The Week In - Issue 796 - 30th August 2023

THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE

Issue 796

30th August 2023

Advertising Supplement

MAYOR NORRIS WISHES RESIDENTS MANY HAPPY RETURNS - AND SINGLES

Mayor Dan Norris

VIEW FROM WEST OF ENGLAND MAYOR DAN NORRIS

Metro Mayor Dan Norris announcing Birthday Buses

Passengers across North East Somerset and East Bristol are enjoying free bus rides throughout the month of their birthday as part of a major initiative designed to change the way people travel.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris says that he hopes Birthday Buses will help residents during the frightening cost-of-living crisis, and get more people using buses to help take polluting diesel and petrol cars off our streets. With Birthday Buses, every resident in the West of England can make unlimited journeys, at any time, across 350 square miles, throughout the month of their birthday.

We caught up with Helen Jones Helen Jones, whose

birthday was on 10 August. She said: “I normally drive to and from work but during August it’s great taking the opportunity to leave my car at home and trial a month walking into work, and then using my Birthday Bus pass to get the bus home. It’s helped my health and fitness by upping my daily step count and done some good for the environment and saved me money on petrol too.”

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “It is great to give people a birthday gift but this is a serious plan. I am determined to help people make new habits. I hope that over the course of the month, people grow to like, and maybe even love, travelling by bus and so switch long term.”

This is important as while the majority of people who used buses pre-pandemic are doing so again they are making fewer journeys. It is therefore vital to attract new passengers to use the bus to build a thriving network.

There are two vital components to improve buses.

One: new bus drivers - to tackle the severe national driver shortage impacting locally so we can run more services. Two: new passengers - to grow ticket income so bus companies want to run routes and taxpayer subsidies decrease. That in turn means fewer traffic jams and helps towards our ambitious net-zero targets.

Funding for the scheme comes from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. The West of England Mayoral Authority secured the second highest settlement per head nationwide from Government of this fund.

Worked up in close cooperation with local bus companies the phased nature of the Birthday Buses means that over crowding concerns are minimised. The Week In readers can apply for their free Birthday Bus month pass at www.birthdaybus.co.uk.

WELL-SET FOR HIGH-SKILLED JOBS Thousands of local residents have been taking part in free, flexible training courses so they can go on to get in-demand and high-skilled jobs thanks to a £8 million investment by the Mayoral Combined Authority.

One course that some of the learners took part in at Bath College’s Radstock campus was to learn welding skills. They were taught in fully equipped workshops by lecturers with a combination of over 30 years of industry experience.

At the end of the course, all two dozen participants got guaranteed interviews with big West of England-located firms like EDF Energy as well as meetings and other opportunities with companies looking for people with the skills they were learning.

One learner said: “I really enjoyed the welding course. I must admit the bootcamp experience went above and beyond my expectations – both personally and professionally. I interviewed and found a great job before I finished my course. What a great opportunity for anyone looking to start a new career.”

Anyone who wants to be sign up for future training courses can visit: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/skills

Mayor Dan Norris finds out about welding skills

WEST OF ENGLAND IS BEE’S KNEES

Jean Vernon (aka ‘Jeanie Bee’), pictured right, discusses making the West of England the UK’s pollinator capital with the Metro Mayor at Yeo Valley’s Organic Gardens, Blagdon

2

The winners of an awards scheme showcasing West of England groups taking super-positive steps to support bees and other pollinators in the region have been announced.

The unique competition celebrates the amazing bee busy groups who have gone above and beyond to look after the region’s busy bugs through actions like creating a blossoming community patch or nature friendly allotments, and everything in between.

The Bee Bold Awards ceremony took place as part of a fun packed day of performers, live music and pollinator activities, culminating in the 2023 Pollinator Champions being crowned by the Metro Mayor in front of locals.

There will be more Bee Bold Awards in 2024 so local community groups with pollinator friendly projects should keep an eye out for that!

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

‘Anarchy on the high street’ A meeting is due to take place this week to discuss how to tackle on-going issues of anti-social behaviour in Keynsham town centre.

Problems in and around the library and some nearby shops have been flagged up on social media, and in calls to The Week In. We reported back in June that the library had been fitted with a panic alarm, but the summer holidays have seen problems worsen, with both boys and girls aged from 12 upwards said to be causing anxiety and fear with their abusive and threatening behaviour during the daytime.

One person described the situation to us as “anarchy on the high street” and feared that the problems would only escalate.

It has been reported that on one recent occasion, a 999 call was made on a Saturday, but police did not come until the following Wednesday – even though there is a police base at the Civic Centre which is where the library is based.

It is felt that although the problems of anti-social behaviour in council buildings always happen during the school holidays, Bath & North East Somerset Council has been slow in introducing measures to protect staff.

Recent comments on Facebook include: “Where are the police? It’s like the lawless Wild West – they know full well these kids are causing problems every day on the high street so why are they not putting staff there as a visible deterrent?”

