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www.stokegiffordjournal.co.uk
February 2020
News
Councillor Column On local roadworks, Hambrook lights & more
T
he new year, 2020, is now a reality, and many of us are struggling to cope with the unprecedented amount of roadworks that are taking place in our area. The work on widening and increasing the clearance under the Patchway Bridge is well under way, and soon Gipsy Patch Road itself will be totally closed for several weeks while the old bridge is demolished and the new one swung into place. We are aware that many local residents in Bush Avenue and near the Kingsway shops are concerned that employees of the various businesses on the far side of the bridge will cause chaos in the area by parking their cars on the eastern side of the bridge and (when possible) cross on foot to go to work. I have written to the project manager concerning this issue and asked for assurances that the parking problem will be addressed. All three Stoke Gifford councillors are questioning the need to remove the mature trees on the southern side of the beautiful and unique avenue of trees along Gipsy Patch Lane. We have been told that this is necessary in order to create a bus lane along the northern side of Gipsy Patch Lane from the new bridge eastwards, in the Winterbourne direction. This will in turn make it necessary to push the normal line of the road slightly to the south, necessitating the removal of the existing trees. Is the new bus lane essential? At the same time, roadworks have commenced at Great Stoke (Rabbit) Roundabout on the Winterbourne Road, adding to the traffic congestion on Great Stoke Way. The consultation period concerning the experimental changes to Hambrook traffic
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lights on the A4174 is due to end in early February and I have written to the executive member for transport Cllr Steve Reade condemning the experiment for causing increased traffic congestion and increasing traffic through Winterbourne and through Frenchay. I encourage residents who are similarly concerned to also write to Cllr Reade. May I now turn to the pressing concern regarding the environment and climate change. Here in the UK we are doing what we can to reduce our carbon emissions and to plant more trees etc., but there is one activity that I see increasing almost daily and which does worry me. Far too many residents are digging up their front lawns and either laying tarmac or covering the area with paving slabs. That will in time alter the underlying water table, and perhaps even more importantly destroy the food, grubs and seeds, that our native birdlife relies on. Please do consider that before you dig up your lawns! Cllr Brian Allinson Stoke Gifford parish councillor and South Gloucestershire councillor for Stoke Gifford ward
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Poppy Appeal success for local Legion branch
Launch of the local 2019/20 Poppy Appeal at Parkway Station in October
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he Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) is having another good year with the Poppy Appeal, reports branch press officer Tony Peters. So far this year (2019/20), we have raised over £45,000. If we include Cribbs Causeway and Almondsbury – new areas in which we helped out – it is over £65,000! Our branch chairman Ian Harrison, and the Poppy Appeal organisers John Moloney, Tony Peters, Billy Wilde and Terry Webber would like to thank the public, branch members and volunteers, business and other organisations for their help and generosity throughout the appeal. A special mention to the poppy knitters, who in some case knitted up to 600 poppies and have already knitted hundreds for the next poppy collection later this year. Thank you also to our local media who do so much to help us raise so much money and help us raise the profile of our work so we can reach more people who need our help. The money raised through the Poppy Appeal goes to help the RBL’s Welfare Fund, which is used to give help and support to current and ex-service personnel and their families.
If you or someone you know need(s) help from the Royal British Legion, please contact the National Help Line on 0800 802 8080. The Stoke Gifford Branch RBL branch is always looking for new members - you do not have to have served to join the branch. Volunteers for poppy selling and poppy knitting are all ways needed. You can contact us for volunteering or joining on rblstokegifford@gmail.com Locally, we recommend a Veterans Breakfast held in the café at ASDA Abbey Wood held on the last Tuesday of the month, between 9.30am and 11am. Recently, the Royal Air Forces Association at 38 Eastfield, Westbury-on-Trym BS9 4BE has started an All Services Veterans Lunch held on the second Wednesday of the month between 12noon and 3pm. Both events are designed to get veterans out, mixing and talking with fellow veterans who can understand some of the problems encountered in civilian life, often years after serving one’s country. If you need further information on helping with the Poppy Appeal, or Veterans Breakfast or Dinner, please contact Tony Peters on 07971 242845 or anthonyv.peters@btinternet.com
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