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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset

27th July 2022

Issue 740

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Danger as “extreme heat’ knocks out traffic lights at throughabout The hot weather has been blamed for the traffic lights on

signals at the throughabout on the A4174, which

the throughabout on the Ring Road at Warmley failing.

has been caused by the extreme heat we’ve

One of our readers has highlighted his “frightening”

experienced over the past two days.

experience at the Wraxall Road junction last Tuesday - where

“The lights are now operational, but we will be

there are 26 traffic lights - and how it could have led to

monitoring them closely to ensure the issue

fatalities.

does not return.”

Chris Durant said: “At around 2.50am (19th July) I was

The problem with the lights has since been a

bringing my son back from Bristol Airport and came across

topic for discussion on social media. Someone

the throughabout with the traffic lights not working, needing

who also used it when the lights were out said:

to turn right (i.e., filter off left to then go around and across

“This was dangerous, so many directions and

six lanes of road) to take him to Warmley.

lanes to look out when going round.”

“Both experienced drivers but we both felt it was pretty

Other observations included: “Seems like all the

frightening to cross. After dropping him off, I came back onto

other traffic lights were working on the Ring

it, turning left thank goodness as a car flew along the dual

Road though, seems strange.” Another said:

carriageway at around 70mph straight through it. I couldn't

“Makes you wonder how all those other

really blame them as if they are not from around here then to

countries cope that have much hotter weather than this.”

funding to make changes to five other Ring Road

them, they are just continuing on a dual carriageway, not

One critic of the throughabout commented that “it causes

roundabouts, including turning the Siston Hill, Deanery Road

knowing there are supposed to be lights.

more congestion than the roundabout they replaced with this

and Kingsfield junctions into throughabouts.

“If it was a roundabout it wouldn't matter if there were lights

bloody thing” while another admitted: “I avoid this

Close to 900 people took part and almost three-quarters were

or not. I can't believe South Gloucestershire Council could

nightmare roundabout like the plague; on rare occasions I

strongly opposed to any more throughabouts so the council

be so negligent as it could have led to a multi-car accident

have to go Kingswood, it's via Hanham.”

said it would wait a year to assess the Wraxall Road junction

and many deaths.”

The throughabout, which cost almost £7m to build, opened

before considering a new funding application.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council told us

last October with the aim of improving traffic flow. Shortly

Earlier this month police renewed their appeal for

last Tuesday: “Highways engineers from our StreetCare team

after it opened, the council published a report following a

information or dashcam footage after a teenage moped rider

have been working to resolve an issue affecting the traffic

public consultation about its bid for £30m Government

from Hanham died following a collision with a car at the throughabout on Easter Sunday.

Also in this week’s issue

Council announces changes to controversial cycle lane . . . page 2

Community meetings planned to discuss buses . . . page 3

Seven weeks of traffic disruption in Keynsham . . . page 4

Kingswood church set to close . . . page 7

Council announces changes to controversial cycle lane Changes are going to be made to Keynsham High Street’s controversial cycle lane. Bath & North East Somerset Council announced on Monday that it will be carrying out the works following a road safety audit (stage 3) of the £1.5m public realm improvements. It said the review found no fundamental issues with the design or construction but took into account data including trips and falls and, following a further design, a number of enhancements that could be made to improve the visibility of the cycle lane. The council will carry out overnight works next Tuesday and Wednesday (2nd and 3rd August). As we reported in Issue 736, the recommendations following the audit did not include the removal of the controversial stepped kerb between the cycle lane and road. The new measures happening next week are: • Installing red Tarmac through the length of cycle lane to enhance demarcation. • Reducing the width of the solid white line marking the edge of the cycle lane, in line with Department for Transport standards. • Increasing the number of cycle symbol markings along the cycle lane. The works will be carried out between 7pm and 7am and will mean the High Street will be closed to traffic. The cycle lane will also be closed during the daytime next Wednesday. Cllr Manda Rigby, Cabinet member for Transport, said: “People’s safety is our first priority we have listened to concerns from residents and sought advice to solve the issues

that have been raised. “We are acting on both recommendations from the audit and the design exercise. We will also add some extra planters in the forthcoming months, which we hope will further improve safety by directing people more clearly towards the pedestrian crossings. We are sorry for any inconvenience while the improvement works are carried out next week, we are working hard to minimise disruption to the High Street. “We are keeping the High Street under close review and will be meeting on a quarterly basis with the highway authority to ensure safety is maintained.” A total of 15 recommendations were made in the review. The statement released by the council on Monday did not mention the recommendation to replace the “incorrect” tactile paving arrangements that do not guide users to the beacon at the zebra crossing in the High Street, nor that “incorrect and lifting tactile paving could cause confusion and result in trips or falls” at the uncontrolled Bath Hill pedestrian crossing. Other recommendations on the list included reinstating the dashed white line at the Charlton Road junction and changing the “confusing” map-type direction sign at the northern end of the High Street. This week Keynsham councillor Alan Hale, who is B&NES Council’s member advocate for road safety, said the statement “pays scant regard” to the numbers of casualties there have been – in the order of 40 people - some of whom have received serious injuries including broken bones. He said he had just spoken to one woman who lost six teeth when she fell.