Another said: “Shop workers are being threatened with knives and followed to their cars/homes after work.

Appropriate authorities need to step up their game and deal with this before someone is seriously hurt. More funding needs to be supplied to the police/youth workers to support this. There are now reports of these feral kids killing ducks at the duck pond with catapults and stones. What will be next? A dog, a horse, an elderly person?”

This week Keynsham neighbourhood police told us they are aware of concerns around the behaviour of some young people in the town since the school summer holidays began.

Neighbourhood Inspector Jon Nash and Sergeant Richard

Higbey are due to meet with partners and local businesses this week to discuss the problems and how to work together to resolve them.

PS Higbey said: “We are very aware of these issues, which are a priority for us because we understand the impact on the community and local businesses. The neighbourhood team carries out targeted patrols and works hard to identify and deal appropriately with those responsible.”

The police say that since 17th July they have had less than a call a day reporting any sort of anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the whole of Keynsham.

PS Higbey said: “We’re concerned that some issues are going unreported.

Please do tell us about anti-social behaviour by calling 101 or online through our website - www.avonandsomerset.police.uk - as soon as possible. We need to have a record of what's happening, when and where, to help us prioritise our resources and plan our patrols. It's not always possible for us to attend as quickly as we’d like, due to other demands, but the information you give us can be pieced together to help us identify those responsible.”

He stressed that if a crime is happening or someone is at risk of harm, people should call 999.

PS Higbey added: “It's only a small minority of teenagers who get involved in ASB. Most are respectful towards the community and local facilities and should be able to meet their friends in our public spaces over the summer holidays.

We’d always ask parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are, who they're with and what they’re getting up to.”

This week Cllr Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services at B&NES Council, said: “We are aware of antisocial behaviour in and around this area and we are working with the local police to resolve the issue.

“If anyone has any concerns, please report them to the police via their website, by calling 101 or of course 999 if an immediate response is needed.

“We take the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues very seriously, which is why we have launched a campaign to highlight unacceptable behaviour from a minority of the public that has been experienced by our workers over the past year.”

Have your say on park improvements The Friends of Cottle Road Park in Stockwood would like

Cottle Road Park

to hear people’s thoughts about the park.

To help them target their fundraising efforts, an online survey asks local residents what equipment they think should be prioritised in the park.

The survey also what activities people would like to see there, such as walking and exercise groups, planting events, and social meet-ups, and whether anyone might like to join the Friends and become involved in the efforts to improve the park.

Have your say at https://tinyurl.com/mr3zrutz The survey takes about five minutes to complete.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

3

Proposed homes next to Siston Brook spark outpouring of objections Plans to build seven detached houses next to the Siston Brook in Oldland Common have sparked an outpouring of objections.

South Gloucestershire Council’s planning portal was this week showing 51 objections but also 13 in favour of the planning application lodged by Stantonbury (Oldland) Ltd for the site known as The Willows.

The land, on which there is a house in a run-down state and several outbuildings, is accessed from the bottom of California Road and the new development would use the same entrance.

The houses would appear three storeys from the front but be ‘built into’ the hillside, with the rear accessed from the first floor and the ridge sitting comparatively low compared with the surrounding trees and California Road to the west. The developers say the homes would not be particularly visible from California Road, and trees running along Siston Brook would filter views of the site from the nearby public open space. There are no public foul water sewers nearby and the existing property currently drains via a private system which discharges directly into Siston Brook via an unrestricted outfall. It is proposed that the new Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, development would be Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, served by a single sewage Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, treatment plant for up to 30 Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, persons. It would be located Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell under the visitor layby and Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, “flows will be discharged to North Common, Oldland Common, the river prior to being Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, cleaned and treated through Stockwood, St George, Warmley, the treatment plant”.

Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.

Many people have voiced 16,000 copies are distributed through concern about the impact on retail outlets, libraries, pubs, the wildlife on the site, community centres each week. including otters, badgers, Verified pick-up rate of 97%. water voles, bats, birds and slow worms.

The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA Objectors also say that too 0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk many houses are being ISSN: 2052-9767 proposed for the plot, and Publisher Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk that there would be Editor Becky Feather 07403 273967 excessive vehicular Contributors Christine Rogers movements, especially with

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There are plans to build seven homes next to the brook - the site is screened by trees

the nearby narrow hump-back bridge to consider. There are also concerns about flooding.

One objector says: “It is accepted that the area needs attention and that can be achieved by replacing the current dwelling with one or maybe two new homes but seven is totally ridiculous with the infrastructure around.”

Those in support say the proposed development is of a very high quality and highly sustainable. They say the site is currently an eyesore and attracts anti-social behaviour.

Supporters also say the ecological assessment explains how issues will be mitigated, and that the biodiversity net gain assessment shows the area will be more diverse as a result.

