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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset 3rd August 2022

Issue 741

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We were ignored over Keynsham High Street concerns, say disability campaigners Disability campaigners say they warned Bath & North

But Susan Charles is questioning the latest

East Somerset Council about design and safety problems

changes, saying: “They are not going to

with the £1.5m Keynsham High Street refurbishment -

improve the High Street for visitors which

but were ignored.

has been a popular shopping and business

Susan Charles, who chairs Access B&NES, contacted The

area due to its level access.”

Week In to say they were consulted but the council did not

She explained: “The Access group that I am

heed their concerns - including over the stepped kerb

a member of was asked by the B&NES

between the cycle lane and the road where dozens of people

equality team to meet with one of the High

have tripped or fallen, some injuring themselves seriously.

Street refurbishment project team members

The equality group said it had also flagged up the difficulties

for our comments. Our members have years

that people who are mobility challenged would have in

of experience of their disability, some since

crossing the road with the different levels and how they may

birth. The project team member showed us

not easily be able to get to the zebra crossing or one of the

the proposed plans and our members

two informal crossing points if they are on crutches or in a

pointed out the difficulties which are now

manual wheelchair, for example.

happening. When the refurb was completed

consultation events. We were not surprised. This behaviour

We reported in our last issue that the council was due to carry

many of the changes had not been shown on the original

is not unusual by B&NES Council. We predicted the

out works this week following a road safety audit. The new

plans, such as the bollards, and were certainly not

problems. Businesses are suffering. People are not safe even

measures include installing red Tarmac through the length of

improvements for those who are mobility challenged.

without a disability.”

cycle lane to enhance demarcation, reducing the width of the

Everything else was as the original plan shown that day.

Susan said the latest plan “will have cyclists weaving in and

solid white line marking the edge of the cycle lane, in line

Decision made. We were not listened to, or our comments

out of pedestrians who don’t understand the contrasting

with Department for Transport standards, and increasing the

considered.

colour - and is green or red even the right colour for the

number of cycle symbol markings along the cycle lane.

“We have two members using powered wheelchairs, two

partially-sighted to be able to see?”

The council has also said it would be adding some extra

members partially sighted, one having a stroke 30 years ago

She is also concerned that the extra planters will cause more

planters in the forthcoming months “which we hope will

uses a travelator and walks sideways. I've been a wheelchair

hazards for the blind and partially-sighted “and at the present

further improve safety by directing people more clearly

user, had crutches, and a walking stick.”

height will destabilise the unexpected pedestrian”.

towards the pedestrian crossings”.

She added: “We also made likewise written comments at the

Susan, who has thanked The Week In for our continued

Susan Charles in Keynsham High Street

coverage of the problems, is now calling for the levelling of Continued on page 3

Also in this week’s issue

New lease of life for vacant Outfit store in Longwell Green . . . page 3

ASB and noise concerns over Kingswood pub expansion . . . page 3

Hanham pensioner dies after collision . . . page 4

5G protest outside Keynsham school . . . page 13

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

We were ignored over Keynsham High Street concerns, say disability campaigners Continued from page 1 the road and pavements including the cycle path and highlight its colour; also that one-way motor vehicles travel at 10mph and that cyclists disembark at the start of the High Street and push to the end of the High Street or cycle around Ashton Way with other traffic. She added: “The council should give priority to pedestrians or face more accident claims in the future.” If B&NES Council responds to the concerns raised by Access B&NES, we will publish them in our next edition. There has not yet been an announcement from the council about whether the other recommendations that the audit threw up will be implemented. A total of 15 were made including replacing the “incorrect” tactile paving arrangements that do not guide users to the beacon at the zebra crossing in the High Street and changing the “incorrect and lifting tactile paving” that could cause confusion and result in trips or falls at the uncontrolled Bath Hill pedestrian crossing. See also Letters, page 8

