Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Bath Christmas lights switch-on
Thursday 26 November is the official switch-on of Bath's Christmas lights.
The switch-on, being made by Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage, has attracted national media attention and the city centre is expected to be extremely busy.
Milsom Street will be closed from 4pm and entertainment starts on stage at 4.30pm. The switch on will take place at 6.30pm.
The switch-on, being made by Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage, has attracted national media attention and the city centre is expected to be extremely busy.
Milsom Street will be closed from 4pm and entertainment starts on stage at 4.30pm. The switch on will take place at 6.30pm.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Double-check children’s clothes, Council urges shoppers
Bath & North East Somerset Council is urging people shopping for children’s clothes to check for loose buttons and unnecessary cords and sashes, after a council survey showed that a number of garments failed to meet safety standards.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team carried out the survey in partnership with five other local authorities. Officers purchased children’s clothing from a range of retailers, and asked a testing house to check the clothes for safety. This included testing the strength of buttons, and checking if sashes or cords were long enough to get caught in car doors or playground equipment.
Out of 36 garments checked against British and European Standards, 20 were criticised for failing one or more requirements. As a result of the survey, four types of clothing have been voluntarily withdrawn.
The clothes were bought from well-known chain stores, independent outlets and charity shops. Officers did not target the most expensive brands, but equally did not seek out the very cheapest clothes.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team carried out the survey in partnership with five other local authorities. Officers purchased children’s clothing from a range of retailers, and asked a testing house to check the clothes for safety. This included testing the strength of buttons, and checking if sashes or cords were long enough to get caught in car doors or playground equipment.
Out of 36 garments checked against British and European Standards, 20 were criticised for failing one or more requirements. As a result of the survey, four types of clothing have been voluntarily withdrawn.
The clothes were bought from well-known chain stores, independent outlets and charity shops. Officers did not target the most expensive brands, but equally did not seek out the very cheapest clothes.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
West Ave planning application
We have just the one planning application this week and that is for the provision of a flat roofed rear dormer at 92 West Avenue Oldfield Park.
If you want to know more about the application or make a comment then please follow the link HERE
Monday, 23 November 2009
Urban extension meeting 24th November
Come along to St Michaels Junior School on 24th November and learn more about the proposed Urban Extension that may result in thousands homes being built to the south of Bath.
The two likely spots for the build are Odd Down and land by The Globe Inn at Newton St Loe.
If you do not want housing developments in these places, telephone 01225 477548 or email planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk to have your say.
The meeting at St Michael's Junior School, Newton Road, on 24th November will be between 4pm and 7pm on this subject.
The two likely spots for the build are Odd Down and land by The Globe Inn at Newton St Loe.
If you do not want housing developments in these places, telephone 01225 477548 or email planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk to have your say.
The meeting at St Michael's Junior School, Newton Road, on 24th November will be between 4pm and 7pm on this subject.
Friday, 20 November 2009
New enforcement action on littering
The one thing that we get more complaints about in Westmoreland is litter bugs, Now the council are at last getting to grips with the problem and have issued guidelines about what action it will take on people caught causing mess or creating environmental nuisance.
The clearer enforcement policy guidelines are part of the Council’s efforts to improve the appearance of streets across the district by encouraging more responsible environmental behaviour, in addition to investing money in street sweeping and state-of-the-art cleansing equipment. The tough guidelines will also be applied to other anti-social nuisances related to environmental health, including noise nuisance.
The legally watertight guidelines are written to prevent people dodging responsibility for their actions and pave the way for a stronger approach by the Council to offenders. Action could result in penalties ranging from a £50 fixed penalty notice for throwing litter on the street to legal proceedings for breaching statutory notices to prevent environmental health statutory nuisances. Any money obtained by the Council from its approach to enforcement will be re-invested into its enforcement teams.
The new guidelines detail steps that Enforcement Officers should take in making a decision about choices for action. The formal actions detailed are:
The clearer enforcement policy guidelines are part of the Council’s efforts to improve the appearance of streets across the district by encouraging more responsible environmental behaviour, in addition to investing money in street sweeping and state-of-the-art cleansing equipment. The tough guidelines will also be applied to other anti-social nuisances related to environmental health, including noise nuisance.