The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Communities urged to make ‘big choices on buses’ this summer Community leaders are being encouraged to hold ‘Big Choices on Buses’ meetings by Metro Mayor Dan Norris who wants local people to be a key part of the important conversation about the future of public transport across the West of England. He will kick off the discussion by holding a series of public meetings in Whitchurch, Yate, Southdown and Bradley Stoke in the first week of August. Mr Norris says that when it comes to local buses it’s a case of “short-term pain but long term possibilities”.

Dan Norris

Buses in the West of England are facing a toxic mix of challenges. There is a critical shortage of bus drivers, passenger numbers are 25% down on pre-pandemic levels, inflation is spiralling and the Department for Transport has confirmed that all COVID financial assistance will end in October. However, the West of England Combined Authority, led by Mayor Norris, has secured the second highest cash injection for buses from the Government nationwide as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan. The money will kick in next year. The Mayor hopes community leaders will run “big choices” meetings to look at individual bus routes, but also to explore

bigger questions about trade-offs and compromises. He said: “There are no right or wrong answers here. That’s why I need to get a sense of how local people feel and hear their ideas and wisdom. We need to think how to deploy the limited numbers of bus drivers in the region. Do people want more frequent or more reliable services? Would you use the limited cash available to support the last rural bus in a village or add extra buses on overcrowded city routes?”. Mr Norris is keen to hear from people who use buses but, crucially, also from those who don’t as increasing passengers numbers is vital to increase fare income and to tackle the climate emergency. He continued: "I will not shy away from the very real challenges we face on the buses at the moment. Without doubt, there will be more cuts as Government COVID-support comes to end in October. I want to be completely up front about that, and this is why I want to have a conversation with local people about the big choices we face now. “We need to ensure what we do is value for money for West of England taxpayers and come up with new ideas. For example, I’d like to see far more minibuses in rural areas that aren’t on fixed routes to meet the needs of more communities. I know too that many residents would like to make the switch to buses, not least because so many local people really want to help tackle the climate emergency. We need to design a service that meets more of their needs. So please do get involved with our conversation about buses. I really need your help. Together let’s make big choices.” Information gathered will feed into the Network Review of buses taking place this summer. The ‘Big Choices on Buses’ public meetings will take place 6.30pm-8.30pm on:

• Monday 1st August at Yate Parish Hall, Yate, BS37 5NF. • Tuesday 2nd August at Southdown Methodist Church, The Hollow, Bath, BA2 1NJ. • Wednesday 3rd August at St Augustine’s Church, 2 East Dundry Road, Whitchurch, BS14 0LL

• Thursday 4th August at Brook Way Activity Centre, Brook Way, Bradley Stoke, BS32 9DA For more information on the campaign, including how you can get involved by holding your own public meetings, visit https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/whatwe-do/transport/bus/big-choices-on-buses/

Pensioner critical following collision Police are appealing for witnesses after a

hospital and was last week said to be in a

collision in Hanham resulted in a woman being

critical condition. The driver remained at the

in a critical condition in hospital.

scene with the woman until emergency

The incident happened in Birdwood at around

services arrived.

7.30pm on Friday 15th July when a red Royal

If you have any information which could aid

Mail van collided with a pedestrian.

the investigation, call 101 and quote reference

The woman, who is in her 90s, was taken to

number 5222168573.

The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Seven weeks of traffic disruption for power works As part of the construction of the new £39m Keynsham Recycling Hub, Western Power Distribution have this week started essential work to reinforce their network and provide the necessary infrastructure. The work is set to continue until 11th September. Part of the scheme involves installing a new cable from the junction of Chandag Road and Bath Road (B3116) along the A4 Bath Road and up Pixash Lane to the recycling centre.

There will be manned threeway traffic lights at Chandag Road when the works are taking place and either manned two-way traffic lights or pedestrian crossings when necessary along the rest of the route. Although the cabling work will mainly run in the footpath, there will be lane closures at the junction of the B3116 Bath Road and Keynsham Bypass roundabout to allow safe working and pedestrian

access between Friday (29th July) and 5th August. Western Power Distribution will be working from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturday and 9am to 5pm Sunday (if required). All work on the A4 will be

done at the weekend to reduce traffic disruption. • As we reported last week, overnight resurfacing work expected to last one week starts on the A4 Bath Road in Saltford from Monday 1st August.