New lease of life proposed for vacant Outfit store Plans have been announced to turn the old Outfit store in Longwell Green into three separate shops – and people are already offering ideas of what they would like to go in there. The planning application for Unit E at Gallagher Retail Park has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Ropemaker Properties Ltd. It involves new shopfront entrances so that the unit can be sub-divided into three separate units. Fashion retailer Outfit was part of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group and one of the anchor stores at the retail park. Arcadia collapsed into administration in late 2020 with COVID-19 said to have severely impacted sales across the group. The store did not reopen after lockdown and officially closed in 2021. The planning application says: “Having marketed the unit for reuse, it is apparent that there is a need to sub-divide the unit to provide a series of smaller retail units.” It adds: “Overall, there is a clear opportunity to breathe fresh life into a vacant retail unit, bringing with it the benefits of a modernised street presence, renewed employment and diversification of local amenities.” The retail park is already home to M&S, Next, New Look, River Island, Boots, Clinton Cards, Clarks and Starbucks.

Greggs are planning to open in the vacant Carphone Warehouse store. There is no indication what shops might be interested in moving in but we asked people on social media what they would like to see there and ideas came flooding in. Here are some of them: Wilko, Hobbycraft, Poundland, B&M, The Range, Home Bargains, Dunelm, Matalan, Peacocks, The Works, Iceland, TK Maxx/Homesense, a sports outlet or a charity shop. Other ideas included independent cafés, restaurants and shops, a bank, soft play/childcare or even a doctors’/dental surgery. The planning reference is P22/03949/F.

Wetherspoon’s expansion plans come under fire Plans to extend the Wetherspoon’s pub in Kingswood town

bottles, cans, etc. that are just left on

centre have come under fire.

walls,

South Gloucestershire Council is currently considering plans for

Wetherspoon’s never clears up.

a single-storey rear extension to The Kingswood Colliers in

“On top of that, weekends are

Regent Street to create more indoor seating, plus the extension

hideous for anti-social behaviour,

of the beer garden into the car park.

having drunk people damaging

The extension at the rear of the property will add approximately

property, cars, tipping over bins,

80 square metres of internal floor area.

screaming, shouting, throwing glass

Concerns have been flagged up by people living nearby

at all hours, and building onto the

including that the garden already creates a substantial amount

already existing beer garden would

of noise late into the evening and fears that there would be an

just encourage more of this.”

increase in anti-social behaviour.

Another local resident said: "The

Objections on the council's planning website include: “Every

current noise pollution from the

day and night there is a huge amount of noise and when walking

garden

through the main high street on a morning (especially the

collection and staff emptying bins early in the morning has a

mean the garden area would extend to within approximately 20

weekend) there is a lot of litter, broken glass bottles, alcohol

daily impact on the residents. The proposed changes would

metres of bedroom windows."

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

roads,

area,

pavements

deliveries,

that

waste

Tribute to ‘lovely’ pensioner who died after collision Tribute has been paid to a 90-yearold Hanham woman who died a week after a collision with a Royal Mail van. Nancy Valentine was critically hurt in the collision in Birdwood in Hanham on Friday 15th July. The driver remained at the scene with her until emergency services arrived. Nancy was taken to hospital and sadly died a week later on Friday 22nd July. With no living family, Nancy’s neighbour Steve Shaddick who “considered her like family” has paid a moving tribute to her. He said: “Nancy was an active 90year-old lady. She lived alone and looked after herself and her beloved cat, Poppy, who she adored. She kept a

THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.

diary as she had done for many years, making an entry every day about the weather and her activities. She loved crosswords, puzzles and did a lot of reading. “She regularly won crossword contests and had a good circle of loyal friends who helped her out when needed. She lived with her mother with whom she looked after until she passed away. “She was a lady set in her ways, independent and got on with life. She was a lovely elderly lady and she will be sadly missed.” An investigation into the fatal collision is ongoing, and police are appealing for

witnesses who may have seen or have footage from a dash cam or doorbell/CCTV of the incident. The collision happened at around 1pm on 15th July, not 7.30pm as the initial appeal from the police stated. If you can help the police call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222168573.

Horse rescued Crews from Hicks Gate, Bath and Bedminster fire stations were called out late last Thursday afternoon to rescue a horse from the river at Pixash Lane, Keynsham.

