Double yellow lines to be introduced.

We have received confirmation that the Double Yellow line will be put in on West Ave from the corner of number one right up to the bridge by number one Hundred and Eleven.

Many residents have complained that they are unable to get past this pinch point and buses have also reported a problem when cars & vans are parked both sides.

Engineering work planned at former gas works

A new planning application has be submitted for Engineering works to facilitate environmental improvement (remediation) of land, at the former Gas Works, Windsor Bridge Road,

The applicant National Grid Property Holdings Ltd & Wales & West Utilities is and the agent is BBA Architects & Planners Henrietta Mews Bath BA2 6LR and the council officer dealing with this application is Geoff Webber.

The application reference number for this application is 10/05065/FUL to view this application or to make any comments then please follow this link http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LCT5VJCTKL000

Lidl planning application

A further planning application has been submitted with regard to the former Herman Miller Building on the Lower Bristol Road.

Mr Ian Cawkwell (Acornford Agent: Hampshire Ltd) & Mr George Strang C/O Agent has put in an application for Change of use from B2 to A1 Food-store and  A1 bulky goods units.

The agent for this application is Lapworth Architects Ltd Somerville House 20-22 Harborne Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3AA and the Council officer dealing with the Application is Geoff Webber.

The application reference number is  10/04926/FUL if you want to view the application or make any comments please use the following link http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=LCFKXACT0ML00
 

Shophouse Road litter Pick

Councillor Sharon Ball & Matt Hemsley

We carried out a litter pick on the bottom of Shophouse road today where we removed about 7 backs of litter from the land on the corner of Shophouse Road and Twerton.

The land is owned by a private developer who has planning permission to build flats on this land. We have chased him before about cleaning this land up but he has failed to respond each time that he has asked so we done the job ourselves along with the Twerton Ward Councillor.

Untaxed Cars on the Highway

We have reported several untaxed cars on the Highway in the area in the last few months including a recent one at Millmead Road.

It is an offence to have and untaxed vehicle on the Highway or private property, If you are aware of any other vehicles pleas let us know and we will do what we can to get them removed.

Victoria Bridge

Victoria Bridge in better days

 Victoria Bridge is still closed following structural surveys undertaken by Mott McDonald.  This important walking and cycling link has now been shut for over 2 months.  The council is currently considering the way forward, as a full structural survey has been recommended.

We realise that this route is an extremely important link for walkers and cyclists getting across town, and that it must be re-opened as soon as possible.  Lib Dems are calling on the council to prioritise works on the bridge, making it safe as soon as possible.

Steps King Georges Road

After prompt action by Councillor Sharon Ball in contacting the councils highways department we have been told that Somer Housing will be ensuring that the steps pictured are going to be repaired today.

The issue of these steps being incorrectly used is a problem that we are looking to address, there is an issues with cyclists riding their bikes down the steps and of course this causes damage to the steps.

We are suggesting that a further cycle barrier is installed by the side of 15 King Georges Road similar to the one by number 12 would resolve this problem.

Land at Shophouse Road

The land at the bottom of Shophouse Road is again in a mess and we are attempting to get the land cleared up again.

The land in not owned by the council but by a land developer who lives in Combe Down and after many attempts by the council to get him clear the land over a number of years has resulted in your councillors and local volunteers clearing this land up.

We will be attempting a clear up again shortly and will publish the details.

Western Riverside gets the cash to start building

Work can finally start on building the 2,000 new homes on Western Riverside. It is being reported this morning by the BBC.

Bath’s Western Riverside development has been given a £6m boost by the Homes and Community Agency (HCA).

The 44-acre scheme has already gained £2m of investment from the agency for infrastructure work around the site.

The latest money will help to fund 100 new affordable homes on the 44-acre site as well as 100 other homes which will be sold privately.

About 3,500 homes could eventually be built at the site as well as business, leisure and retail facilities.
read the full story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12208201

Avon & Somerset Police are warning residents to be aware of bogus callers.

Avon & Somerset Police are warning residents to be aware of bogus callers.

Police are warning people across the force to beware of bogus callers, as criminals take advantage of the increase in burst pipes and water mains caused by cold  weather.

Over the last week, a number of offences have been reported to police across the force where bogus “Waterboard” and Dyno-rod officials have tricked their way into homes before stealing cash, purses and wallets.

Darren Taylor, acting sergeant on the Bristol Doorstep Crime Team consisting of police and Trading Standards officers, said: “Offenders have been knocking on doors, unfortunately targeting elderly and more vulnerable people, and claiming they are fixing water leaks and burst pipes in the road.

“A common theme in these offences is that victims are being told that there is blue dye in the water, and they need the victim to run the kitchen taps to check the system.

“If someone knocks on your door and you hear these things, alarm bells should start ringing.

“There is no longer a Waterboard – it is a term used only by bogus callers. Water companies also never put dye into the water.

“Since the formation of the Bristol Doorstep Crime Team and Avon and Somerset’s work to tackle doorstep crime with the national Operation Liberal, we have reduced distraction burglaries and rogue trading offences by around 60% in the city.

“In turn there has been a substantial increase in the number of crimes being detected with more offenders being identified and locked up than ever before.

“We want to further drive down these offences and warn people of what to look out for so that we stop people from becoming victims in the first place.”

The Bristol Doorstep Crime Team is a partnership between Bristol CID and Bristol City Council Trading Standards. This joint enterprise has been investigating distraction burglary and Rogue trading in the city for 18 months.