COVID-19 update The most up-to-date COVID-19 figures for

The most recent Bristol City Council bulletin

THE WEEK IN

South Gloucestershire on Monday showed 873

(20th July) estimated that 4.6 per cent

reported cases in the previous week (down

of people in Bristol, B&NES and North

from 1,147 the week before that).

Somerset had COVID-19 in the past week, the

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.

The number of COVID-19 patients in the

same as the week before. The number in

North

hospital with COVID-19 had dropped from

Bristol

NHS

Trust

(Southmead

Hospital) was down from 58 to 48.

159 to 129.

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

Stephen Rodgers admin@theweekin.co.uk Becky Feather 07403 273967 Christine Rogers, Sophie Mead, Kamui Oshino

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

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The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

School says farewell to teacher after 41 years Maths teacher Tina Tabor is retiring this summer after spending her entire career – 41 years – at Wellsway School in Keynsham. Tina, who attended Merrywood Grammar School in Bristol and Exeter University, joined Wellsway as a maths teacher in 1981. Three of her former students are among her colleagues as she retires. Over the years she has been a deputy head of year, head of year, head of maths and a member of the senior leadership team at the secondary school. She has served under six headteachers and several acting headteachers. Her long service might not have happened, however. In the early days, she applied for a job elsewhere but was offered a promotion to remain, so she stayed - and stayed! “There have been a few long-serving staff at Wellsway but I think 41 years is a record,” she said. “It has been a pleasure teaching and working with the thousands of young people that have come through the school. I have had many children tell me that I taught their dad or their auntie. So far, not one of them has said that I taught their nan or grandad! I have made many lifelong friends with past and present school staff and I have been fortunate to have been able to be in a profession which I have loved.” Tina received an engraved vase for 40 years’ service but

Cow rescued from river Crews from Hicks Gate, Bedminster and Bath fire stations were called to reports of an animal in difficulty at Broadmead

Tina Tabor, centre, with Futura Learning Partnership chief executive Andrea Arlidge and Wellsway principal Rob Pearsall

decided at that time she was not ready to stop. Now, though, she is looking forward to being able to join her husband Garry on some international trips he makes for his work in the water industry. She will also have more time to spend with daughters and grandchildren. Former workmates returned to celebrate with Tina at an afternoon tea and current colleagues marked her departure at the end-of-term lunch. Wellsway School principal Rob Pearsall said she was “the

very embodiment of a great teacher, a professional with the highest expectations and one who wants the very best for her students”. He added: “She will be greatly missed by staff and students alike.” And Andrea Arlidge, chief executive of Futura Learning Partnership which runs Wellsway, said: “Tina’s dedication to Wellsway School is remarkable. So many colleagues, students and families have cause to be grateful to her. We wish her a hugely enjoyable retirement.”

Lane, Keynsham at 8.36am last Friday. They found a cow stuck in a river, with water rising up to its stomach. Using animal rescue equipment, a safety boat and raft, crews were able to rescue the cow which was left in the hands of the farmer.

Farm’s diversification plans approved A farm near Keynsham has been granted planning permission to turn three old chicken sheds into self-storage units. RW Stratton Farm Partnership told Bath & North East Somerset Council that they had looked into converting Manor

Girl concussed after e-scooter collision Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision between an e-scooter and a teenage girl in Kingswood. A 14-year-old girl was walking through Kingswood Park, off the High Street, on Wednesday 13th July between 6pm and 6.30pm when the incident happened. After the collision, the rider initially stopped to assist the girl

Farm at Burnett to a free-range egg production operation but that had not been possible due to factors including the landscape and drainage. The owners said that Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and the Co-op have stopped purchasing eggs from caged facilities and now only purchase free-range eggs, while other major supermarkets have confirmed that they too will be purchasing free-range eggs only from 2025. A resurfaced access is planned to improve road safety at Old Burnett Lane as part of the scheme.

before running from the scene. He is described as white, of slim build, between 40 and 50 years old, with short, cropped grey hair. The teenager sustained a broken collar bone and had a

Number plates stolen

concussion. She was taken to hospital and has since been

Someone stole the front and rear number plates from a car

discharged.

that was parked on Monmouth Road in Keynsham during the

If you have any information which could aid the

night of Tuesday 5th July.

investigation, call 101 and give the call handler the reference

If you have any information about this incident, call 101 or

number 5222166740.

Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Residents’ dismay over delayed schools The announcement that the new Lyde Green schools are going to be delayed yet again has been met with dismay. We reported last week that the anticipated opening is now September 2024 as details have still to be finalised for the shared site at Honeysuckle Road. The parties involved are South Gloucestershire Council, the South West Regional Schools Commissioner’s Office, the Department of Education, Olympus Academy Trust, who will run the new secondary school, and Castle School Education Trust, who already run the estate’s first primary school in Willowherb Road and will run the delayed one. Challenging market conditions in the construction industry are impacting on project costs and The Week In understands that the cost of building the two schools has soared significantly from the previously quoted £30m. Both the council and Department for Education are looking to secure best value “within a reasonable timescale”. The council has pledged to ensure that there are sufficient places at other schools to meet demand until the new buildings are available, including providing transport assistance if necessary. Comments on social media in response to our story have included: “I moved to Lyde Green seven years ago on the basis that schools would be built in plenty of time. “Houses flying up by the day and zero amenities to deal with the number of people living here. We need to start making a lot more noise about this, totally unacceptable.” One resident observed: “Been living in Lyde Green for five years, was really hoping it would be ready for 2023 intake. We have had to go to a primary school in Mangotsfield and now looks like Mangotsfield Secondary School will be my son’s option. (Not faulting Mangotsfield Secondary School whatsoever as my daughter will be finishing there.) Really disappointed and let down! No amenities in Lyde Green to support all these houses and families. At least we have a Sainsbury’s!” This week Matt Palmer, a town councillor for Emersons Green, which includes Lyde Green, said: “Time and time again assurances and promises have been broken by both

South Gloucestershire Council and the Government. School places are reaching a critical point and there continues to be no fixed solution to deal with this. Placing children in schools that are expanding their capacity puts pressure on these schools to deliver; this also causes further problems for students who have to use transport to get to these schools. “The situation is most definitely at crisis point, especially with the removal of a bulge class at the current primary school; this was putting extreme pressure on the school, causing major capacity issues. Thirty-five families were affected by the removal of the bulge class this year and there will be many more affected. “With construction work not due to start until 2023 and negotiations still happening, it is questionable whether South Gloucestershire Council’s assurance that the school will be

ready to open in 2024 is reliable.” • Whilst the negotiations on the new school buildings are taking longer than anticipated, progress has been made on creation of the shared-use sports facilities, which will benefit the new schools as well as local sports clubs and the wider community. It is hoped they will be ready for community use later this year.

New schools marred by a series of delays The planned opening date of Lyde Green’s new schools was September 2022 - but building work has yet to start. Lyde Green’s first primary school opened in 2015 and separate primary and secondary schools in the north east of the new estate were approved in outline in May 2016. However, the plans had to be redesigned westwards after a high pressure gas main was discovered and the new site chosen for the new schools was said to be the only possible option. But it meant it would be on land earmarked for the estate’s second local centre, with retail and other facilities. South Gloucestershire and Stroud Academy Trust (SGS) Academy Trust’s first bid for funding for an all-through school for children aged four to 16 under the Department for Education’s Free Schools programme was turned down in 2019. The trust then bid again to open a secondary school and found out in early 2021 that it had been successful. Planning permission for the co-located 420-place primary

and 900-place secondary school was granted in March 2021 and South Gloucestershire Council said it was working with Castle School Education Trust (CSET) and the Regional Schools Commissioner to commission the new primary phase, supported by £8.5m investment made through the 2020-21 council budget. However, the whole project was delayed last summer when builders Willmott Dixon were replaced by BAM Construction and SGS were replaced by the Olympus Academy Trust. At the time Willmott Dixon told us: “After exhausting all options to progress the scheme, by mutual agreement it was agreed that Willmott Dixon would conclude its preconstruction contract with the council.” The Regional Schools Commissioner, SGS and the council all gave similar reasons for ths switch in sponsor - that SGS were “not able to continue their involvement into the preopening phase of the school” – but did not say why.

Making the streets safer Funding of almost £1.4m to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violence against women and girls has been awarded to local authorities in the Avon and Somerset Police force area, including Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset. The money is from the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund. Bristol City Council will receive just over £748,000 to tackle and prevent ASB in two hotspot areas in south

Bristol with improving lighting and CCTV as well as increasing youth work and activities. B&NES Council will receive over £328,000 to tackle ASB and violence against women and girls with a particular focus on Bath city centre. Interventions include improved lighting and CCTV to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety at night as well as more youth outreach. Projects in Somerset and North Somerset also got funding. The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

One of Kingswood’s oldest churches set to close The United Church Kingswood, known to many as the Moravian Church, has voted to close its doors in December 2022. Founded in the mid-18th century by John Cennick as a Moravian church during the great Christian revival, worship

Bus shelter demolished A car crashed into the bus stop opposite Lyde Green Primary School in Willowherb Road the weekend before last, leaving it damaged beyond repair. As the road has yet to be adopted by South Gloucestershire Council, the developer is said to be responsible for the shelter’s removal. We understand a temporary pole and timetable case will be installed.

has continued on this site for 280 years. In 1992 the congregation combined with Whitefield United Reformed Church to form the United Church Kingswood. In a statement the church said: “It has now become very difficult to maintain the fellowship owing to a lack of active members. Put simply, there are not enough able-bodied people to fill the positions required to organise and run social activities, children and young people’s groups, upkeep of the buildings and grounds, or the witness and outreach the community associates with a thriving church. “Many people have good memories of this place, and we hope and pray there is still time to recover the situation. The church is on a reasonably sound but modest footing financially, but we urgently need more active friends and helpers to share in the privilege of keeping this historic building and site open. “We are a welcoming church and offer modern facilities. A

THE TILE AND BATHROOM WAREHOUSE

traditional Sunday morning worship service takes place at 10.30am and we hope to introduce contemporary style allage family worship at the earliest opportunity.” Contact Rev Patsy Holdsworth on 0117 9078994 if you can help.