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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

No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of The Week In. All rights reserved. The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Council to take enforcement action over illegal hill Bath & North East Somerset Council is to take enforcement action against the sixmetre hill created unlawfully at the site near Keynsham which has been earmarked for a giant anaerobic digester plant. The council informed the group Protect Our Keynsham Environment (POKE) of its intention last week. POKE is at the forefront of the fight against the anerobic digester (AD) at the old Queen Charlton Quarry. Developer Resourceful Energy Anaerobic Limited (REAL) is appealing after the council’s planning committee refused the waste-to-power plant in March. REAL wants to increase capacity at the site from the previously approved 25,000 tonnes of organic materials or feedstocks per year to 92,000 tonnes. More than 800 people objected and the council refused the scheme on the grounds that it is not a suitable site for such a large development, would harm road safety and the road network and would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt as well as harming the openness of the Green Belt because of land raising. It would also harm protected species, vulnerable people in terms

of noise and air quality and could impact Queen Charlton’s proposed ‘liveable neighbourhood’ scheme. POKE has been holding a series of public meetings to garner support to fight the appeal at the three-week inquiry in October, and that its team of experts will be “filling in gaps” that that the council has missed. POKE says it needs at least £20,000 to pay for its campaign which includes hiring a planning consultant, transport consultant, barrister and anaerobic digestion expert. Speaking at the public meeting in Whitchurch Village last Thursday, POKE’s planning consultant Rob Duff said he had heard the previous day from the council’s planning officer about the intended enforcement action against the land raising. POKE has been calling for enforcement for several years and Mr Duff called it a “great step forward” which would greatly strengthen their case at appeal. POKE says there is no need for the AD site as there are already numerous ones in the region and crops (maize) would have to be grown and brought in specifically to feed it. Mr Duff said that POKE’s AD expert Dr Leslie Keith Gornall has flagged up design

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

flaws with REAL’s scheme, in particular that REAL has not added in water to its proposed operations. Mr Duff said REAL may be able to extract it on site but had not presented any evidence it could do that or whether water tankers would need to come in daily. Mr Duff said that as part of the inquiry there will be a round-table session where local people can tell the inspector how the AD scheme will affect them, for example, the odour, bioaerosols, noise, harm from traffic movements and harm to the Green Belt. REAL says the development will generate 19,200 HGV trips a year (76 a day), over half

of them through Whitchurch Village. POKE says it will be 28,500 (112 a day). During the harvest period (eight weeks) REAL says there will be on average 83 trips per day but POKE says it will be 196. The applicant’s traffic management plan requires that all HGVs travelling to and from the site go via Charlton Road/Woollard Lane, to the junction with the A37 but POKE says there is every chance that some would abuse the Charlton Road weight restriction and drive through Keynsham. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/yzvtfmyd

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Last week we reported that Regional Mayor Dan Norris was urging local communities to hold ‘Big Choice’ meetings over the future of bus services in our area. This week has seen the first of some of those public consultation meetings and The Week In will also be hosting one specifically for services in East Bristol and towards Bath. Our Big Choices meeting takes place on Thursday 11th August at The Space in Keynsham, starting at 6.30pm. The aim of the meeting is not to complain about the current state of the bus network but to try to find out more about people’s priorities against the backdrop of difficult operating conditions and financial constraints. The meeting will be chaired by The Week In publisher Stephen Rodgers and Mayor Norris will be in attendance to outline some of the potentially difficult choices which lie ahead. While the West of England Combined Authority has obtained central funding of more than £600m from next year, this is primarily for future infrastructure projects aimed at getting people out of their cars and on to public transport. But the present-day situation is one of local bus companies trying to maintain service levels with only three-quarters of their prepandemic revenue and Government support due to run out next month. Driver shortages caused by a number of factors have added to the problem, severely testing the resilience of

the bus network in our area. While not yet announced officially, it is widely expected that First will cut another raft of bus services in the autumn, including the 178 between Radstock and Bristol via Keynsham. So when Dan Norris talks about ‘big choices’ and ‘short-term pain’ the sort of questions he wants answered are whether we would accept fewer services which were more reliable, what will it take for non-bus passengers to switch, what is a realistic bus fare and to what degree bus services should be supported by public money. Although next week’s meeting takes place in Keynsham, The Week In publisher Stephen Rodgers hopes that people will attend who have a particular interest in bus services on this side of Bristol and to and from Bath. “In recent years bus services between Kingswood and Keynsham as well as places like Hanham and Bitton to Bath have been a regular part of our headlines. The West of England Combined Authority is the local transport authority for a vast area but I feel the ‘eastern orbital’ routes and access to central Bath are vital for local people’s employment, education and healthcare. “It is clear that the bus network of the future will look vastly different to what it is today but maintaining key links between Kingswood and Keynsham as well as to Bath can play a major part in reducing our dependence on cars in this area.”