At their meeting last Thursday Oldland parish councillors said they had no objection in principle to development on the site but had concerns including for the wildlife corridor, the late submission of the ecology assessment, and that there had been no notices displayed by South Gloucestershire Council to inform people about the plans.

The developers, who attended the meeting, said they would ask for an extension to the deadline (which was due to be 2nd September) to give people the opportunity to respond to the 40-page ecology assessment which has only very recently been put up on the portal.

Bitton Parish Council’s planning committee has objected to the application for the site, which is very close to the border of its boundary. Members were concerned about access, the impact on natural habitats and said the design was not in keeping. The planning reference is P23/02349/F.

How the site would look.

Picture credit: BBA Architects and Planners

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4

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

Council satisfied that concrete firm’s fencing is keeping the noise down Acoustic fencing at 4Concrete's site

Keynsham firm 4Concrete is being allowed to extend its hours of business further after being able to prove that fencing installed is doing a good job of keeping the noise down.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s head of planning has agreed that operations at Old Station Yard, off Avon Mill Lane, can start an hour earlier (at 6.30am) and go on an hour later (until 6.30pm) Monday to Friday.

The council’s environmental protection team had reviewed submitted acoustic reports and considered representations

Statement from 4Concrete In a statement this week, Jamie Britt from 4Concrete told The Week In: “We have done everything and more than the council have asked us to do for us just to run a day-to-day business. It’s taken three years of hard graft and neighbours filming us do our day-to-day activities but finally we have had the extra hours granted.

“4Concrete will run with the conditions the council have given us and also would love to hear feedback from the residents if there are any problems arising, then we can tackle them straight away.

“As we are in a recession, we need to maintain a good working relationship with our customers who have stuck by us through these hard times and start giving them the service and time they require.”

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

received.

The first report, dated 21st December 2022, demonstrated compliance with the conditioned noise limits, with the exception of activities relating to noise from jackhammering and the filling of trucks at high speed in the early morning. The report also stated that there were limited exceedances in the order of 1 - 2dB (decibels) relating to 4Concrete's activities less than 10% of the time.

It was felt that “such an exceedance is imperceptible and occurs for a limited period only”.

A further acoustic survey was submitted on 12th May: “This survey addressed exceedances in the first survey and further assessed the relevant activities with modified behaviours. The second acoustic survey demonstrated that noise from jackhammering and filling of trucks in the early morning period can comply with the conditioned limits. The report however also highlighted an exceedance of 1dB relating to the use of a JCB. “Both acoustic reports demonstrate that the acoustic barrier delivers a significant reduction in noise level and while minor exceedances have been noted, in acoustic terms they are imperceptible.”

In February last year (Issue 715) we reported that the Ombudsman had cleared B&NES Council of fault after it came under fire from local residents and the town council for its handling of the initial planning application by 4Concrete for two silos at Old Station Yard in that were permitted retrospectively in January 2020, and for failing to take effective action over reports of nuisance and breaches of planning control.

In this week’s Letters section (page 8) a local resident criticises the council for allowing 4Concrete to “stealthily” increase business, hours and impact on the environment. The resident says that “no fence mitigates the effects of the swathes of concrete dust polluting the air and waterways nor manages the noise”.

5

Radical proposals for the A4 between Bristol and Bath Public consultation on radical plans to transform transport between Bristol and Bath opened last Tuesday.

Members of the public will have six weeks to give their views on a range of ideas along different sections of the A4 ‘Bath to Bristol Corridor’, some of which would see significant changes if implemented. The ideas have been shaped from the earlier consultation carried out in 2021 by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) which has been awarded over £1/2bn from the Government in its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Navigating the whole consultation document is quite a challenge and it so far only appears to be available online.

However, it is broken down into specific geographical areas so proposals can be viewed sector by sector. One common theme throughout is that these are only ideas, not plans.

WECA has developed the consultation, building on the conclusions from previous feedback and regularly stresses that nothing is set in stone and many of the ideas put forward would require a lot more work, not to mention finance, if they were to be taken forward.

But WECA is also very clear that if traffic congestion and pollution is to reduced, some difficult choices will have to be made. The most significant of those is that to promote better public transport and active travel between Bristol and Bath, more road space will have to be given over to it at the expense of cars. This is already causing angst in some quarters in relation to plans for Brislington and the Keynsham bypass but the consultation document also contains some innovative and interesting solutions.

The job for WECA is to ensure as many people get to see, and more important, give their reaction to the ideas by the deadline of 1st October.

Below is a brief synopsis of the consultation by area.

Brislington and Totterdown There are short-term proposals for extending the bus lanes but it is the longer-term options which are dividing opinion.

Two visions are set out and both would involve turning the disused railway from Callington Road to St Philips Retail Park into a new trunk road and using the A4 for buses and cyclists.

Brislington Park & Ride to Hicks Gate Extended bus lanes, more cycle lanes and improved walkways and crossing facilities are proposed. Hicks Gate was designated as a transport interchange in the previous joint local transport which had to be scrapped and options for further development here are maintained.