The legally watertight guidelines are written to prevent people dodging responsibility for their actions and pave the way for a stronger approach by the Council to offenders. Action could result in penalties ranging from a £50 fixed penalty notice for throwing litter on the street to legal proceedings for breaching statutory notices to prevent environmental health statutory nuisances. Any money obtained by the Council from its approach to enforcement will be re-invested into its enforcement teams.
The new guidelines detail steps that Enforcement Officers should take in making a decision about choices for action. The formal actions detailed are:
- Serving a fixed penalty notice;
- Serving a statutory notice;
- Serving an anti-social behaviour order;
- Issuing a formal or simple caution;
- Legal proceedings.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
A speeding Problem
The council and police are introducing rumble strips to monitor the speed of vehicles on Belltots Road and The Traingle in the next few weeks we have also asked that Millmead road is again looked at.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Lidl hold up
We said that we would report back as soon as we had some news on this one and it is news that we did not want to bring.
Our understanding is that Lidl who own two thirds of the former Herman Miller site are happy to go ahead.
The problem is that they do not own the other third of the building or the land that is needed to access the premises and the land owner that does own this is not will to give access and until this is resolved this Lidl will be unable to develop the site.
Our understanding is that Lidl who own two thirds of the former Herman Miller site are happy to go ahead.
The problem is that they do not own the other third of the building or the land that is needed to access the premises and the land owner that does own this is not will to give access and until this is resolved this Lidl will be unable to develop the site.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Council urges property owners to protect the safety of tenants
Bath and North East Somerset Council is urging landlords to make sure that they have the right licences in place to protect the safety of their tenants.
By law, properties that house five or more unrelated people and have 3 or more storeys must have a licence. The law is there to look after the safety of tenants living in the property, as the risk of injury or death from fire is estimated to be ten times higher in these properties.
The licence protects tenants by making sure that the property is well managed, that adequate fire precautions are in place and that facilities are sufficient for the number of people living there. So far Bath and North East Somerset Council has licensed over 300 of these properties but is concerned that there may still be undiscovered unlicensed properties out there.
Usually, if an unlicensed property is discovered, the owner is charged £100 on top of the standard fee and evidence is collected for a potential prosecution. However, in an effort to get more landlords to come forward, Bath and North East Somerset Council will not consider prosecution if property owners get in touch and apply for a licence before 1 January 2010. However, after this date prosecution will be considered for all that are found.
Since April 2006, the Housing Act 2004 has placed a duty on local authorities to implement a mandatory licensing system for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
A licensable HMO is a shared property which has:
If you own a property that should be licensed but isn’t you should get in touch with the Council’s Housing Standards Team as soon as possible and arrange to make an application for an HMO licence.
To find out more information please call the Housing Standards Team on 01225 396269, email Housing@bathnes.gov.uk or write to the Housing Standards Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council, PO Box 3343, Bath, BA1 2ZH.
Application packs are available at www.privatehousinginformation.co.uk.
By law, properties that house five or more unrelated people and have 3 or more storeys must have a licence. The law is there to look after the safety of tenants living in the property, as the risk of injury or death from fire is estimated to be ten times higher in these properties.
The licence protects tenants by making sure that the property is well managed, that adequate fire precautions are in place and that facilities are sufficient for the number of people living there. So far Bath and North East Somerset Council has licensed over 300 of these properties but is concerned that there may still be undiscovered unlicensed properties out there.
Usually, if an unlicensed property is discovered, the owner is charged £100 on top of the standard fee and evidence is collected for a potential prosecution. However, in an effort to get more landlords to come forward, Bath and North East Somerset Council will not consider prosecution if property owners get in touch and apply for a licence before 1 January 2010. However, after this date prosecution will be considered for all that are found.
Since April 2006, the Housing Act 2004 has placed a duty on local authorities to implement a mandatory licensing system for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
A licensable HMO is a shared property which has:
- three or more storeys, including loft and basement conversions
- is occupied by 5 or more unrelated people
- shared amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities.
If you own a property that should be licensed but isn’t you should get in touch with the Council’s Housing Standards Team as soon as possible and arrange to make an application for an HMO licence.
To find out more information please call the Housing Standards Team on 01225 396269, email Housing@bathnes.gov.uk or write to the Housing Standards Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council, PO Box 3343, Bath, BA1 2ZH.
Application packs are available at www.privatehousinginformation.co.uk.