Plans for 5 houses Plans

have

been

submitted

South

two four-bed bed semis, and one four-bed

Gloucestershire Council to build five houses

detached house.

to the rear of 31 Orchard Road in Kingswood.

The application includes part-retrospective

The application has been lodged by eHomes

permission for an access road.

Ltd for two three-bed semi-detached houses,

The planning reference is P22/03897/F.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Closure order against nuisance property causing misery to neighbours Police have successfully applied for a three-month closure order against a property in Hillfields amid reports of drug use and other criminal activity. Since April they say they have received calls regarding

Teenage scooter rider injured Police are appealing for witnesses and any dash cam or other footage after a scooter rider was injured at Vassall Road in Fishponds. Witnesses describe a car apparently deliberately being driven towards the 19-year-old who was riding an electric scooter on the road at the time. The driver of the car – which was described as a red Skoda - failed to stop. The victim went to hospital for treatment to serious injuries following the incident at about 11pm on Tuesday 19th July. Officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries as part of their ongoing investigation. If you were on Vassall Road and saw the incident - or the vehicle in the moments before or afterwards - call 101 and give the reference 5222172210. The same applies if you have any dash cam, CCTV, doorbell or other footage which could help the investigation. Alternatively ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

racially-aggravated language, drug dealing and fighting relating to a residential address in La Maison in Deans Drive. Following partnership working with the anti-social behaviour team, legal services, the neighbourhood policing team and Sanctuary Housing, a closure order application was submitted to Bristol Magistrates’ Court and granted last week. Sanctuary Housing confirmed that possession proceedings had started in order to evict the tenant. Neighbourhood Inspector Kris Harris said: “We are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported this application by providing statements and information about what has been going on in the area in recent months. They told us anti-social behaviour was persistent and it was having a huge toll on their day-to-day lives. It is absolutely unacceptable for people to feel unsafe in their own home. It’s for that reason that the application was made to magistrates and we’re glad it was approved. “We’d urge anyone who finds themselves experiencing similar issues in their neighbourhood to make sure they report it to police because your concerns will be taken seriously and we can help. “We are grateful for the housing association’s support in progressing this matter so that hopefully it will make a positive difference to the community.”

LETTERS Council’s High Street claim is a ‘fantasy’

conducted very quickly and trust that those steps

be to defer this transition for a year or so until

services being lost as part of contract renewals.

will stop even more casualties.

the situation improves.

And we call on Government to provide

Cllr Alan Hale, Keynsham South ward

After the devastating effects of the pandemic, it

sufficient funding to ensure buses remain an

Dear Editor

B&NES Member Advocate for Road Safety

is the children's education which matters most

attractive and viable travel option for everyone

I was amazed to read Cllr Manda Rigby,

of all, not trivia like new uniforms.

at this time of rising petrol prices.

B&NES Executive Member for Transport in last

Mike Openshaw, Hanham

I encourage all residents to take part in this

reacting to having listened to the public

Council is ignoring residents’ wishes Dear Editor

Birthday thanks

services as well as your priorities for the future.

regarding concerns about safety in Keynsham High Street due to the cycle lane.

Good news for Philip Gannaway and John

Dear Editor

www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/big-choices-on-

There have, I believe, been in excess of 40

Howlett (Letters, Issue 740). - B&NES Council

We wanted to express our sincere thanks to all

casualties in the High Street and too many of

are to again cause High Street disruption by

the café staff at Waitrose in Keynsham who

those needing hospital treatment for fractures or

putting down red Tarmac in the cycle lane and

went above and beyond in making our friend’s

serious injuries.

increase the number of cycle symbol markings,

80th birthday a special day.