National Trust Tile Collection by Sarsen Stone Group

A passage through time A remarkable collection of beautiful tiles showcased exclusively in Bristol's largest independent Tile & Bathroom Warehouse

6 Eldon Wall Trading Estate, Bristol BS4 3QQ The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Web: thetileandbathroomwarehouse.com | Tel: 01179 770011 7

LETTERS Asda supermarket is not in Longwell Green

Location, Location, Location:

surroundings are more personable.

"dangers" relating to the uneven road surface

Anything within the area from Greenbank

Philip Gannaway

throws up an anomaly that has always amused

Dear Editor

to Marsham Way. Anything bounded within

I have just picked up to read your Issue 739

Marsham Way, A4174, Wraxall Road, Cadbury

(20th July 2022) edition to see the headline

Heath Road, and Woodward Drive is within the

Road to the Butcher's Arms is in Stonehill up

‘KFC confirms plans to open drive-thru in

South Gloucestershire Council’s ‘Bermuda

Longwell Green’ and the article continues to

Trapezium’, or as it should be known and is the

state “it is behind the controversial plans to

first area in your list, Barrs Court.

open a 24-hour drive-thru in Asda's Longwell

So everything ‘labelled’ Longwell Green above

Green car park”.

the A4174 is geographically wrong, but again,

So, accuracy:

politics, politics and will leave it at that.

1. KFC behind the drive-thru, yes.

Roy Carthy

me as the debate rages on. That is of course the

Extinction Rebellion is a ‘cheery cult’ Dear Editor My life feels empty and without purpose so I’m thinking of joining Extinction Rebellion. I like their single-issue attitude, the way they complain without having to consider viable solutions. I don’t enjoy discussion groups – if I want your opinion, I’ll tell you what it should

2. It’s going to be in Asda's car park, again yes.

be.

3. Longwell Green car park, absolutely no

I’ve got a couple of worries though that I hope some of your readers can clear up. I don’t

Why?

Positive action needed

History:

Dear Editor

Whilst the store may have been given the name

Whilst deserving credit for their attentiveness,

Longwell Green, it is not in Longwell Green.

the recent proposal by our Keynsham

Planning permission was granted for the initial

councillors to improve safety for pedestrians

store to be built on this site by Kingswood

along the High Street fails to solve the core

District Council in Warmley, because at that

issue of how to prevent pedestrians tripping off

time this area was classed as Warmley.

the controversial double-stepped kerb between

The reasons why I know this area are firstly,

the cycle lane and the road (Issue 738).

when we moved here on 1981, I wrote to the

Instead of skirting around the problem in order

Royal Mail asking for our correct postal

to spare the dubious credentials of highway

address and was told for us it was Sassoon

planners

Court, Barrs Court, Bristol, BS15 7BQ.

aberration running through the High Street,

Secondly, as the store developed, I have had

Bath and North East Somerset Council need to

various communications with Asda and on one

grasp the nettle and order its removal before

occasion the lady responding advised me that

there is a fatality.

she had checked their records and found

The double-stepped island looks unsightly,

planning permission had been granted for the

serves no useful purpose to further enhance

store to be built in Warmley, not Longwell

cyclists’ safety and should never have been

Green, and could not explain why the store had

installed in the first place. The fact remains that

been named as such.

the number of pedestrians crossing the High

After research I found out why; Kingswood

Sreet far outnumber cyclists using the cycle

District Council had the road to the store off

lane. Their safety must surely take priority over

Bath Road constructed and in the days of maps,

the highway planners’ questionable stance that

the area the road that came off was in Longwell

the stepped kerb complies with Government-

(There’s only one form of free speech

Green and this misdirection was used by some

approved specifications.

permitted)

to ensure that everything around here over the

It is time the faffing about was replaced with

years was called Longwell Green, although the

positive action. Remove this eyesore and

Cycle lane is pointless

district starts at the Butcher's Arms on the A431

replace it with trees and shrubs. Keynsham’s

Dear Editor

and finishes at Woodward Drive (rough

busy High Street deserves to be restored to

I see from your picture of Keynsham High

boundary lines).