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Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Council offers free insulation to help the most vulnerable heat their homes
Bath and North East Somerset Council's Housing Services are offering residents free cavity wall and loft insulation in the run up to Christmas to reduce CO2 emissions and to help those struggling to keep their homes warm. Vulnerable residents who live in properties without cavity walls could also receive free solid wall insulation or solar hot water systems.
Cavity wall and loft insulation is one of the best ways to help keep your home warm and can significantly reduce the cost of heating. With Ofgem warning that fuel prices could rise by up to 60% by 2016 it is likely that more people will find it hard to heat their homes.
Research has shown that many people who qualify for free insulation do not come forward because they are worried that the process will be intrusive. In an effort to get people to come forward, the trial, run through the Warm Streets project team, offers loft and cavity wall insulation free of charge to all residents. To help raise awareness, a number of activities will take place including road shows, information stands in target areas and home visits. Information packs about the scheme will also be sent out.
Reasons to get your home insulated:
To find out more about both schemes, please contact Warm Streets through the Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or by email warmstreets@cse.org.uk.
Cavity wall and loft insulation is one of the best ways to help keep your home warm and can significantly reduce the cost of heating. With Ofgem warning that fuel prices could rise by up to 60% by 2016 it is likely that more people will find it hard to heat their homes.
Research has shown that many people who qualify for free insulation do not come forward because they are worried that the process will be intrusive. In an effort to get people to come forward, the trial, run through the Warm Streets project team, offers loft and cavity wall insulation free of charge to all residents. To help raise awareness, a number of activities will take place including road shows, information stands in target areas and home visits. Information packs about the scheme will also be sent out.
Reasons to get your home insulated:
- Save money – research has found that insulating your home properly can save you between £200 and £300 on your annual heating bill. (EST website)
- Improve your health – not being warm enough can make you more likely to become ill and make existing problems worse. It also increases the likelihood of falls for the elderly, which can have serious consequences.
- Reduce CO2 emissions – Cavity wall, loft insulation and solid wall insulation are a great way to reduce the amount of energy you need to heat your home and reduce your CO2 emissions. Insulating your home properly can save between 800-1400 kg of C02 annually (EST website)
- The trial cavity and loft insulation scheme is open to all residents of Bath and North East Somerset on a first come first served basis.
- The scheme is open to both homeowners and tenants.
- Insulating homes where cavity wall and loft insulation is not an option is available for people who are in fuel poverty, through the Freedom from Fuel Poverty scheme. Fuel poverty refers to households who spend 10% or more of their income to keep warm at home.
To find out more about both schemes, please contact Warm Streets through the Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or by email warmstreets@cse.org.uk.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Twenty is Plenty
This new web site helps pick up the Twenty is plenty campaign and how we can better campaign for it in our area have a look http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/
Monday, 16 November 2009
New Planning application
We have just one new planning application to bring to your attention this week and that is one at for the provision of a rear dormer at 40 Ringwood Road
If you would like to view the application or wish to make any comments then please follow the link HERE
If you would like to view the application or wish to make any comments then please follow the link HERE
Monday, 16 November 2009
Get this mess cleaned up
We have made complaints to Bath & North East Somerset Council about the amount of rubbish strewn all over Loxton Drive, Priddy Close & Rooksbridge Walk.
There is also the element of fly tipping going on at Rooksbridge walk and if any knows who is doing this them please let us know.
There is also the element of fly tipping going on at Rooksbridge walk and if any knows who is doing this them please let us know.
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MadMonday, 16 November 2009
Priddy Close Car Park
WE have asked the Police to deal with several untaxed and non roadworthy cars parked in this car park we have also asked for the residents only parking sign to be returned.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Jews Lane & Albany Road
We have asked that the storm drain under the bridge at the bottom Lansdown view is cleared ASAP,
We have also asked network rail to clear the brambles from their land that abuts the lane Albany Road.
We have also asked network rail to clear the brambles from their land that abuts the lane Albany Road.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Waste complaints still at a high
The ward reports concerning complaints made through council connect during the month of October remain high at 160 complaints with the majority of complaints at 111 concerning waste collections. Neighbourhood services that includes cleaning was at 27.
This a failure in the Conservative administration who ignored the Liberal Democrat Budget this year that would have sorted out these problems.
This a failure in the Conservative administration who ignored the Liberal Democrat Budget this year that would have sorted out these problems.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
New Household plastic packaging recycling Scheme
Please do NOT put in plastic film (e.g bags, clingfilm, bubblewrap etc.) or non packaging items such as toys as the council are enable to recycle these.