At the reopening of High Street and following

and reduce the width of white line marking, in

She had a lovely time and really enjoyed her

very early casualties within days, I raised

line with Department for Transport standards,

cake and coffee. We all appreciated the efforts

concerns with the appropriate officer and was

although previously stated that everything was

you went to, and we can’t thank you enough.

left in no doubt that the belief was that there was

already within regulation.

Sarah Freeman

no problem, despite serious injuries, and I was

Bad news, sorry Philip and John, and all other

told by the officer that we as councillors would

residents and council taxpayers; they are not yet

be better served educating the public in how to

going to observe residents’ wishes and remove

cross the road.

week’s issue, saying how the council was

consultation to show your support for local You can do this online by going to: buses The council will also be hosting an event to share further information in the consultation. Please look out for further details on our website. Lib Dem councillors will continue to fight to support out local services and ensure that rural and urban community services are maintained alongside those deemed most profitable. Cllr Sarah Warren

the cycle lane and/or the stepped kerb, to

Residents encouraged to join bus consultation

Although Cllr Rigby was copied into many of

actually

Dear Editor

B&NES Council

my emails, she never appeared in the High

(taxpayers’) wishes; perhaps that will happen at

Over August, the Mayor for the West of England

Street, to the best of my knowledge, or

a later date with more costs.

Dan Norris, is leading a public consultation on

responded to my emails as I recall.

But until then we have to accept that Cllr Manda

local bus services called ‘Big Choices on

Helping hand

Whilst initially it was the four Conservative

Rigby, Cabinet member for Transport, who

Buses’.

Dear Becky

councillors chasing a resolution we were shortly

naively believes directing people to the zebra

The future of some local bus services remains

I am currently helping a partly disabled

after joined by the two Lib Dem councillors and

crossing will prevent us behaving in a human-

uncertain due to rising costs, labour shortages

Kingswood resident tidy up her front garden

together we made a case to the more senior

like way and cross elsewhere, and Cllr Alan

and reduced passenger numbers arising from the

and in this respect to sell off paving bricks and

officers, rather than the original officer, and

Hale knows best.

pandemic.

sand which are no longer required.

following that pressure for reaudit and for urgent

B Charles

The majority of services in Bath and North East

accommodate

the

residents,

So Cllr Rigby should be clear in crediting what is now happening to the six district councillors in the town, rather than claiming that the council is listening and acting because they recognised the issues because that is fantasy. I trust that the actions promised will be

Climate and Sustainable Travel

Somerset are operated on a commercial basis by

resolution to the ongoing casualties, officers have now taken action.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for

New uniforms ‘trivia’ in wake of pandemic

private bus companies, with only ‘supported’

Dear Editor Re your story in Issue 739 (Parents launch petition over uniform changes) how out of touch with reality is the principal of King’s Oak Academy in insisting that the school uniform must be changed next term? With the cost of living crisis likely to intensify, it is perverse of the school to insist on adding yet another burden on top of already stretched household budgets. Far from offering financial assistance and thereby stigmatising both children and parents a far more sensible and humane approach would

authority funding.

services contracted by the West of England Combined Authority and paid for by local Given current high levels of inflation affecting both bus companies and the public sector, more services than ever are at risk of cuts and service reductions, and we are concerned at the difficult choices, for example between rural and urban services, that are being presented to decisionmakers and to the public as part of the survey. Lib Dem councillors are working hard to secure

There are 170 bricks and the sandbag is half

both rural and urban community services across

full. On her behalf I would welcome sensible

B&NES. We have agreed future increases in the

offers. Buyer to collect. Please contact me on

subsidy we pay, in line with inflation, and

07875 631817 if interested.

worked with neighbouring authorities to prevent

Cllr Michael Bell

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Brislington site occupants hit back over plans for 370 homes In last week’s issue we reported on Sovereign Housing Association’s plans for the redevelopment of the Castle Court site in Brislington which it acquired in May 2020 for more than £9m. After our story appeared Robin Cook, the managing director of City Motors, which has several outlets on the Castle Court site including Citroën, Peugeot and Volvo dealerships gave a statement to The Week In. He said: “We are not aware that the site we occupy at Castle Court forms part of any current Bristol City Council regeneration or redevelopment strategic plan. We have a thriving and successful business on this site and it is very much part of our own long-term plan to grow and create further employment in the heart of Bristol. “The location also plays an essential part in the group’s strategy to support Bristol City Council’s green and environmental objectives through substantial planned investment in electric vehicle sales and support infrastructure. “Our position has always been made clear to the previous owner and more recently Sovereign Housing