where pedestrians feel safe, and where the

Street (page 3, Issue 738) that the issue of its

who

designed

this

hazardous

understand how gluing myself to a train might persuade 200 million Indians that starvation is a better option than burning coal. Similarly, why might preventing people from attending hospital appointments change China’s march to prosperity? I’ve got no interest in politics and I think that pressure groups promote the interests of small minorities at the expense of all others, but Extinction Rebellion attracts me because it is neither. It’s a cheery cult. With happy members banging drums while chanting rehearsed

much maligned cycle lane. As your picture clearly shows, by way of an arrow pointing the way of the direction to follow, that the cycle lane is clearly ‘one way only’? That begs the question as to why no consideration has been given to cyclists traveling in the opposite direction on the other side of the road. Are these cyclists less important? Was it decided that they would have to get on with it, as they do on most roads? It is even more ridiculous when you consider that the cycle lane runs against the flow of oncoming traffic (although obviously not in contact with it, unlike the poor souls on the other side!) So, in summary I draw the conclusion that the cycle lane is pointless (unless I'm missing something here?) and it would be better if it were removed altogether, thus solving all the ‘tripping’ problems. This in turn would save the council more wasted money and make cyclists adhere to the one-way system like the rest of us. Simple! John Howlett, Keynsham

mantras, obstructing the road wearing the martyr’s cloak of self-justified importance. If I

Write to us

was a cynic, I might conclude that the objective of Extinction Rebellion was closer to home. Civil disobedience for its own sake. Building a core of dedicated members to become a political force prepared for direct (and destructive) action when the time becomes right. I think I’m a bit old for that sort of thing. I’ll just carry on trying to be nice to people. Name withheld for fear of reprisals

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The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Secretary of State stops planning consent for 213 houses on Keynsham fields The Secretary of State has stepped in and stopped planning consent for 213 homes at Withies Green in Keynsham. In May we reported that a call had been made for the Secretary of State to act after the “premature” decision by Bath & North East Somerset Council to allow developers Mactaggart & Mickel outline planning permission to develop the greenfield site next to the new Hygge Park development. Saltford Environment Group, Saltford Parish Council and Keynsham Town Council contacted MP Jacob Rees-Mogg who made strong representations on their behalf to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. There had been almost 600 objections to the plans. Most of the concerns related to the impact on the already congested A4, on air quality and the loss of greenfield land that helps to maintain the separation of Keynsham and Saltford. Objectors also said the land was supposed to have been safeguarded against development until at least 2029 and that

the decision pre-empted the public examination looking into the council’s Local Plan Partial Update (which has since taken place). The outline planning permission included a new playing field for the Two Rivers C of E Primary School being built at Hygge Park, as well as allotments, a community orchard and open space. Part of the development site is still in the Green Belt but there was an assurance that there would be no new buildings on that part; instead it would be used for open uses only. Saltford Environment Group has welcomed the news that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now written to B&NES Council and stated that under Article 31 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Secretary of State directs the council not to grant permission “without specific authorisation”.

Withies Green

This Article 31 direction was issued to enable the Secretary of State to consider whether he should direct under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that the application should be referred to him for determination.

Next shipment for Ukraine being packed up At McGill’s warehouse in Keynsham on Saturday 16th July, volunteers from Brislington-based charity Hope for Ukraine endured the heat to get as much aid as possible packed, weighed and palletised ready for the next shipment to help people in the war-torn country. The charity has already sent one lorry load of aid to help people in Chernivtsi in south-western Ukraine. The team say they probably need another 10 pallets for the upcoming shipment. The final push is for donations of food, mobility aids and generators,

together with anything else on the specified items list which can be found at www.hopeforukraine.org.uk If anyone can help with supplying any of these items in bulk, such as food items at cost, contact the charity on info@hopeforukraine.org.uk For up-to-date details of what donations are needed, and the opening times of donation hubs in and around Keynsham, visit the website or search ‘Hope for Ukraine Bristol’ on Facebook. You can also get in touch by calling 07933 712584.

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 31st July

2 -Hard

Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Boots, Emersons Green Retail Park (10.30am-4.30pm) Sainsbury’s, Emersons Green Retail Park (9.30am-4.30pm) 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 27th July 2022

Work starts on new 20-home development Housing association Curo and contractor Clayewater Homes have officially started works to build 20 new affordable homes on the site of a former car garage at Soundwell Road. The £5.3m brownfield development will deliver six homes for social rent and 14 homes for sale through the low-cost homeownership scheme, shared ownership. The site straddles the boundary between Bristol and South Gloucestershire, with the official start of works being marked by Cabinet members responsible for housing at the two local authorities. Cllr Tom Renhard, Bristol City Council’s Cabinet member for housing delivery and homes, said: “Housing associations are key partners in building new homes for Bristol and we’re working with Curo on a number of other developments across the city where we’re supporting delivery of new affordable

housing with grant funding.” Cllr Steve Reade, Cabinet member with responsibility for new housing at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “It is a pleasure to mark the start of this exciting scheme which will deliver high-quality, affordable housing within South

grants totalling more than £1.3m. Curo’s deputy managing director of housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, said: “Developments like this one at Soundwell Road can deliver much-needed inner-city regeneration of brownfield sites, helping to lift the area and provide new