Keynsham bypass Bus lanes in each direction with a (maximum) 50mph speed 6

limit on the remaining traffic lanes.

A separate cycle and walk way. A new ‘mobility hub’ on the edge of the Memorial Park and close to the station with a new footbridge across the A4. Bus stops for the X39.

Saltford A bus lane (Bath direction) from Broadmead Lane to the village as well as improved cycle lane and footpaths. This would mean the loss of some verges and parking prohibitions. Bus lane and shared cycle/walkway from Corston to the Globe roundabout.

Have your say The whole document can be viewed and commented on at a dedicated website: www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk. You can comment on individual proposals and complete a questionnaire at the end which will take 10-15 minutes. WECA has not yet announced what provision it is making for those without access to the internet.

Get involved Webinar sessions are planned for Brislington and Totterdown residents on Monday 4th September (6.30pm-8pm) and Keynsham, Saltford and Bath residents on Thursday 7th September (6.30pm8pm).

There are also six drop-in sessions for the public on the following dates: Bath on Thursday 14th September (2pm - 7pm), The Street, Bath Spa University, Locksbrook Campus BA1 3EL; Brislington on Wednesday 20th September (2pm - 7pm), Hungerford Community Centre BS4 5EX and Tuesday 26th September (2pm - 7pm) The Spielman Centre, West Lodge,

The Keynsham bypass

The stretch from Hicks Gate to Brislington

Arnos Vale Cemetery BS4 3EW Keynsham on Monday 11th September (3pm - 8pm) St John the Baptist Parish Hall BS31 2BL and Friday 22nd September (12pm - 5pm), Keynsham Library, Keynsham BS31 1FS and Saltford on Tuesday 19th September (2pm - 7pm), Saltford Hall, Saltford BS31 3BY

How the bypass might look with bus lanes

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

Lorry driver pleads guilty Traditional store known as to dangerous driving after Arkwrights set to close leaving a trail of destruction Staple Hill Stores will close at the end of

September unless someone comes forward to

A lorry driver who left a trail of destruction in Willsbridge and Oldland Common before Christmas pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Bristol Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.

On 6th December 50-year-old Matthew Nolder’s lorry collided with the railway bridge across Bath Road in Willsbridge before going on to hit several vehicles, damaging street lights and telephone poles as he continued along Barry Road.

He finally came to a halt in High Street,

Oldland Common where he was arrested on suspicion of drunk and dangerous driving.

There were no reported injuries but the damage caused Bath Road to close for

buy the business.

several hours that evening while debris was cleared and safety inspections carried out.

Mr Nolder pleaded guilty to the subsequent charge of dangerous driving and the case has been sent to the Crown Court for sentencing on 19th September. He was disqualified from driving with immediate effect.

and pet supplies store.

The shop has been up for rent for some time as owner Jill Barnes is retiring, but no one has yet come forward to take over the business, which is a traditional ironmongers, hardware The award-winning shop is known locally as Arkwrights, a reference to the one in TV sitcom Open All Hours.

There has been much support voiced on Facebook by the local community to Jill’s

Hill Stores has been a one-off and unique. To

plea for anyone interested to get in touch.

say we are sorry to see you go is an

Cllr Ian Boulton said: “Thanks so much for

understatement.”

your efforts to sell the business as a going

Other comments include “Staple Hill won’t

concern.”

be the same without you” and “Will be like

His colleague Cllr Michael Bell said: “Staple

the end of an era.”

Plaque marks first phase of work at Jubilee Park Devastation last December.

Credit: Chris Lacey

Autumn programme Longwell Green Ladies Group are pleased to

The friendly group like to get together in a

start their new autumn programme on

relaxed atmosphere to enjoy talks from

Tuesday 5th September.

interesting speakers, tea and chat.

They meet at 2pm on the first and third

New members and visitors are always

Tuesday of each month at the United Church,

welcome. For more details contact Maureen

Bath Road (opposite Aldi).

on 0117 9322341 or just go along.

A plaque has been unveiled to mark the first

Phase 2 starts next month with heavy horses

phase of work completed at Jubilee Park in

making a special visit to sow three new

Cadbury Heath.

wildflower meadows, using seeds harvested

£500,000 is being spent turning the former

from the Highgrove Estate of King Charles

pitch and putt site into a park to mark the late

III. Thousands of bulbs and more than 150

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the memory of

trees will be planted, including 50 fruit trees

the Duke of Edinburgh and his interest in

that will form a new community orchard. The

wildlife and nature.

public will be invited to come along and help

So far South Gloucestershire Council has laid

at a special open day in October.

a new more accessible path, park lighting and

The plaque was unveiled by the Chair of the

benches have been installed and a new

council Cllr Mike Drew (back row, second

wildlife pond has been created.

from right).