Association, that we wish to stay in occupancy for the positive reasons above. “We do not accept that our business and others in this area should be put at risk of being displaced when, as part of Bristol City Council’s current strategic planning, there are several other regeneration and redevelopment projects being planned and in progress nearby providing adequate facilities for the foreseeable future. “As a substantial employer in the area, our strategy has always been to grow our business through planned investment and to enable us to create more local jobs. Sovereign’s proposal

would have an adverse impact on our business plans and, as a consequence, a negative impact on employment potential locally. “We remain confident that Bristol City Council will take a balanced view of the situation when a formal application is submitted and the planning process is under way by considering very carefully the housing and employment requirements of this area of Bristol.” The first round of public consultation will run until 26th August. Between 350 and 370 homes are proposed, around 50% of them “affordable”. The plans also include around 500sq m of nonresidential flexible spaces.

Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin

Sudoku 1-Easy

SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 7th August

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 3rd August 2022

Health chiefs accused of ‘stonewalling’ over minor injury unit

Public Notice

Health chiefs have come under fire for “ignoring” residents’ concerns about the lack of minor injury care at Cossham Hospital in Kingswood. South Gloucestershire Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee heard last Wednesday that no one from the health board had responded to the concerns raised at the previous meeting in June by Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid. In Issue 734 we reported that Cllr Reid had slammed the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for their “appalling” decision not to reconsider opening the minor injury unit (MIU) at Cossham that people had originally expected when the refurbished hospital opened nine years ago. In April the CCG had dismissed a petition with more than 5,000 signatures - more than 2,000 of them Week In readers. Instead the CCG said that an MIU at Cossham was not part of their urgent care strategy and highlighted the recruitment difficulties that staffing one would entail. The CCG did not conduct a health inequalities study in relation to the petition, despite the fact that Kingwood has a lower life expectancy than both the South Gloucestershire and England averages and various other health-related issues.

On 1st July the CCG was dissolved. The new body is now known as the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB). After last week’s meeting Cllr Reid said: “l was disappointed that no response was received to concerns raised by the Health Scrutiny Committee. I feel that residents’ concerns were ignored and stonewalled. “Whilst the CCG may have ceased to exist in July, l do not believe this conversation is over. So l will continue to push for this discussion to take place with the ICB.”

Bike shop Webbs closes

Crossword

The oldest bike shop in the Bristol area closed its doors for good

The business announced its closure in a Facebook post last

at the weekend.

week, saying that Saturday 29th July would be the last day and

Established in 1902 and known for more than a century as

that all stock was being sold at trade price. The owners said: “It

Webbs of Warmley, the business relocated in recent years to The

has not been an easy decision to make but it is definitely the

Park in Willsbridge and became Webbs Cycle Shop.

right decision for us at this time.”

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Gleams (8)

2. Come to earth (4)

6. Location (4)

3. Coin money (6)

8. Haunch (3)

4. Mass flight (6)

9. Cover for a letter (8)

5. Son of Noah (4)

10. Hire (4)

6. Leap (6)

12. Nasal cavity (5)

7. Ball game (6)

14. Caper (5)

11. Wild rose (5)

17. Competition (4)

12. Exclusive report (5)

18. Torpid (8)

13. Slumber (5)

20. Perfume spray (8)

14. Mature (3)

24. Fasten securely (4) 15. Periods (5) 25. More mature (5)

16. Calcium carbonate (5)

26. Low-cut shoes (5)

19. Coniferous tree (3)

29. Statutes (4)

21. Violent outburst (6)

30. Glandular disease (8)

22. Paltry (6)

31. Caustic solution (3)

23. Flexible rhythm (mus.) (6)

32. Gainsay (4)

24. Orb (6)

33. EU country (8)

27. ---- of March (4) 28. Abominable snowman (4)