Gloucestershire. “We have a strong track record of affordable housing delivery, with South Gloucestershire regularly delivering more than 40% of all new affordable homes in the West of England region built each year, as a result of us working with our housing association partners and developers.” Featuring solar panels which will help to reduce future residents’ electricity bills, the one, two, three, and fourbedroom homes are being delivered thanks to a Curo investment of just under £4m, alongside funding from the Government’s housing agency, Homes England, and other

homes for local families at the same time. We’re working on other similar sites in Bristol, at Lawrence Weston, Old Market, Bishopsworth and Filwood, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to build more affordable homes for local people.” The homes at Soundwell Road are due to be completed by the end of 2023. Pictured from right are Cllr Steve Reade from South Glos Council, Cllr Tom Renhard from Bristol City Council, Sarah Maylor from Curo, Clayewater Homes’ land director Paul Madge & Clayewater Homes’ managing director Brian Webber.

Consultation on plans for up to 370 homes in Brislington

Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

2. Disentangle (7)

1. Tramp (4)

7. Dappled horse (4)

2. Single entity (4)

8. Carbamide (4)

3. Bacon slice (6)

9. Abuses (7)

4. Bravery (6)

10. Price (4)

5. Craving (4)

12. Horse's gait (4)

6. Blocking vote (4)

15. Blood ingredient (5) 10. Conceal (5,2) 17. Church officer (6)

11. Exceed (7)

18. Distant (6)

13. Cockerel (7)

19. Harvested (6)

14. By that means (7)

21. Cutting tool (6)

15. Cut off (5)

22. Mass meeting (5)

16. Clemency (5)

23. Mail (4)

20. Tuberous plant (6)

26. Military force (4)

21. Floodgate (6)

People are invited to have their say on emerging plans for the redevelopment of the Castle Court site in Brislington – including a 20-storey housing block. The site was acquired by Sovereign Housing Association in May 2020 for more than £9m. It currently houses several outlets including Citroën, Peugeot and Volvo dealerships. The site is located between Paintworks to the west, the River Avon to the north, terraced housing to the south, and St Philips Causeway to the east. The development will have between 350 and 370 homes. Around 50% will be ‘affordable’. The buildings range from three storeys to 20 storeys. Sovereign’s plans also include around 500sq.m of nonresidential flexible spaces which could accommodate a café and community uses. Find out more at www.sovereign.org.uk/developinghomes/castle-court where there is an online survey.

24. Wild party (4) 28. ------- Wilberforce, anti-slavery pioneer 25. Small branch (4) (7) 26. In the middle of (4) 29. Citrus fruit (4) 27. Humble (4) 30. Mountain goat (4) 31. Enterprising (2-5)

The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Keynsham Town Council hands out awards to more than 40 good causes Grants were handed out by the town council to more than 40 community organisations in Keynsham last Thursday night. The presentation event was held at The Space and was hosted by Cllr Dave Biddleston, chair of the council’s grants committee. It felt more like a comedy event than a council meeting and the humour deserved an award of its own. Every grant went towards a great cause that the organisations are working on. Each representative was welcomed to the stage to accept their grant from the council’s vice chair Cllr Clive Fricker, deliver a short speech about what the grant would be used for, and were then invited to pick a raffle number for a prize. Prizes included wine, a tree, a rather tasty selection of sweets and vouchers for local eateries including Cinnamon and Laviano’s. Each story was heartfelt and the sense of community echoed throughout the hall. The Week In Community Ltd was among the recipients. The grant will be used to purchase video recording equipment to help us expand our digital coverage.

The organisations receiving grants were: 1st Keynsham Scout Group (£1,000) 3rd Keynsham Girls’ Brigade (£600) Age UK B&NES (£500) Avon Wildlife Trust (Keynsham) (£310) Bath Area Play Project (£1,100) Bath & District Citizens Advice Bureau (£1,100) Bereavement Support Keynsham (£750) Bristol History & Archaeology Society (£567.32) Butterflies Haven (£1,000) Community at 67 (£900) Churches Together Keynsham & Saltford (£1,100) Friends of Somerdale Educate Together (£1,100) Fry’s Bowling Club (£804) Fry’s Netball Club (£1,000) Golden Oldies Charity (£496) Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (£1,100) Key Voices (£525) Keynsham & District Mencap Society (£1,100) Keynsham Bowling Club (£1,000) Keynsham Children’s Centre (£1,100)

