of nurseries, which closed after an Ofsted investigation into safeguarding concerns, also included Caterpillars at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and a new nursery that had been due to open on the Broadlands Academy site in Keynsham. The previous Broadlands Bears nursery at the academy closed in May 2021, with the Academies Enterprise Trust saying it had been making a financial loss.

Police appeal over motorbike theft Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a motorbike was stolen from the driveway of a property in Keynsham. The bike was taken from Aesop Drive at around 12.30am on Monday 3rd April. Two people wearing hi-vis jackets and driving a large white van were seen in the area at the time. The bike was later recovered by the owner in Stockwood. Anyone who saw anything

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

suspicious around the time is asked to contact Avon & Somerset Police and they would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage which could help the inquiry. Call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223076950 or complete the online appeals form on the police website. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

LETTERS Not all junior doctors are on £14 an hour Dear Editor I guess like many people I have watched with dismay the television news showing the striking junior doctors on picket lines. The most noticeable poster on display is the one that says “£14 an hour for saving lives” produced by the British Medical Association to obviously encourage public support for the action. I looked at maybe hundreds of strikers and thought it cannot be right if that is all they are paid. But using the website I decided to dig a little deeper. The start to a career as a doctor in the NHS is through two years of foundation training and in year 1 the salary is £29,384 for a 40-hour week and that is where the hourly figure of £14 comes from. In year 2 the salary is £34,012 with enhancements and overtime for nights and

employees. It would not function without

voting against the Illegal Migration Bill. I

cleaners and consultants and all of those in

suggest that Mr Woodruff is being disingenuous.

between. The BMA is asking for a 35% increase

The Illegal Migration Bill is primarily about

for junior doctors which, based on the average

asylum seekers entering the UK by irregular

salary, would represent an annual increase of

(which are called “illegal”) routes. The bill will

I have today received a leaflet from the

£19,397 compared to the annual salary of a

lead to a variety of human rights problems and

Conservative Party, the small leaflet that was

hospital cleaner of £19,914.

may facilitate modern slavery. The proportion

shown in The Week In issue dated 5th April.

I find that insulting to the cleaners!

of immigrants who will be affected is fairly low.

I live in a Band D property in Hanham in South

Of the 75,000 junior doctors employed by the

As a UK citizen myself, I have direct experience

Gloucestershire. When I read that the South

NHS, just under 49,000 are members of the

of how UK immigration works in practice. I

Glos council tax (for Band D) is £1,752 for this

BMA and of those 77% decided to vote on the

work at the University of Bristol and this

year, I checked my council tax statement and the

issue of strike action. Of those who did vote,

academic year I have been responsible for the

sum for my property is £2,139.84.

98% were in favour of strike action. These

induction of eight new members of academic

Do you think this means that I am due for a

percentages meant that 36,955 of the 75,000

staff to my academic department, namely new

junior doctors employed by the NHS voted to

university lecturers with PhDs. All the new staff

strike, a figure of 49.3% - just less than a half.

were immigrants. None of them arrived by boat

Watching the media coverage on television you

across the English Channel. The reason we

could be excused for thinking that the entire

employed immigrants is that virtually no UK

junior doctor workforce was on strike.

citizens with adequate qualifications applied.

Mike Barrow

Many other sectors of the UK economy (e.g.,

Hazel Szots

Keynsham

the NHS) face exactly the same issue: the UK

(Definitely voting Labour)

does not train enough people to fill the jobs that

Editor’s

‘Systemic racism’

are required of a first-world economy.

Gloucestershire

Dear Editor

The best way for the UK to reduce immigration

Simon Davies tells us: “As outlined in South

The letter from John Woodruff (Issue 775) that

and reduce pressure on our environment

Gloucestershire Council’s recent budget report,

you have published states that “the Green Belt

(including the Green Belt) would be to sort out

the annual council tax bill for an average Band

will have to be consumed to fill (sic) the need

our education system. Better education would

D property this year is £1,752.

for housing all the immigrants to this country”.

enable many UK citizens to access better paid

“Band D council tax is the standard measure of

This

and more fulfilling jobs.

council tax used nationally, and all other bands

weekends. At the end of two years doctors start their specialist training on a salary band of £40,257 to £53,398 and when they become specialist doctors, the band is £50,373 to £78,759. In the year to March 2022 the average salary of a junior doctor employed by the NHS, including those part-time, was £55,420 which gives a full-time equivalent of £57,118. I wonder how many of the junior doctors on the picket lines holding the £14-an-hour poster were being paid at these levels. During the strike, cover is being provided by consultants who are being told by the British Medical Association to demand payment of £158 per hour for a day shift, £210 for an evening shift and £262 for a night shift. It appears that the BMA is intent on bleeding the NHS to death! Striking doctors appear on television claiming that they are not just striking for more money, but also to try to encourage new doctors into the NHS. Whilst

statement

unsubstantiated

and

inflammatory. I am surprised the Week In has

Being nasty to asylum seekers is not a solution.

published such a letter which demonstrates the

Edmund Cannon

systemic racism with which this country is currently blighted. Or perhaps The Week In is happy to support and spread such offensive thinking. Paul Sims Editor’s note: We publish letters on a range of subjects from readers with diverse voices and views, and welcome debate.