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Huge fly-tip in country lane Items including fridges and other shop fittings were dumped in a country lane in South Gloucestershire last Wednesday. The fly-tipped waste, which also included a TV, wood and rubble, was strewn along Rock Road in Wick. It was promptly cleared away by the council. Anyone caught dumping waste could be fined up to £50,000 (unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court) and a prison sentence of up to five years. You could face penalties of up to £5,000 if you don’t check that the company or person you give waste to has a licence to carry waste or is taking it to a licensed site.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Care home told it needs to make improvements Little Heath Care & Support in Cadbury Heath has been told by the Care Quality Commission that it needs to make improvements. It follows the first inspection carried out at the purpose-built home in Earlstone Crescent, which is run by Brunelcare and accommodates up to 64 residents. At the time of the inspection, 54 people were living at the home. Little Heath was rated as Good for being caring, effective and responsive, but in terms of being well-led and safe it needs improvement, which is the overall rating. The inspection identified areas of improvement relating to the management of risk. This included nutrition and hydration and moving and handling. Improvements were also required to the recording of medicines and to staff and visitors wearing personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, as during their visit the inspectors saw that at times these were not always worn as required. The inspectors noted that residents were supported by enough staff and by staff who were kind and caring and who had received training in safeguarding adults and a good understanding of abuse. Residents were supported to maintain their independence, privacy and dignity and the home was said to be clean, bright and airy.

Going forward, the CQC will request an action plan from the provider to understand what it will do to improve the standards or quality and safety: “We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.” Following the publication of the report, Sandra Payne MBE RN, Director of Nursing & Care Services at Brunelcare, said: “We are all completely committed to working on the areas identified and will be inviting the Care Quality Commission back into the home at the earliest possible opportunity to reinspect as we are determined to achieve a Good rating in all domains.”

The Community Page

News from Keynsham Town Council

Success of summer events Keynsham Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to our community organisations, entertainers and you, the public, for making our Jubilee Picnic in the Park such a fantastic day. We were so lucky with the weather, which despite threatening to rain, turned out perfect. Our booked performers, Magpie and The Shiny Things, Ruby Jazz, The Woods and Keynsham Brass Band entertained the crowds with some excellent music covering many decades of years. Jo Jo Sparkles kept our little ones entertained with her magic tricks and the Alice in Wonderland Theatre Group kept us all amused with their antics. Luckily, the naughty Deck of Cards did not paint all the trees in the Memorial Park red or we would have been in trouble with the parks department. We do not think anyone managed to keep up with the White Rabbit as he bounced around the park with Alice in hot pursuit. Talking of bouncing, our space hoppers were a huge success and enjoyed by many. Once again, the town council supported the annual Keynsham

Music Festival. It was so wonderful to see this event back in full swing and it was close to its best yet but did suffer somewhat due to inclement weather. It was the 25th festival which is a great achievement for our town. The festival team work tirelessly behind the scenes to put on a number of seamless events through the week and we must thank all the hard-working volunteers who made this possible. It was lovely to see the Futura musicians at the Temple Street Café, where many talented young people showed us their ability. The town council grant given to the organisers covers a quarter of the cost of the event and the rest is raised by the trustees working with our community. Also, once again, Keynsham in Bloom made the town look beautiful and were given their just rewards by the judges again this year. A small, dedicated group of enthusiasts make sure that our town blossoms every year. If you want to get involved with either of these activities please do contact the town council office on 0117 9868683.

Looking forward to autumn and winter We now look forward to those glorious autumn colours, the

will be turning on the Christmas lights and decorating our

events that make this season in our town so special, the Eco Festival and the much-appreciated Remembrance Service at the Memorial Park gates and in St John’s Church. Then later in November, on the evening of Friday 25th, we

new community Christmas tree whilst getting festive at our Winter Festival. The community Christmas tree will take pride of place in Memorial Park and is being planted as part of the Queen’s Canopy for the Jubilee.