Acting Sergeant Taylor said: “If you are visited by someone requesting access and you have not reported a water leak then do not let anyone into your home.
“You do not need to run your taps.
“Be wary of unknown, unscheduled callers – just because they have a plastic id card and a boiler suit it does not make them genuine.
“A genuine official will understand and will happily make a future appointment or provide credentials to confirm their identity.”

If you believe that you have seen or been visited by these offenders then please report it to the police on 0845 456 7000. If you have any information that may help catch these offenders call 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Top tips for staying safe
Always make sure visitors to your home are who they say they are by asking to see their identification.
Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus. Always use a number from your utility bill or a phone book.
'Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, that you close the door behind them - distraction burglars often work in teams, where one will distract you while another sneaks in through the insecure door.
Always close and lock the back door before answering the front door.
LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home.
STOP: Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back doors and taken the key out. Look through the spy hole or the window to see who it is.
CHAIN: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first.
CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always ask for their identity card; do they look like the person on the card? If you do not have a chain, ask for ID to be put through the letterbox and remember there's no such thing as the water board.

Visit the Force website on www.avonandsomerset.police.uk where you can also sign up to receive local news and alerts, Crimestoppers appeals and job details, direct to your inbox – on http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/Interactive/

CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES 12 & 12A starting 6 February 2011 new updates

12 / 12A    Whiteway – City Centre    Faresaver

Revision to timetable including withdrawal of morning peak and afternoon journeys. Specific journeys withdrawn are: Monday – Fridays at 0740, 0830, 1620, 1700 & 1740 between Haycombe Cemetery and City Centre. Also 1605, 1640 & 1725 between City Centre & Haycombe Cemetery.

Saturdays 0740 between Haycombe Cemetery and City Centre
New journeys introduced at 1020 from City Centre and 1035 from Haycombe Cemetery .

12 / 12A    Whiteway – City Centre    First

Sunday and Bank Holiday service renumbered 12A, and timetable revised to improve punctuality.

Grit Bin requested

After the recent bad weather residents have been contacting us about the problems that they had getting around in the snow and Ice.

Residents at the top end of Ivy Ave had particular problems and were unable to get out due to the road not being gritted.

A Further problem is that there was also a problem with no grit bin being available to them despite there being one there a few years ago.

We have asked that the council provide a new grit bin at the location opposite of the houses shown in this picture.

Letter to Councillors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies Jan 11

Below are the extracts of a letter that has been sent to all councilors from Chief Superintendent Gary Davies

A relatively peaceful Christmas and New Year saw low levels of crime across the area which was good news. Throughout November and December we increased the levels of patrol in the town and City centres across B&NES, which was well received and we had good feedback. In Bath City Centre we targeted anti social behaviour, violence and public disorder. This led to 83 arrests and 38 people told to leave a specific area. Throughout that period we also carried out 173 licensed premises visits to ensure appropriate standards were being met. Critical to our success was to ensure that those people who wanted to have an enjoyable night out were able to do so and that those who were determined to ruin other peoples enjoyment failed to do so.

We were all saddened by the murder of Joanna Yeates in Bristol and several of my staff have been working throughout Christmas helping on the enquiry. We wish the investigation well and send our condolences to the family.

Some people’s sense of fun and enjoyment tested even the most liberal thinking of us. A man in Bath who decided to go to a party as a terrorist carrying a home made bomb, which he lost on the way to the party, was struggling to see the funny side of it when he discovered the bomb disposal team had been called out after his bomb, consisting of clock wires and putty, was found in the street. He was looking pale and gaunt when he was sat in the police station trying to explain his thinking as he was realising that a lot of police time and effort had been put into investigating the matter. Perhaps Mr Bean next year!

The New Year will bring new challenges including the delivering of policing services to an even better standard despite shrinking budgets. We are up for it and I would like to thank you all for the tremendous support that you have given my staff throughout 2010.

Western Riverside

Work is under way at Bath Western Riverside on the first phase of the new development to create hundreds of new homes on the former Stothart & Pitt Site that had been disused for the past two decades.

The Site has taken in an area next to the the Sainsbury's garage and up to the Victoria Bridge that is currently Closed for safety work. It also runs across towards the gas works site.

Ground work is currently taking place on the site in preparation for the first phase the provides social housing in conjunction with Somer Housing and also affordable homes for purchase.

Further phases will follow after completion of phase one and we will publish details of these as we have them.

Green Waste removal

I have complained to the council about the green waste not being collected on Ivy Place this week.

I have asked that it is collected this morning as all the brown bags are getting wet.

Bath Bus Users Group meeting

Bath Bus users group are holding a meeting on Thursday 27th January 2011 7.pm  Bath Central United Reformed Church 7 Argyle Street Bath.

They have a guest speaker Stephen Morris General Manager, Bus Users UK

“Who runs our buses?”is the subject of his talk.

Why not go along and find out more about how this group works.

Tesco Petition

Councillor Sharon Ball received a petition on the steps of the Guildhall from residents concerning the Tesco application on the former Bath Press site.

The Petition signed by 869 residents was collected by June Player a resident who lives close to The Former Bath Press site.

The Petition Reads

We the undersigned do not want the Bath Press site to be demolished to become a TESCO. This location will bring about the demise of Moorland Road an 'rip out the heart' of the community, will cause even greater Chaos/ congestion and pollution, plus drink related problems in a residential area. Whatever is built here must keep the Facade.

Sharon is handing the petition into the council so that it can form part of the consideration of the Tesco planning application.

If you want to know more of the application then follow the link to view it on the councils planning web site. Tesco application