Health service ‘has gone backwards’

Spotlight on Band D council tax Dear Becky

rebate or, as mentioned in your 5th April article (‘Conservative election leaflet row’), is this just Conservative lies and deliberate misinformation in order to persuade gullible voters to vote for them?

note:

Bristol

and

Conservatives

South

spokesman

are set as a proportion of the Band D. “As the figure is represented as an average, some properties may receive a bill either slightly lower or slightly higher due to a range of factors – such as whether the household

Dear Editor

qualifies for help through the Council Tax

Re Frenchay Community Hospital (Issue 775),

Reduction Scheme or charges set by other

my late mother broke her hip in the 1990 when

bodies, such as the police or the local town or

she was in her 80s. When her treatment was

parish council.

complete, she was transferred to a ward by what was the old maternity unit, along with other

“Each year since 2019, the Conservatives have

vacancies there are 75,000 junior doctors

‘Better UK education would reduce immigration’

employed by the NHS - an increase of 33%

Dear Editor

important cases.

since 2015.

In your Issue 775 John Woodruff claimed that

We seem to have gone backwards in our health

To run a hospital successfully there is a

Chris Skidmore MP was being inconsistent by

service, not forwards.

have faced this year from global forces beyond

dependence on each other of different groups of

trying to protect the Green Belt in Hanham and

J White

our control.”

there are currently some 8,000 doctors

patients who would need help to return and manage at home, thereby not bed blocking more

sought to make the sound management of the council’s finances a top priority. As a result, the council has been better placed than others to meet the extraordinary financial challenges we

Did you know? 15% of our readers say they have made a significant purchase

(car,

kitchen,

double glazing etc.) from an advertiser in The Week In. Call 0117 9860386 or email: sales.theweekin@gmail.com

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Keynsham High Street casualties continue The latest reported fall in Keynsham High Street has led to a call for the public to demonstrate their concern. Over the last year we have featured many stories about people tripping and falling in the new layout, which includes a contraflow cycle lane.

Bath & North East Somerset Council made some changes, installing signs advising people of the new layout and painting the cycle lane red, but people of all ages have continued to fall. Some have suffered serious injuries including broken bones.

Researchers appeal for more volunteers for Parkinson’s trials Researchers at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust are appealing for more people to volunteer to take part in vital studies into the complex condition Parkinson’s disease. With Parkinson’s, parts of the brain become progressively damaged over the years, leading to a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including involuntary shaking of parts of the body, slow movement and stiff muscles. While there is currently no cure there are treatments available that aim to reduce symptoms and help people to maintain their quality of life. RUH research nurse

Ruth Hamlin said: “The treatments and medications for Parkinson’s disease which are in use today are the result of previous research trials, which shows how important these studies are in tackling conditions like this.” There is a trial exploring whether medication can help to reduce the number of falls that people with Parkinson’s experience. Another trial set to begin soon will be recruiting people living with Parkinson’s who experience hallucinations. To volunteer email ruhtr.researchopu@nhs.net or call 01225 825797.

SUNDAY CHEMISTS

Sudoku 1-Easy 2 5 8 9 3

2 7 4 1 9

9 6 8 5 4 1 9 2 2 6 1 3 8 2 4 8 5 3 2 6 9 1 6 8

Sunday 23rd April Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm)

2 -Hard

Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm)