Keynsham High Street Local Cultural Programme update The Local Cultural Programme has gone from strength to strength since its launch in February 2022. Highlights include a Jubilee-themed augmented reality trail, a community Jubilee film, and street theatre for Keynsham Music Festival. Heritage Open Days will take place in and around Keynsham High Street this September. Historic venues and cultural spaces – including churches, shops, mills, cemeteries, and ruins – will open their doors to the public between 9th to 18th September. Show of Strength Theatre Company will also be bringing a new Theatre Walk to the High Street, and self-led trails will be available for families to enjoy, too. More information is available at www.hikeynsham.co.uk and www.heritageopendays.co.uk Keynsham’s Local Cultural Programme runs until March 2024, and is a part of Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HS HAZ) project, led by Keynsham Town Council with support from Bath & North East Somerset Council. It is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 12

Ian Kent

We are pleased to be able to introduce some new staff to the town council team. Welcome to deputy town clerk Katherine Sears, finance officer Ian Kent, and assistant town clerk Alan Jenner. Each brings specific expertise which means that we now have a larger team to serve our growing town with a wider range of knowledge.

Defibrillators for the community One of the most useful initiatives that the town council has been involved with this year has been trying to create a definitive understanding of what our town has in terms of working defibrillators. We were approached by a number of organisations who asked for training and for defibrillator machines and we began to consider the importance of a local map of existing defibrillators and of ascertaining what condition they might be in. This is in progress and we hope to update the community in the coming months. According to the excellent training we received from the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity experts, there is a very short window of eight minutes to begin resuscitation. We would hope to get to a point where every Keynsham resident would be able to access one within that short time frame. We are always here to listen to our residents, if you have any questions or queries please don’t hesitate to contact the Keynsham Town Council office on 0117 9868683.

The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

5G protest outside secondary school Campaigners against 5G masts gathered outside Broadlands Academy in Keynsham on the last day of term to express their concern that one might be erected on the campus over the school summer holiday. We reported in Issue 732 (1st June) that a controversial 5G phone mast at the secondary school in St Francis Road had been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council. Vodafone and Telefonica UK Ltd (O2) applied in April last year to replace the current 4G 15-metre mast (17.9 metres to the top of the antennas) with a 5G one measuring 20 metres at the top of the six antennas., along with a microwave dish, remote radio units and new equipment. The decision about the mast upgrade had been delegated to the case officer despite a request last year by Keynsham councillor Brian Simmons for it to be debated and decided by members of B&NES Council’s planning committee. Some of the 160+ objections contained references to the environmental and health effects reviewed by the New Hampshire Commission. Keynsham Town Council had been among the objectors, warning that the site was wholly inappropriate and that the potential health effects needed to be fully investigated by B&NES Council as landlord.

In its objection the town council said B&NES had “failed in its duty to consult with all concerned on such an important development proposal”, adding: “The school itself, parents/carers of pupils within the school and all neighbouring properties were not consulted initially and it took requests made to the planning department by local residents before a consultation letter was sent out to the wider community.” 5G campaigners say that no investigation by B&NES Council into the potential health effects had been forthcoming. The plans received eight comments of support. The planning officer’s report said that the replacement wouldn’t have a significant adverse visual impact above and beyond the existing mast and that in the absence of a clear consensus of opinion from the conservation sector and scientific communities, an ecological objection on grounds of potential risk to wildlife from electromagnetic radiation would be difficult to justify and defend. With a mast already in place, the report said the scheme could be considered to be appropriately located. It also said that in light of the compliance with international protection guidelines, the proposals would not have any significant impacts on human health.

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Pupils talk politics with council leader Pupils at Barrs Court Primary School were given the chance to quiz the leader of South Gloucestershire Council on the world of local politics. Cllr Toby Savage, who is also the councillor for the area, spoke with children in Years 5 Toby Savage talks to Barrs Court pupils and 6 who were learning about democracy and how the political system and speak with the children. They have works. After talking to about his role, what really enjoyed learning about local the council and councillors do, the pupils democracy in class.” The West of England Mayor Dan Norris were invited to ask questions. Headteacher Daniel Webster said: “It was also visited the pupils as part of their great to have Cllr Savage visit the school studies.

Burglars are chased Thieves stole two motocross bikes after entering the rear door of a garage at Minsmere Road in Keynsham at around midnight on Friday 22nd July. The resident gave chase to three males, forcing them to leave them at the top of the road and make off on pushbikes in the direction of Hurn Lane. If you have any information about this incident, call the police on 101, giving reference number 5222174214. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The Week in • Wednesday 3rd August 2022

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