To help the recycling collectors, please keep all your plastic packaging together.
| Recyclable plastic – yes please | Non recyclable plastic – no thanks |
| Plastic bottles (e.g milk bottles, washing up liquid bottles) | No black plastic (e.g. no black plastic trays etc.) |
| Plastic tubs (e.g margarine and ice-cream tubs) | No plastic film (e.g bags, clingfilm) |
| Plastic pots (eg yoghurt pots) | No ‘non-packaging’ plastic (eg. toys, washing up bowls, plant pots) |
| Plastic trays (eg meat, cake, fruit trays) | No plastics used to contain medical, chemical, garage or garden materials |
| Clean plastic packaging only | No food to be left on packaging |
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Cardboard recycling new weekly collections
We are pleased that Cardboard will now be collected every week and will be recycled into packaging material as this saves new raw material being used and a weekly collection is what local people have been asking for.
Between Monday 16th and Friday 27th November the Council will deliver a blue weatherproof bag to every household covered by the green box recycling scheme. These bags are for cardboard and brown paper only.
Please pack your cardboard and brown paper flat and place it in the blue bag before putting it out for collection. It must be flattened to the size of the bag so that it can fit in the containers on the vehicle. Please keep the cardboard and brown paper separate from the newspapers etc. as they are recycled separately.
Your new weekly collection starts on 30th November. Once this new service starts, please make sure that you no longer put cardboard in your garden waste wheeled bin or paper sack as the Council can no longer compost this.
Please remove all plastic, polystyrene and tape. Please do not put in cardboard food and drinks cartons (Tetrapaks) – there are recycling banks available for recycling these.
Between Monday 16th and Friday 27th November the Council will deliver a blue weatherproof bag to every household covered by the green box recycling scheme. These bags are for cardboard and brown paper only.
Please pack your cardboard and brown paper flat and place it in the blue bag before putting it out for collection. It must be flattened to the size of the bag so that it can fit in the containers on the vehicle. Please keep the cardboard and brown paper separate from the newspapers etc. as they are recycled separately.
Your new weekly collection starts on 30th November. Once this new service starts, please make sure that you no longer put cardboard in your garden waste wheeled bin or paper sack as the Council can no longer compost this.
| Please put cardboard in your blue bag: | Please put paper in your green box: |
| Cardboard packaging | Newspaper and magazines |
| Cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, ready meal sleeves etc. | Junk mail and leaflets |
| Egg boxes, toilet roll tubes etc. | Catalogues, directories and Yellow Pages |
| Brown paper | White paper and envelopes and small amounts of shredded paper |
| Greetings cards | White backed wrapping paper |
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Is No news good news
The issue of the former Herman Miller site is one that always raises questions and that is when Lidl is going to open.
Well we would love to tell you the answer and have been pushing council officers on this issue.
As far as we are able to find out it is now down to a legal agreement that needs to be signed by Lidl but we have no definite answer as to when this is expected to happen.
We are keeping the pressure up and will let residents know as soon as we have some more positive news.
Well we would love to tell you the answer and have been pushing council officers on this issue.
As far as we are able to find out it is now down to a legal agreement that needs to be signed by Lidl but we have no definite answer as to when this is expected to happen.
We are keeping the pressure up and will let residents know as soon as we have some more positive news.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Thank you
Can we thank the residents of Albany Road Loxton Drive, and Rooksbridge walk for the good grace in which they received our canvassing team on Friday 6th November when we called on them?
Many comments were made about the mess on the roads and we are dealing with these matters at the moment, other issues that were raised will also be receiving attention during the next few days.
Many comments were made about the mess on the roads and we are dealing with these matters at the moment, other issues that were raised will also be receiving attention during the next few days.
Monday, 09 November 2009
Council administration put on the spot about ‘Twenty is Plenty
The Conservative administration of B&NES Council is to be put on the spot about implementing 20 mph limits in residential areas at the meeting of the Council later this month. This follows a fact finding visit to Portsmouth, a city which has already implemented the scheme, in September.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Newbridge) will ask the Cabinet member for Transport to accept that decisions to implement 20 mph limits in particular streets show that there is a need for a general speed limit in residential areas and that the piecemeal approach should be abandoned.