5 6

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Last Thursday there were reports that a woman fell in the section between the Post Office and Shoe Zone, smacking her face which onlookers said was covered with blood. “How many more falls is it going to take before the council sort out the stupid kerb stones along the edge of the cycle track?” someone asked on the Keynsham Community Group Facebook page. Another said: “Perhaps the community should take some action to bring BANES to its senses. Some sort of protest would be in order, maybe a demonstration in the High Street would cause enough inconvenience to really make the council take notice.” Other comments included: “Appalling that the council are aware but continue to do nothing. It is possible an older person could not recover from such a fall (broken hip/hospital/immobility/pneumonia) so hope it does not take a fatality before the council takes action.” Last month (Issue 772) we featured the story of Sue Hulbert who injured herself badly and whose claim for personal injury compensation was denied by the council’s insurance company because: “The design met all the relevant planning and design requirements”; “The incident occurred in the middle of the day and therefore in daylight”; and “The location of your fall was well maintained”. The Week In submitted a Freedom of Information request on 14th March, asking the council how many reports it’s received of people falling and injuring themselves in Keynsham High Street in the last year. We also asked how many personal injury compensation claims have been received as a result of those falls, how many of have been settled and how many rejected. The information governance team advised us that their target date to reply was 13th April and that they would contact us if they needed more time to complete our request. We had yet to hear from them as we went to print this week. Wards Solicitors are taking up victims’ claims.

6 3

Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm)

9 4

4 3 1 8 2

7 4

Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH (10am-4pm)

Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm)

Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway (11am-5pm)

Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm)

5 8 6

Stockwood Pharmacy, 78 Hollway Road, BS14 8PG (9am-7pm)

Council’s refusal of housing doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, say developers site is in a sustainable location with easy access to facilities in a village which has a good range of services and employment opportunities; there are bus stops directly outside as well as opposite the site with frequent services in the direction of Bristol and Bath. They say a list of 11 very special circumstances to allow development in the Green Belt was provided to the council – including the provision of a 19space public car park off a new access for users of the nearby Golden Valley Nature Reserve; the potential use of small-scale hydropower; protection and ecological enhancement of the SNCI; and provision of new homes including affordable housing. They say that transport consultants will present evidence at the inquiry to show that with a signalised pedestrian crossing at a nearby junction, the numbers using it would not be high enough to warrant a second crossing. The agents claim that recent appeals have established that the council’s Local Plan is out-of-date, that it does not have a five-year housing land supply and is under-delivering on affordable houses. Stoke Morgan Planning also say the site is surrounded by development and that the developers would enter into a Section 106 agreement in respect of public open space and affordable housing as part of the appeal. The inquiry will open on Tuesday 27th June at a venue to be agreed and is likely to last four days. A decision is expected

The developers behind plans to build 22 homes in the Green Belt at Wick say that the seven grounds on which planning permission was refused “don’t stand up to scrutiny”. Wick Land Ltd are appealing against South Gloucestershire Council’s decision and an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will make the final decision after hearing evidence at a public inquiry taking place in June. The outline planning application is for 14 four-bed houses along with three three-bed houses, three two-bed flats and two one-bed flats. Agents Stoke Morgan Planning, on behalf of Wick Land Ltd, say that the reasons the council gave for refusal were inappropriate Green Belt development without demonstrating very special circumstances; the impact on the setting of a listed building; overdevelopment; highway safety; failure to enter into a Section 106 agreement in respect of both public open space and affordable housing; and conflict with the council’s locational strategy. The site falls within the Green Belt but is not within a conservation area. The agents say there are no listed buildings on site, and no tree preservation orders. Grade I listed Wick Court lies to the south and to the east is Boyd Bridge, which is Grade II listed. Further east is the Rose & Crown pub (Grade II) and to the west is St Bartholomew’s Church (Grade II*). To the south, north and partially to the east lies a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and the River Boyd runs close to the southern boundary. The agents say it will be demonstrated at the inquiry that the

Café bar’s retrospective planning application

Crossword 1

8 9

10 11

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Greek hero (8)

2. Selected (6)

8. Oil-carrying vessel (6)

3. Buries (6)

9. Knock against (4)

5. Accent (6)

10. Neither (3)

6. Communicate (6)

11. Foreign (6)

7. North America country (6)

12. Courageous (8) 12

15. Fresh (6)

27 28 29 31 32

to be issued on or before 23rd August. The council received 118 letters of objection and 11 in favour of the scheme. Anyone wishing to comment on the appeal has until Thursday 27th April. The appeal reference is APP/P0119/W/23/3317555. As we reported last summer, the developer came under fire for starting work by erecting a 2.4 metre high fence to screen it from the road, which led to the council issuing an enforcement notice. The developer appealed after being ordered to take it down and a planning inspector’s decision on that is also pending. Part of that fencing has since fallen down.

4. Touched down (6)

12. Ado (4) 13. Atmosphere (4)

16. Emblem (6)

14. In smaller quantity (4) 20. Thinly scattered (6) 17. Ivy League university 24. Braids (6) (4) 27. Extremely serious (8)

18. Dash (4)

28. Seller (6)

21. Deliver a sermon (6)

29. Old unit of length (3)

22. Steering mechanism (6)

30. Gemstone (4)

23. Departure (6)

31. Entrance (6)

24. Column (6)

32. Wizard (8)

25. Reluctant (6)

New Keynsham café bar Mokka has submitted a retrospective planning application for its advertising signs. The restaurant opened a few weeks ago in the old HSBC bank premises on the corner of High Street and Charlton Road. It has now asked Bath & North East Somerset Council to grant permission for the three signs which have replaced the HSBC signs. The building is in the town’s conservation area where there is currently a partnership project between Historic England, B&NES Council and Keynsham Town Council to make improvements.