HMO application Plans to turn a home in Soundwell into a six-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Live Line Properties.

The application is for 1a James Road. The planning reference is P23/02398/CLP and the deadline for comments is 12th September.

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

7

LETTERS Council has ignored our well-being Dear Editor Bath & North East Somerset Council allowed a concrete plant to set up business over lockdown within metres of residential homes. A business which stealthily increased their business, their hours and impact on the environment.

It’s metres from Keynsham’s Memorial Park and a nursing home, spitting distance from a choked

road,

already

a

short

cut

circumventing Keynsham’s one-way system, its effects permeating people’s homes and lives.

This business have no mind to any welfare of residents or users of the park or surrounding neighbourhood. The noise is above what is acceptable to the human ear whilst they are pouring, mixing, cleaning go and take a listen sometime if you don’t understand how a concrete works carries out its day-to-day business.

An ‘acoustic’ fence was erected. Sound travels, unless contained in a building as carried out by a previous business. No fence mitigates the effects of the swathes of

misfortune to live in an area in which a

In fact at one meeting, I suggested that the

However, the speeds along this bit of road

feckless council have paid so little heed to

officers made contact with the REME

haven’t changed much at all.

your well-being and quality of life. Shame

regiment based in Keynsham to ask whether

I wonder how many drivers who come along

on you, B&NES.

they might erect a Bailey bridge to

this road are Bitton residents – many I would

D Browne

temporarily provide the cross-river route

guess, a lot of them still travelling at the ‘old’

until a brand new bridge could be delivered.

speed of 45-50mph.

Wilding the roadsides?!

Unfortunately, when approached, REME

Apparently in most places the people who

Dear Becky

said they could not help.

are caught on cameras speeding turn out to

Have South Gloucestershire Council's clever

The newsletter also suggests in the way that

be locals.

policymakers

the

it is written that since the May election,

I realise that they know the road and just how

consequences of neglecting to sweep the

certain roads have been resurfaced that

fast they can get round the bends, but by

streets?

would perhaps not otherwise have been

slowing to the legal limit, they would also

The grass growing in the gutters looks a

resurfaced. One in question was Charlton

slow up the cars behind them who may not

mess, few pollinating wildflowers to be seen

Park where I have sought to have it

be familiar with the conditions, and of course

growing in these new green spaces!

resurfaced in the past but was told it was not

it’s no good complaining about ‘speeders’

When eventually the gutters will be cleaned,

yet on the programme.

past your own house if you are prepared to

the work is likely to be too difficult for mere

Enquiries of officers reveal that “our

speed past other people’s!

sweeping. It will need gardening or

formulation of the programme is weighted

We can, I suppose, hope that it may

landscaping equipment, with a considerable

towards condition data and maintenance

discourage the racing cyclists, who blight

amount of landfill waste being created.

history, and we do our best to stick with this

this road every weekend, from using it to

While awaiting any gutter cleaning, surface

as it is good asset management”. In other

hone their ‘speed skills’ when they should of

water will be obstructed or drains blocked,

words, the roads had reached their time in the

course be on the Midland cycle path which

with water flooding the streets. If stopping

programme for renewal anyway and not for

was built for them at considerable expense.

cleaning roadsides is thought by the council

any political intervention.

Mrs L Owen

to be a cost-saving measure, then it is not a

Rest assured that both Conservative and

clever one!

Labour continue to play a major part in the

Robin Champion

efforts to resolve the High Street cycle lane

thought

through

concrete dust polluting the air and waterways workforce and huge vehicles chunter in and

Tory & Labour councillors are playing their part too

out, queuing from spectacularly early hours,

Dear Editor

nor manages the extended noise as the

Express your views on the A4 proposals

as indeed we would do for any other major

Dear Editor

issues affecting the town.

Having read the proposed A4 changes, it is

Cllr Alan Hale

proposed that the Keynsham Bypass has a bus lane on both sides.

clanging metal equipment, gates, blocking

Like many others in the town, I received my

the road and access.

copy of the Liberal Democrats’ FOCUS

Signs alone won’t make drivers slow down

So it should be no surprise then that B&NES

August edition for Keynsham North. It

Dear Editor

alongside the bypass to appreciate that for

have now allowed them to extend their hours

seems that if you write something and

Good luck to Bitton on the proposed 20mph

90% of the day the traffic flows well, and if

of business further still - evenings, bank

publish it, it must be fact.

speed limit! (Issue 794).

bus lanes are introduced, traffic flow and

holidays. I mean, B&NES, try spending time

The new bridge in the park has been

Do they imagine speed limit signs make

deliveries, etc. will slow down, creating

in these people’s homes and gardens - see

delivered successfully and it is claimed led

traffic slow down? Unless accompanied by

more problems and pollution.

how your sleep, health and general quality of

by the Lib Dems. It seems to airbrush the

a camera, the traffic usually travels at pretty

I can understand bus lanes at each end of the

life develops.