Councillor Roberts said:
“The Cabinet member should come out and admit that ‘Twenty is Plenty’ and get on with Liberal Democrats proposals to slash speeds in all our residential areas.
“By proposing a number of small scale 20mph limits recently, the Cabinet member is tacitly admitting that ‘Twenty is Plenty’. Liberal Democrats have been calling for the introduction of blanket 20 mph limits in residential areas for over 2 years, and there is a lot of support from residents for the idea. 20 mph speed limits would make walking and cycling safer and should result in fewer accidents.
“I recently went back to Portsmouth to hear about the progress in their 20 mph scheme which was implemented in 2007. The conclusions are positive; the limit is popular with residents and has resulted in some reduction in speed.
“B&NES Cabinet member for Transport also attended the briefing in Portsmouth and it is clear that a 20 mph scheme is of interest to the Council. I am calling on the Cabinet member to make the plans clear.”
“Twenty is Plenty” campaigns, run by Liberal Democrat Councillors, have shown support for 20 mph limits for residential streets in many areas including here in East Twerton & Oldfield Park where residents responded to a survey earlier this year.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Newbridge) will ask the Cabinet member for Transport to accept that decisions to implement 20 mph limits in particular streets show that there is a need for a general speed limit in residential areas and that the piecemeal approach should be abandoned.
Councillor Roberts said:
“The Cabinet member should come out and admit that ‘Twenty is Plenty’ and get on with Liberal Democrats proposals to slash speeds in all our residential areas.
“By proposing a number of small scale 20mph limits recently, the Cabinet member is tacitly admitting that ‘Twenty is Plenty’. Liberal Democrats have been calling for the introduction of blanket 20 mph limits in residential areas for over 2 years, and there is a lot of support from residents for the idea. 20 mph speed limits would make walking and cycling safer and should result in fewer accidents.
“I recently went back to Portsmouth to hear about the progress in their 20 mph scheme which was implemented in 2007. The conclusions are positive; the limit is popular with residents and has resulted in some reduction in speed.
“B&NES Cabinet member for Transport also attended the briefing in Portsmouth and it is clear that a 20 mph scheme is of interest to the Council. I am calling on the Cabinet member to make the plans clear.”
“Twenty is Plenty” campaigns, run by Liberal Democrat Councillors, have shown support for 20 mph limits for residential streets in many areas including here in East Twerton & Oldfield Park where residents responded to a survey earlier this year.
Friday, 06 November 2009
Get this cleaned up
We have contacted the council to get the area at the bottom of Fieldings road cleaned up. As a gateway to the Riverside path this area has become an area that is always covered in litter.
We have also asked for the graffiti to be removed from the Bridge over the River Avon.
We have also asked for the graffiti to be removed from the Bridge over the River Avon.
Thursday, 05 November 2009
The BIG Transition Bath Event 14th November
Big Event tickets on sale now from the Bath Festivals Box Office
£10 (adult), £7 concessions, £5 (child 3-10) are available in person from the Bath Festivals Box Office, Abbey Green, Bath by calling (01225) 463362 or online at http://www.bathfestivals.org.uk
What’s The Big Transition Bath Event?
“The Big Transition Event will be a fun and creative day of talks and workshops – a chance to meet other like-minded people, listen to and debate with green living gurus and swap ideas and questions. It will be family-friendly with children made very welcome while parents network. If you seek to find out more about how best to go easy on our planet this is a day to inspire you.”
Want to know more then follow this link The Big Event
£10 (adult), £7 concessions, £5 (child 3-10) are available in person from the Bath Festivals Box Office, Abbey Green, Bath by calling (01225) 463362 or online at http://www.bathfestivals.org.uk
What’s The Big Transition Bath Event?- A day to find out what Transition Bath and many others are doing to make Bath a stronger, more sustainable community.
- A day to debate, swap skills, listen to inspiring eco thinkers and learn more.
- A day to find out how you can make a difference and help to create a more positive future for Bath.
“The Big Transition Event will be a fun and creative day of talks and workshops – a chance to meet other like-minded people, listen to and debate with green living gurus and swap ideas and questions. It will be family-friendly with children made very welcome while parents network. If you seek to find out more about how best to go easy on our planet this is a day to inspire you.”
