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Councillor Column Transport-related issues to the fore
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here are a number of transport-related issues that continue to cause me some anxiety in the Stoke Gifford area. Obviously, we are all concerned about the disruption that the impending work to increase the width and clearance under the Patchway Bridge will cause. Your three district councillors are determined to do everything we can to ease the disruption, but would also appeal to the community to support our small local businesses who are bound to come under pressure during the period that Gipsy Patch Road is closed. At the same time, I am becoming increasingly alarmed by the danger posed to pedestrians and cyclists passing under the Parkway Bridge. The bridge was designed and built at a time long before the current levels of transport were envisaged, and long before the new office development and schools such as Abbeywood were built. Today, literally many hundreds of children and adults heading to their place of work, pass through that bridge at least twice a day on narrow pavements whilst all manner of vehicles thunder past only inches away. Parkway Station is going to get busier, and more and more buses will be passing under the bridge to add to the danger to pedestrians. Plans were drawn up about five years ago to put a dedicated pedestrian and cycle tunnel through the embankment between the existing tunnel and the station; but were then shelved due to cost. I believe the cost to create that vital tunnel will be as nothing compared to a life lost due to an accident if the vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists are not separated from the traffic. I am determined to achieve action on this issue. I continue to receive complaints regarding the
speed of some vehicles on North Road. I had originally proposed that speed tables be placed under both existing pedestrian crossings, but I am aware that speed tables are not to everyone’s liking. However, I will continue to press for a 20mph limit on that road. Graffiti continues to be a problem, and we must redouble our efforts to prevent it spoiling our community. It is nothing short of criminal damage and I urge the police to be vigilant to catch the vandals who are doing it. I am very concerned by the sudden decision of South Gloucestershire Council to change traffic flows at the Hambrook lights in an effort to reduce pollution. The changes appear to be causing unacceptable delays and merely spreading the pollution elsewhere. Please make your views on these changes apparent. Finally, we have not forgotten the parking blight that has now also spread to Bakers Ground and Parkway North. We have requested South Gloucestershire Council to look at the question of a residents’ parking scheme. Cllr Brian Allinson Stoke Gifford parish councillor and South Gloucestershire councillor for Stoke Gifford ward
Find details of YOUR South Gloucestershire ward councillor at council.southglos.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx
t: 01454 300 400
September 2019
News Guide Dogs latest to benefit from Beaufort fundraising
L-r: Monica Cave (Guide Dogs Charity), Lorna, Sue (guide dog owner and Guide Dogs Charity fundraiser), Jim Carey (pub manager) and Tony Giles.
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he Guide Dogs Charity is the latest good cause to benefit from regular fundraising activities at the Beaufort Arms in Stoke Gifford. Representatives from the charity’s South Gloucestershire Fundraising Group visited the pub on Sunday 18th August when they were presented with a cheque for £1,000. The money has been collected through activities organised by prolific fundraiser Tony Giles, who for many years has staged a weekly ‘meat raffle’ in the pub at 3.30pm on Sunday afternoons. Further funds are raised through a ‘higher or lower’ card game which follows the raffle at around 4.15pm and from a lottery bonus ball competition. Monica Cave, organiser of the local branch of Guide Dogs, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity, said: “Thank you so much to Tony, staff and customers at the Beaufort Arms for their amazing £1,000 donation raised from their weekly meat raffle.” “I am always amazed at the diverse types of fundraising people choose to do when
supporting Guide Dogs and a meat raffle is definitely a first for our South Gloucestershire Fundraising Group. I always love to see people enjoying themselves while fundraising and I am sure staff and the customers all had a great time.” She added: “Every hour, another person in the UK goes blind and Guide Dogs enable thousands of people with sight loss to lead confident, independent and fulfilling lives. We rely on public donations like this to continue our life-changing work and provide vital services to blind and partially sighted people.” If you would like to know more about the Guide Dogs Charity and how they help to change people’s lives visit www.guidedogs.org.uk or call 0118 983 5555. Tony already has a beneficiary lined up for his next charity donation - The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) – an organisation suggested by a member of staff at the Beaufort Arms who has a child with the condition. ● Facebook page: ‘Beaufort Arms’
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