work done by Alderman Brian Simmons,

much the previous speed.

bypass during peak times but not all day for

Of course, any negative impacts will simply

latterly the councillor for North Ward. Both

Three or four miles east of Bitton on the

the length of the bypass.

be mitigated by your ability to return to your

he and I were at the same meetings as Andy

A431 at Gamatty Hill between Kelston and

The proposal also mentions pollution but

own home, the same for the workers of the

Wait and Hal MacFie when pressing officers

Bath, the speed limit was reduced last year

most of the A4 from Brislington Park & Ride

concrete plant, unless of course you have the

for actions.

from the national speed limit to 40mph.

to Bath is through countryside, except for

8

I am not sure why the office-bound planners are proposing this. They really do need to sit

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

‘Report HGVs flouting diversion’

LETTERS

A Keynsham councillor says he

Saltford.

reintroduced as this would provide a better

has received a number of reports

The proposal for cycle lanes must be looked

service to the wider community and

of HGVs breaching restrictions

at with some care for cyclists, e.g., separate

probably generate more income for First

and

cycle lane from the busy roads.

Bus. All the bus stops remain in place and

during the ongoing closure of the

Readers need to read the proposal and

for information it turned off the Wellsway

B3116 Wellsway.

express their views.

into Courtenay Road and proceeded through

Wellsway has been closed since

David Whalley

the estate via Lytes Cary Road, Manor Road,

24th July for major works to

Keynsham

Hurn Lane, Minsmere Road, Windrush Road, and Chandag Road, then onto the Bath

using

residential

roads

alleviate sewage flooding. The work is scheduled to take up to 12 weeks (mid-October).

522 route change

Road towards Keynsham town centre.

Dear Becky

In my view, this would add only a few

I use the 522 bus and have observed that

minutes to the journey time, which could be

local

almost every occasion, the bus arrives early

easily accommodated because currently the

occasions.

at the Courtenay Road stop in Keynsham and

522 bus is always early. I appreciate this is

To reduce these incidents, including

despite the current diversion it also arrives

slightly more of a diversion than is currently

those in the grounds of Keynsham

early at Ashton Way.

required but please note this will take the bus

Cricket Club, Wessex Water is

This was the case even prior to the diversion

directly past the local shops and schools. By

investing more than £500,000. The

and most passengers deliberately arrived

continuing with the normal route straight

road closure extends between the

early at the stop to ensure they didn't miss

down the Wellsway, First Bus are missing

entrance to Rockhill Estate and its

the bus (which has happened to me on a

out on potential customers and much of this

junction with Bath Road. An

couple of occasions).

section has no housing.

official diversion route is in place

I now use the First Bus app and am able to

Finally, at the bottom of the Wellsway, where

track its progress through Timsbury and

it joins the Bath Road, the road narrows

Marksbury to ensure that the bus is running

significantly and buses are unable to get

and can estimate what time to make my way

through easily. The pavements there are very

to the bus stop.

narrow, and I am aware of instances where

For example, on three recent occasions I

vehicles have to mount the pavement to get

have noted that the bus arrived between five

by.

and 10 minutes early at Courtenay Road. Not

This is of concern to the local residents so

all passengers use the app and I am sure

rerouting the 522 through the estate would

Vehicle break-ins

some miss the bus because it's invariably

avoid this potential hazard. First Bus is

Two people were arrested after some vehicles were broken into in Central Avenue in Hanham

early.

“considering” my proposal so I would

at approximately 1am on Wednesday 23rd August.

Keynsham residents will remember the

encourage like-minded residents to contact

If you have any information about this incident, especially CCTV images, call 101, giving

former 178 which used to run through the

First Bus. Please note this service is

reference number 5223204329. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555

Chandag Estate and I have enquired with

managed at the Bristol offices (not Bath).

111. Police continue to remind drivers to ensure they remove all valuables from their vehicles,

First Bus as to whether this can be

Cynthia Withyman

Reports of flooding date back more than 20 years, with issues raised by residents

numerous

via the rest of the Wellsway to the B3116 Burnett Hill, then the A39 Wells Road,

reasons”.

A4 Bristol Road and A4 Bath Road (and vice

Anyone witnessing HGVs breaching the

versa).

restrictions is asked to note the registration

But this week Cllr Andy Wait said that HGVs

number and report it to Bath & North East

have been seen using Chandag Road and Hurn

Somerset

Lane “which they shouldn’t be for obvious

https://tinyurl.com/yc4pa6xp

Council

at

especially wallets and purses.

Sudoku 1-Easy

on

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 3rd September

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) 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 30th August 2023

9

New primary school launches

Marking Ukraine’s Independence Day Under the Homes for Ukraine programme, 533 guests have

The new academic year sees a new primary school in

so far been matched to 292 sponsors in South

Keynsham – with a familiar name.

Gloucestershire. Of these 490 have now arrived in the

Chandag Primary School has been formed by the merging of

district.