Want to know more then follow this link The Big Event
Thursday, 05 November 2009
Nationwide first for BathRider bus ticket but at a cost
Bus passengers will be able to travel as many times as they want on Bath bus services whatever the operator because of a bus season ticket scheme created by Bath & North East Somerset Council and introduced by the commercial bus operators in Bath. Both Day and Week tickets will be available for adults and children.
The BathRider Scheme is a national first where a Council has used powers under the Transport Act 2000 to make a ticket scheme. All operators in the city are required to take part in the scheme which starts November 9th 2009.
Complex negotiations with commercial bus operators have taken place over the past six months. The Council is grateful to them for their co-operation, assistance, and advice in getting to a workable solution that will offer worthwhile benefits for passengers. Amongst those to benefit the scheme are children going to Ralph Allen School who need two buses to go to school and University students and staff who need more than one bus to get to campus. The ticket is not applicable to Park & Ride services or tour buses.
How does the BathRider work?
Passengers can buy their Daily or Weekly BathRider scratch cards at Bath Bus station; Tourist Information Centre – Abbey Churchyard; Tourism Centre –Bath Spa railway station (Platform 1); STA shop – Bath University.
When the date of travel is scratched off the ticket is then valid for the whole of that day. If it’s a weekly ticket the ticket is sealed over and is then valid for 7 days from the date scratched off. There is no limit to the number of times the ticket can be used that day or week, but the ticket must be shown to the driver each time it is used. The price (set by the bus operators) will be : Daily - £4.95 Adult/ £3.70 Child; Weekly - £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Child.
Although we welcome the scheme here in Westmoreland we are concerned at the cost with a all day ticket costing £4.95 over a pound more than First Bus already exorbitant £3.90 for and all day ticket that is more expensive than the same one that they offer in Bristol. The cost of the Child weekly at £16.50 is rather over the top. We would suggest to Bus users that they check the most economical way to travel when they get on the bus.
In these cash straped times the bus companies should be thinking of users not their profit margins.
The BathRider Scheme is a national first where a Council has used powers under the Transport Act 2000 to make a ticket scheme. All operators in the city are required to take part in the scheme which starts November 9th 2009.
Complex negotiations with commercial bus operators have taken place over the past six months. The Council is grateful to them for their co-operation, assistance, and advice in getting to a workable solution that will offer worthwhile benefits for passengers. Amongst those to benefit the scheme are children going to Ralph Allen School who need two buses to go to school and University students and staff who need more than one bus to get to campus. The ticket is not applicable to Park & Ride services or tour buses.
How does the BathRider work?
Passengers can buy their Daily or Weekly BathRider scratch cards at Bath Bus station; Tourist Information Centre – Abbey Churchyard; Tourism Centre –Bath Spa railway station (Platform 1); STA shop – Bath University.
When the date of travel is scratched off the ticket is then valid for the whole of that day. If it’s a weekly ticket the ticket is sealed over and is then valid for 7 days from the date scratched off. There is no limit to the number of times the ticket can be used that day or week, but the ticket must be shown to the driver each time it is used. The price (set by the bus operators) will be : Daily - £4.95 Adult/ £3.70 Child; Weekly - £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Child.
Although we welcome the scheme here in Westmoreland we are concerned at the cost with a all day ticket costing £4.95 over a pound more than First Bus already exorbitant £3.90 for and all day ticket that is more expensive than the same one that they offer in Bristol. The cost of the Child weekly at £16.50 is rather over the top. We would suggest to Bus users that they check the most economical way to travel when they get on the bus.
In these cash straped times the bus companies should be thinking of users not their profit margins.
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
Brook Road Trouble
Concerns are still being raised about lorries going up this road despite weight restrictions that are in place. We have had reports of Lorries getting stuck in the road including Sainsbury's and Co-op delivery lorries that are far to big for the road conditions.
Cllr Lynda Hedges said "We have asked that the Police and the Council investigate ways of stopping these lorries going up this road as previous measures have clearly not worked"
Cllr Lynda Hedges said "We have asked that the Police and the Council investigate ways of stopping these lorries going up this road as previous measures have clearly not worked"
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
Bellotts Road Speeding Problem
Local Councillors and residents are fed up with speeding traffic on our streets. For many years Bellotts Road has been campaigning for traffic calming in this road and a petition has been collected by resident Lola Dali-Kemmery and signed by nearly every household in the street.
Cllr Sharon Ball said, "This petition shows the level of concern over speeding cars in the area and this matter needs to be addressed.