19. Deprivation (4)

26. Fall (6)

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Steer your way through bus network changes This week saw the return to school after the Easter holidays and for some students, their first encounter with the local bus network since the service changes which took effect on Monday 3rd April. That was the day when three separate decisions were enacted which have had a significant impact on public transport services. The first was the axing of over 40 subsidised bus routes which the three local councils, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, decided they no longer wished to support. On the same day, First introduced its latest reorganisation of services in the region. While it primarily increased frequencies on the major bus corridors, the ‘rationalisation’ also saw services withdrawn where passenger numbers did not justify the costs. And finally, there was the launch of the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) demand responsive transport system, WESTlink. While never intended to be a replacement for the previously mentioned bus cuts, the unfortunate coincidence of timing means it is being judged that way in many areas. But whatever the reasons, the fact remains

that since 3rd April there are parts of the region that simply have no public transport service at all. One is Oldbury Court in Fishponds. The Number 5 bus which ran from Bristol city centre to Bromley Heath and Downend was cut last October, at the time when First was suffering a chronic shortage of drivers. A new 47 service replaced part of the original route at that point but then became one of the services withdrawn by First this month “due to low passenger numbers”. Bus services in south Bristol have also been severely impacted by both First and council cuts in recent months. Another casualty last October was the 96 which ran between Brislington and Hengrove. Abus and Citistar stepped in to provide a replacement service (along with other threatened routes such as the 178 Bristol to Midsomer Norton). With support from WECA, the service was guaranteed until the end of March. While First returned to provide a new service (522) to replace the 178 from 3rd April, there was no lifeline for the 96. And finally, there is WESTlink. In essence, the pre-bookable minibus network operates in the rural areas of South Gloucestershire,

Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset with the primary aim of connecting passengers with the major bus and rail corridors. Bath and Bristol are not included in the network and there are two operating zones – to the north and south of the cities. But the difficulty arises where rural and urban areas meet, particularly in the south zone. While it’s good news for people living around Keynsham that they can use

WESTlink in both north and south zones, the situation is less clear as you head west from the town. Most of Brislington and St Annes is covered by WESTlink but Stockwood, Hengrove and Hartcliffe are not. Knowle is included and connected by a slim isthmus to the part of Whitchurch which falls within the Bath & North East Somerset boundary. Catching a bus at the moment certainly needs passengers to have their wits, and preferably their smartphones about them.

Passengers without smartphones are ‘penalised’ If all the recent changes to local bus services are confusing, you may have to wait a while for help from one of the more obvious sources – the bus stop. Updated bus timetables are still some weeks away and temporary signs have gone up at many bus stops. Smartphone users can find more information on bus times as well as WESTlink by scanning the QR codes which have been provided on the signs. But for local transport campaigner David

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

Redgewell this penalises many bus passengers and puts visitors at a distinct disadvantage. He said: “Passenger information maps are missing, as well as details of connections to coach and railway stations or harbour ferry services. Some stops and interchanges are still displaying outdated passenger information.” He has written to local bus operators and the West of England Combined Authority to urge action on the issue.

The Community Page

Spreading the word Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council and supporting ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARISH COUNCIL local media Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Assembly in March, and we hope that you found it an informative evening about all things that the Parish Council has achieved during the past four years, and its hopes and vision for the future. A massive thank you to Raj, our parish councillor, and his family for supporting the event with such wonderful refreshments. It was a huge pleasure to present awards to our Parish Champions. The photograph top right shows the Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Jon Hunt, with Bill Crocker from the Bromley Heath Neighbourhood Watch who accepted the award on behalf of Mark Garland. For 15 years, Mark has worked tirelessly for the Neighbourhood Watch, creating their newsletter and website. An award was also presented to Jack Scott from Fitness Worx. Since establishing themselves in the centre of Downend, Fitness Worx must be applauded for the valuable work carried out within our community. Thank you also to Mokka for providing vouchers to each of our award winners. Many congratulations!