Chandag Infant School and Chandag Junior School. The

South Gloucestershire Council says that more than 60% of the

school’s headteacher is Davina Lucas.

adult guests are already in employment or further education.

The school is part of the Futura Learning Partnership. The

To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day (24th August) there was

chief executive Andrea Arlidge said: “We have received

a formal raising of the Ukrainian flag at the council’s Badminton

strong support from our school community for this merger,

Road headquarters last Thursday, along with a minute’s silence.

which we firmly believe is in everyone’s best long-term

A choir of Ukrainian guests sang the Ukrainian anthem.

interests.

There was also a reception to thank all staff who have supported

“Chandag Primary School is at the heart of the community

those arriving under the Homes for Ukraine programme and

on our Keynsham campus. It shares a site with the 3-2-4

other refugee resettlement programmes for their contribution,

playgroup, Wellsway School and IKB Academy, meaning we

commitment, dedication and the spirit of collaboration and

can offer continuity of education for children from three to

support for all resettling communities in South Gloucestershire.

19.”

On Saturday there was a community celebration of Ukraine’s

Pupils, siblings, families, governors, staff and the wider

Independence Day organised in collaboration with Yate Town

community are invited to a celebration picnic after school on

Council and other partners.

Friday 8th September.

Keynsham Area Forum The next Keynsham Area Forum meeting, which is also the AGM, will be held on Thursday 28th September at 6pm at The Space in Keynsham.

Flat flood Avon Fire & Rescue Service were called at 11:27am last

Crossword

Thursday to reports of flooding in a flat at Stonehill, Hanham.

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Female horses (5)

1. Measuring device (5)

4. Bank clerk (7)

2. Mass meeting (5)

8. Flammable solvent (7)

3. Hank (5)

9. Picture puzzle (5)

5. Woollen fabric (5)

10. Textile (5)

6. Fix deeply (5)

19. Calculate (6) 20. Sign of assent (3) 22. Postures (7) 25. Tower of ----- (5) 28. Circular (5) 29. Be aware of (7)

isolated the water and electrics.

Parish art competition It’s not too late to submit an entry for this year’s art competition being staged by Oldland Parish Council to celebrate the artistic talent of people in the community.

12. Edible bulb (5)

The theme is Nature. The categories are painting, drawing,

14. Group of cows (4)

craft activities and photography.

15. Russian villa (5)

There are four age groups - under nine, nine to 13, 14 to 17,

16. Worship (5)

and 18 and above.

17. Skeletal tissue (4)

The competition is open to every person in the parish. All

21. Bird of prey (6)

entries must be submitted to the clerk by 8th September.

22. Woody perennial (5) 23. Fully grown (5)

30. Store for electricity 24. Scrounge (5) (7) 25. Very dark (5) 31. Prestige (5) 26. Construct (5) 27. Yorkshire city (5)

10

services were no longer required as the occupier had already

4. Force, compel (6)

13. English cheese (7) 7. Part of stair (5) 17. Insect (3) 11. Look forward to (5) 18. Gambling venue (6)

On arrival, crews from Kingswood Fire Station found their

Winners will be notified following the judging at the council meeting on 19th September. The overall winning entry will feature in the Christmas 2023 newsletter.

For more details contact the clerk Claire Dolman, 34 Hawthorn Close, Pucklechurch, Bristol BS16 9SZ. Call 07494 262487 or email clerk@oldlandparishcouncil.gov.uk

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

11

Pride as students receive their GCSE results Young people receiving their GCSE and Level 2 Vocational Technical Qualification (VTQ) results last Thursday have been congratulated and reminded of the support available for the next chapter in their lives.

This is the first year since 2019 that standard assessments have taken place after teacher-assessed grades replaced exams during the pandemic.

In Bath & North East Somerset, Cllr Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “No matter what the results are, we are proud of all the students in Bath and North East Somerset for their hard work during the exams.

“If the outcome isn’t what you had hoped, don’t forget there is plenty of advice and support available to help you with your next steps. Your school will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate help for you and there is a wealth of

information available online about options for vocational qualifications, A-levels, apprenticeships and more.”

South Gloucestershire Council’s co-leader and cabinet member with responsibility for schools,

Cllr Ian Boulton, said: “Whatever grades you achieved, you are moving from one chapter and onto the next, and I would encourage you to look forward and to see what options you have and to make the best choices for you. I have no doubt that you will have worked hard, just as your families and all the staff in schools across South Gloucestershire have worked hard to help you prepare.

“As you continue your journey into sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or vocational qualification, know that support is still there and that a lot of people are wishing you the very best for your future. If you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, use that support to help you to work out what is right for your next step.”

Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, said that home schooling and virtual learning had been difficult for many young people during the pandemic so they should all be very proud of their results in the face of this challenge.