Lola presents petition to Cllr Sharon Ball
Cllr Sharon Ball said, "This petition shows the level of concern over speeding cars in the area and this matter needs to be addressed.
Lola presents petition to Cllr Sharon Ball
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
Don Foster Joins calls for low floors on 12 route
Following the recent announcement by First Bus to discontinue running the number 12 bus service, it has been confirmed that this service will now run under Faresaver.
However, it seems unlikely that buses on this route will run with low floors, and so will not be accessible for a number of bus users. While Don is grateful that the 12 route has been saved, he has written to both Faresaver and the Council to try and address this issue.
Don Foster said:
“I am delighted that Faresaver has decided to operate this service, which is relied on by many people in Bath.
“That said, it is concerning that we might not have low floor buses on this route, which could make buses inaccessible for many. When the Liberal Democrats implemented the bus gate it led to First spending millions modernising their fleet, including improving bus accessibility. We don’t want to let these high standards slip.
“I’m looking forward to working with Faresaver and the Council to attempt to resolve this important issue.”
However, it seems unlikely that buses on this route will run with low floors, and so will not be accessible for a number of bus users. While Don is grateful that the 12 route has been saved, he has written to both Faresaver and the Council to try and address this issue.
Don Foster said:
“I am delighted that Faresaver has decided to operate this service, which is relied on by many people in Bath.
“That said, it is concerning that we might not have low floor buses on this route, which could make buses inaccessible for many. When the Liberal Democrats implemented the bus gate it led to First spending millions modernising their fleet, including improving bus accessibility. We don’t want to let these high standards slip.
“I’m looking forward to working with Faresaver and the Council to attempt to resolve this important issue.”
Tuesday, 03 November 2009
Good news on recycling front
Ever since we started collecting plastic bottles residents have been asking what about yoghurt pots and food trays. Ever since we started the garden waste collection residents have been asking for cardboard to be made weekly.
Well the good news is that from monday 30th November the weekly collection is being expanded to include cardboard and household plastic packaging for recycling. This will help reduce the amount of our waste going to landfill and reduce our carbon footprint. It should also help reduce the amount of missed cardboard collection that has happened in several areas either because it has been put out on the wrong day or becasue the cardboard has been wrapped wrongly. It should also help areas that have been missed completely when the move to same day collection started.
Between 16th and 27th November 2009 the Council will deliver a leaflet about the changes along with a blue weatherproof bag - for cardboard and brown paper only - to every household covered by the green box recycling scheme. It is important that cardboard is kept separate from the newspapers and other kinds of paper that residents put in their recycling box because they are recycled separately. Once these new collections start, the Council will no longer collect cardboard mixed with the garden waste as this mix has become difficult to compost successfully.
Further information on what should be placed in the blue bag, recycling green box, and what types of plastic can be recycled is included in the Winter edition of Connect Magazine that will be distributed to all households across the district from mid-November. For more information about the new service, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/cardboardandplastic or contact Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41 or councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk
The bad news of course is that we still have to wait for Autumn 2011 before food waste is collected separately. This had been scheduled for Spring 2008 but has been delayed. It is the food waste in the bags that attract various wildlife to tear open the bags and spill mess everywhere.
To pay for it our Conservative Council will be increasing the garden waste collection service. It would be better if they abandoned their plans to build new Council offices in Keynsham!!!
Between 16th and 27th November 2009 the Council will deliver a leaflet about the changes along with a blue weatherproof bag - for cardboard and brown paper only - to every household covered by the green box recycling scheme. It is important that cardboard is kept separate from the newspapers and other kinds of paper that residents put in their recycling box because they are recycled separately. Once these new collections start, the Council will no longer collect cardboard mixed with the garden waste as this mix has become difficult to compost successfully.
Further information on what should be placed in the blue bag, recycling green box, and what types of plastic can be recycled is included in the Winter edition of Connect Magazine that will be distributed to all households across the district from mid-November. For more information about the new service, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/cardboardandplastic or contact Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41 or councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk
The bad news of course is that we still have to wait for Autumn 2011 before food waste is collected separately. This had been scheduled for Spring 2008 but has been delayed. It is the food waste in the bags that attract various wildlife to tear open the bags and spill mess everywhere.
To pay for it our Conservative Council will be increasing the garden waste collection service. It would be better if they abandoned their plans to build new Council offices in Keynsham!!!