ELECTIONS – THURSDAY 4TH MAY 2023 Please remember to: 1. Register to vote. 2. Check your photo ID. 3. Vote at a polling station! No ID? All voters are now required to show photo identification at polling stations before they are given a ballot paper. You can apply for free voter ID. Find out more at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call 0800 328 0280. Polling Stations are open from 7am to 10pm on the date of the election. You should by now have received your polling card. This will tell you when and where you need to go to vote. If you haven’t received a polling card, or aren’t sure where you should vote, you should get in touch with South Gloucestershire Council: • Website - http://www.southglos.gov.uk/ • Phone - 01454 863030. • Email - electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk We will be meeting some of our existing councillors again following the elections, but we also look forward to welcoming new members to D&BH PC.

UNICORNFEST 2023 You may recall that in 2018, Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council sponsored a Gromit for the Wallace & Gromit Trail. This year, Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council will be sponsoring a Unicorn as part of Unicornfest 2023. The Parish Council wanted to mark its 20th anniversary in some way. Not only will this mean an incredible trail of artwork across the city, but Unicornfest is also about raising awareness of leukaemia. We hope that you will be able to support this charity by donating whatever you can. There will be collection boxes in the local shops and businesses and there will also be an opportunity to contribute by using your contactless card. Unicornfest is a summer-long public art sculpture trail featuring a giant herd of individually decorated unicorn sculptures displayed in public spaces across Bristol from July to September. The trail will also feature a mini-herd of school foals. The unicorn in Downend, named ‘Gracie’, will be sited on the corner of the High Street, where Lloyds Bank used to be. The artist, Kim Reed, is currently creating her design for 12

‘Gracie’ which will incorporate many things about our area, for example the horn will be the stripe and colours of W G Grace’s famous cricket cap, and there will be various local landmarks painted on the body of the unicorn which we are sure you will recognise. We hope you will enjoy this exciting event throughout the summer, celebrating Bristol’s unique heritage and creativity, whilst raising money for Leukaemia Care, a cancer that affects 10,000 people in the UK each year.

Since the start of the year, I have been out and about in the community, spreading the word about The Week In. The Longwell Green Probus Club and Barrs Court Ladies Group are the latest organisations to have invited me to come and tell them the story of how the newspaper began just over 15 years ago, how it has developed and how it is confronting the challenges local media companies are currently facing. Since starting these talks and presentations last year there has been a common reaction at every group I have visited. First, it is always gratifying to hear what an important part The Week In plays in people’s lives. It is always clear that many in the audience share our own views on reporting what is actually going on and the importance of holding decision makers to account. What regularly seems to come as a surprise is the revelation of just how few people are actually involved in producing the newspaper as well as the constant, almost weekly juggling we have to perform in balancing advertising revenues and production costs. By the end of my presentations, the recent changes we have introduced to the way in which the business is run and the reasoning behind the creation of The Week In Community as a cooperative are usually clearer. I am so grateful to our readers and members of the public who have shown their support for the way forward, either by signing up to become shareholder members of The Week In Community or by simply making an ad hoc donation. If you wish to do the same you can simply send a cheque to The Week In Community at 8 Temple Court, Keynsham, BS31 1HA or if it is easier, simply scan the QR code below with your smartphone and make payment online. If your group or organisation would like me to come and talk to you about The Week In, past, present and future please email at theweekincommunity@gmail.com. Stephen Rodgers

(Sponsorship photo shows Councillor Janet Biggin at the official launch event). The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

New bike group South Gloucestershire Council is setting up a Lyde Green Bike User Group and wants to hear from people who’d like to get involved, whether you are an experienced cyclist or relatively new to sitting on a saddle. The new group will be an informal social gettogether to discuss all things cycling and will be an opportunity to raise any issues or

questions with a council representative. The group is expected to meet on a quarterly basis, either remotely or face-to-face in Lyde Green Community Centre. It is being set up as part of the Lyde Green Travel Plan in which South Gloucestershire Council is acting as the coordinator. If you are interested in being part of it email transport.policy@southglos.gov.uk

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Step forward for May’s festival Bristol’s walking festival, now in its 10th year, regularly attracts more than 7,500 attendees year-on-year from across the city and beyond. Bristol Walk Fest showcases a wide variety of walking related events and activities, personal challenges, self-guided walking routes and discussion events throughout the month of May each year.

There’s something for everyone, from nature trails, scenic hikes and historical tours to walking sports, family-friendly strolls and cultural walks. The mostly free walks and activities are for all ages, all backgrounds and all levels of fitness. Find out more at https://www.bristolwalkfest.com/

Brislington Village Market There will be a Brislington Village Market held on the Brislington Hill concourse this Saturday (22nd April) from noon to 3pm. The event is supported by the West of England Combined Authority.

The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

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Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy

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The Week in • Wednesday 19th April 2023

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