He said: “A big thanks should also go to schools, Delighted Wellsway students parents and carers who have worked hard to support our young people throughout their GCSEs and Level 2 VTQs. If you didn’t get the results you were hoping for, remember that you will have many more opportunities ahead of you.

This is just the first step of your journey and I wish you great success for your future.”

Futura Learning Partnership runs secondary schools including Wellsway and IKB in Keynsham and The Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common.

Wellsway School said: “Our school has a long track record of academic excellence and this year, despite the challenges, is no different. Our pupils have once again shown they are capable of achieving some of the best grades in the county and all of the community at Wellsway School are so proud of our pupils.

“With much hard work – and the tireless support and

12

Students at IKB find out their results

encouragement of their teachers, support staff and families – they have achieved excellent exam results and are ready to step out into the world as thoroughly respectful, compassionate and kind young adults.

“We also recognise the additional anxiety caused by the events of the past years and thank our parents and carers for their continued support. Students should be reassured that the grades they have received today have been fully earned and are the result of their hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”

IKB said it was extremely proud of its Year 11 students who had shown resilience and hard work to secure their results: “As a small school we really get to know our students and their families and look forward to so many students continuing their educational journey with us.”

SBL Academy said: “In a year where it was suggested that results might be lower, outcomes at SBL have remained strong at grade 4 with English achieving 80% at grade 4 and 64% at grade 5. Maths achieved 77% at grade 4 and 63% at grade 5.

“We are delighted with the number of students progressing into Post 16 study at SBL Academy as part of Futura Sixth.

A large number of students have achieved high quality outcomes that allow for strong progression into the future.”

• The National Careers Service runs a Get Help with Exam Results service. Support is available on the website and students can chat to a careers adviser over the phone or by webchat. The exam results helpline (0800 100 900) is open until Friday (1st September) from 8am to 8pm.

Situations Vacant

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

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Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy

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The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

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The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

WEST’S E-SCOOTERS GET A GREEN MAKEOVER! E-scooters have become a familiar sight on streets across the West of England with over ten million journeys made since 2020.

But it will be a new era come the Winter when the region’s e-scooters change colour - from coral to green - and are branded WESTscoot. The Mayoral Combined Authority has negotiated a brand-new contract where alongside 4,000 e-scooters, there will, for the first time, be 1,500 e-bikes and 20 e-cargo bikes. Plus there will be new parking racks and plans to address residents’ safety concerns. The deal will bring an estimated £9 million to the Mayoral Combined Authority over four years to be reinvested in improving transport for local people.

Mayor Dan Norris said: “I hope WESTscoot will build on the successes of escooters in our region, but also start to address the concerns I hear from residents over anti-social riding and dangerous e-scooter parking. These bright green electric e-vehicles are an important part of our net-zero ambitions.”

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023

MORE BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Could you be a real community hero? After all that’s what bus drivers are. You take kids to school, nurses to the hospital, office workers into town and elderly folk to the shops. You do it with a smile.

You reduce carbon emissions. And you keep our communities working. No wonder bus drivers are the most thanked profession!

Cheers Drive!

But we need many, many more drivers to add to the 150 drivers who have gone through the training necessary and qualified since the beginning of the year.

New recruits have come from unexpected places, including a local student, Callum, who is working as a driver part-time while completing his studies.

For any Week In readers who might fancy a career change, please go to www.driveandthrive.co.uk to find out more about becoming a community hero today.

15

GREAT AVON WOOD Help plant and care for Winnie-The-Pooh sized woodland in Pensford!

Mayor Dan Norris is encouraging locals to help him plant and maintain the brand-new Great Avon Wood, the biggest new forest ever in the region. It's all been made possible thanks to a bumper £700,000 cash injection from the Mayoral Combined Authority, and at over 100 acres, it’s even bigger than Winnie the Pooh’s wood!

Over the next three years, volunteers will help to plant 40,000 trees over three linked areas, which together will form Great Avon Wood, with some 6,000 splendid saplings in the ground already. But more volunteers are needed, says Mr Norris.

There are plenty of ways to get involved, with upcoming tree care days, including one on Saturday 16 September, where people can help weed and check out the trees planted so far home to butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies and other pollinator heroes.

Plus, a new online portal is about to be launched where people can register as volunteers ahead of the new tree planting season which will begin at the end of November.

For more information, visit https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/woodlands/great-avon-wood/.

Dan Norris said: “More trees please! The West of England will need more woodland areas and green spaces as we aim to reach our ambitious net-zero by 2030 targets locally. I’m proud a bumper cash injection from my Mayoral Combined Authority has helped set the stage for this 100-plus acres of lush woodland.

"My message to locals though is - we need your help. Planting and caring for 40,000 trees isn't easy.

That’s why we need as many volunteers as we can to step forward and help us here. I’m proud to back those tree-mendous tree-planting projects which will really make our amazing region an even happier, healthier and more beautiful place to call home."

16

The Week in • Wednesday 30th August 2023