Alan Hale receiving Bereavement Support Keynsham’s award

Keynsham Community Energy (£1,100) Keynsham District Guides (£1,100) Keynsham Explorer Scouts (£1,000) Keynsham Hockey Club (£1,100) Keynsham Life Saving Club (£783) Keynsham Light Opera Group (£300) Keynsham Orchestra (£1,000) Keynsham Repair Café (£600) Keynsham Town Community Radio (KTCRfm) (£1,100) Keynsham Walkers are Welcome (£600) Keynsham Wombles Transition (£800) Longwell Lightning Netball Club (£1,030.66)

One Church Keynsham (£1,100) Queens Road Methodist Church Pre-School (£425) Saltford Santa Dash (£1,100) Sight Support West of England (£1,000) Somerdale Pavilion Park Run (£600) Somerdale Shed and Community Garden (£1,100) Somerset Farmers’ Markets Ltd (£1,000) St John’s School Association (£1,100) SWAN Advice Network (£450) The Week In Community (£604) Wellsway School Green Team (£400) Sophie Mead

The event was held at The Space Erica Davies from Keynsham Wombles receiving the grant

Bereavement

Charity’s urgent call for volunteers Citizens Advice in Bath & North East Somerset are calling for volunteers to train as advisers to help people with their debt and benefit problems. There have been recent national reports of an increase in first-time shoplifters and forecourt thefts, showing how the cost of living crisis is pushing people to do things they would never normally consider doing. Simon Lawson, CEO of the charity, said: “It’s clear that when people don’t feel they have somewhere to turn, some will take actions that they would usually never dream of. That’s why we need to train new volunteer advisers as soon as possible, so people have somewhere to turn.” Anyone who wants to register or find out more about volunteering for the charity can do so by heading to their website - www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk/volunteer-advisersrecruitment/ 12

The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Legion’s thank you evening for members and supporters Members and supporters of the Bitton and Oldland Royal British Legion (RBL) branch gathered on a lovely summer evening at Avon Valley Railway. The occasion was to say thank you to those who have helped with the Poppy Appeal over the past year, including at Asda Longwell Green, which raised a total of £24,500. Jackie Roberson, who is RBL chairman for the County of Gloucestershire, which also includes South Gloucestershire, was the speaker. She explained how funds raised in the Poppy Appeal are used across the country to support members and former members of the Armed Forces and their families wherever there is a need. She brought with her the Platinum Jubilee book which will be presented to Her Majesty the Queen. It contains a double page from each branch in the county and the photo shows the Bitton and Oldland page being completed. Standing from left are Seamus Brennan, RBL's members' support officer, Jackie Robertson, local Poppy Appeal organiser Dawn Harrill and branch chairman Jeff Dando. Seated is the branch president Ken Gibson. If you would like to help with this year's Poppy Appeal in November contact Dawn Harrill at dawners@btinternet.com

Longwell Green WI report At Longwell Green WI’s July meeting, members had a very interesting and informative talk by Susan Symons on Victoria, the Widowed Queen. Mary Sykes from Stockwood WI visited to report on her visit to the National Federation of Women's Institutes’ Annual Meeting in Liverpool. There is no meeting in August but a cream tea is being arranged for members. When they return to regular meetings in September there will be a talk entitled ‘The Bowler Hat Turner’. The branch has lots of groups that members can participate in. There are book clubs, walking groups, a knitting group, skittles and social suppers. On the first Thursday of the month members meet at The Chapel coffee shop in Longwell Green for Tea and Chat. Longwell Green WI regular meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm at The Centre in Longwell Green and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in visiting get in touch by email at longwellwi@gmail.com, call 0117 9864782 or just come along. Linda Muller

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news

Jubilee tree-planting ceremony The editor of The Week In, Becky Feather, planted a tree in Bitton at the weekend as part of the village’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Becky, who lives in the village, was invited by Bitton Village Residents’ Association to plant a rowan tree on the green at the entrance to the new Linden Homes estate. Traditionally rowans are planted near a gate to protect a home and Becky said it was appropriate that it had been chosen at the gateway to the village’s new development, Bitton Mill.

Pub supports families again

Situations Vacant

The Crown Inn in Keynsham is again helping families feed their children this summer. Children can eat for £1 all summer long, Monday to Friday from noon until 5pm. There is a choice of meals and no obligation to buy a main meal. Families who can afford to are invited to put in £1 so those who can't afford lunch can come for the kids’ meals. The pub has been helping families in need for many years, giving out more than 200,000 free meals.

www.facebook.com/theweekin The Week in • Wednesday 27th July 2022

Sudoku Solutions 1-Easy 4 9 1 7 5 3 6 8 2

2 3 6 8 4 1 7 5 9

8 7 5 9 6 2 4 1 3

1 6 7 4 3 5 9 2 8

Crossword Solution

2-Hard 5 8 9 2 1 7 3 6 4

3 2 4 6 8 9 5 7 1

9 5 8 1 7 4 2 3 6

6 4 3 5 2 8 1 9 7

7 1 2 3 9 6 8 4 5

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