Two new bridges approved for Two Tunnels route

Planning permission has been granted for two new pedestrian and cycling bridges that will form part of the Two Tunnels route, linking Midford with Bath.

The bridges will cross Millmead Road and Monksdale Rd making the route safer for pedestrians and cyclists who will no longer have to cross these roads, and also making the route more accessible, as the severe elevation changes at these junctions can be difficult to navigate for the less mobile, including wheelchair users.

The Two Tunnels route is part of charity Sustrans’ Connect2 project, which is developing new everyday walking and cycling links in communities across the UK.  The national project was awarded £50million by the Big Lottery Fund in 2007, following a public vote.  Other funding for the Bath project is coming from Bath & North East Somerset Council and local fundraising.

Sustrans’ Senior Engineer for the Two Tunnels route, Patrick Tully, said, “It is great news planning permission has been granted for these bridges, which will open up the route to even more people by providing a level path across the south of the city, as well as providing safe crossings of Millmead and Monksdale Roads.

“We will be continuing the ecological work undertaken in preparation for the project in ensuring there is no disturbance to local wildlife when works commence.”

Site clearance work will be started within the next month.   Some trees will be removed during the site clearance work, but Sustrans is committed to re-planting at least the same number of trees to replace those lost.  The bridges are due to be installed by the end of 2011.

The Sustrans website - www.sustrans.org.uk - has a free online map service to discover how to get around everyday on foot or by bike. Search for local or national routes, plot journeys, or find what the local area has to offer from schools, supermarkets and local landmarks to car clubs, bus stops and bike shops.

Ivy Avenue, Bath.

Between 2130 hours on Saturday 23rd and 0930 hours on Sunday 24th April 2011, unknown person(s) cracked two small windows in the side of a porch.  No entry was gained. 

If you have any information regarding this incident please contact the Police on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively you could contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

If you witness a crime in progress or you believe a crime has just occurred please ring 999.

Dumped mattress ?

please remove me

Who dumped this

We have asked the council to remove the old mattress that has been dumped in the car park area of Priddy Close.

It seems that some one is just dumping stuff in this area for the sake of it, If you see someone dumping please let us know.

Bad collection of recycled waste

Loxton Drive litter problem?

Please pick it up

We have complained to the council about the amount of litter that has been created in the recent Recycling collection.

The picture clearly shows the mess that was left behind yesterday close to the children's play area in Loxton Drive.

Number 12 Bus saved and improved

Saved bus service Sharon & Matt @ Millmead Road

The Number 12 Bus service that was in danger has now been saved and improved along with our requests.

We asked that the bus again run down Millmead road and that has been agreed and times have also bee improved.

The service will also have a new operator, and will provide an off peak service from Monday - Friday with a 40 minute interval timetable between 09:00 and 15:00. 

The service will serve Dartmouth Avenue in both directions (as happens now on Saturdays).  The Saturday service will operate later into the afternoon, with a last return from Bath at 16:00, and a last departure from Haycombe cemetery at 16:20.  

Sat Nav Missery

Many residents rightly complain about heavy lorries going past their homes up narrow roads such as Brook Road where there is a weight restricted Bridge.

The problem is that Sat Nav's  sent the lorries up these roads that are not suitable for them .

Councillor Sharon Ball has contacted the Sat Nav Companies and asked then to remove several Roads such as Brook Road and Lyndhurst Road from their systems.

The two main companies are NavTeq and TeleAtlas and we hope that they will respond to our requests.

Matt Hemsley Said: "Many residents have suffered as a result of these Sat Nav companies having the wrong information and with the information that we have now given them we hope that this matter will now be resolved".

Lidl Latest

The latest update in the Saga about the probability of Lidl taking over the former Herman Miller Site.

The Council tell us that the planning permission will be granted once the legal agreements for improvements to such items as highway improvements are signed by the developer.

This has been going on for nearly four years now and I am looking forward to seeing this site cleared up and a new supermarket and associated shops on site.

Many local people have been telling us that they would welcome a Lidl on this site and we hope that this time it will become a reality.

Grow it cook it share it

Bath City Farm put on a special day that many children as well as Adults seemed to enjoy. The Launch of the grow it cook it share it day was made all the more special by the sight of Shire Horses pulling an old fashioned plough on new allotment areas that are being created.

The whole farm area has been spruced up with new fences and is now quite spectacular.

Beware a message from the Police

The price of scrap metal has continued to rise and because of this we are experiencing a significant rise in the number of reported crimes of metal theft, particularly lead and copper.

Where possible please consider any metals on your property and take any measures available to you to prevent them being stolen.  Prevention measures could include better perimeter security, removing easy access and any climbing aids to roofs, securing ladders away and increasing visibility to the area.  There are alternatives to lead that can be used with the correct planning permission if a listed building and metals can be property marked with forensic security marking solutions.

If you require more information please contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor on 0845 456 7000 and also visit our website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Loxton Drive Street Lights

We have again chased the council and Somer Housing with regards to the street lights not working properly.

We had a few weeks ago received a response saying that the fault was an underground one and should be sorted within a week this has not happened so we have chased them again.

Lymore Ave Playing Fields

We have asked the council to ensure that the dog waste bins are emptied on Lymore Playing Fields.

We are unhappy that these are not being emptied as it is unhealthy particularly as this is close to a children's play area.


If you see these overflowing then please let us know and we will ensure that they are dealt with.

Priddy Close

Who dumped this

We have asked that the fly tipping behind 17 Rooksbridge Walk is removed as soon as possible.

If you know who is responsible for this fly tipping then please either contact Council connect on 394041 or let us know and we will have this chased up.

Ivy Avenue, Bath.

Ivy Avenue, Bath.

Between 1800 hours on Friday 1st and 0900 hours on Wednesday 6th April 2011, unknown person(s) removed a pedal cycle from the rear garden of a property.

If you have any information regarding these incidents please contact the Police on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively you could contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

If you witness a crime in progress or you believe a crime has just occurred please ring 999.

If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111.  e

Election Noninations for Westmoreland Ward (inc East South & West Twerton)

Election nominations have been validated by the Returning Officer and there are nine candidates standing in Westmoreland Ward at the election on Thursday, May 5th.

Cllr Sharon Ball and Matt Hemsley are your Liberal Democrat candidates for the two places available.

Sharon and Matt are both committed to listening to, and representing the residents and community of Westmoreland Ward that includes East South & West Twerton for the next four years.
In the spirit of democracy and local debate we wish the other candidates good luck during the next month. You can read the full list of people nominated on the Council’s Website (Scroll down to Westmoreland Ward).

This can't be right

Residents in Lymore Avenue have become very upset at local builder Flower & Hayes who have erected a solid wooden fence in front of their Kitchen windows.

The residents tell me that the original planning permission for new homes that were built on the former Reads yard gave permission for a hand rail and not a fence and I have had this confirmed by the councils planning department.

Contact with the developer by both myself and local residents have met with a blank rejection and they do not seem interested in residents who have enjoyed a right of light for many years. The Council have told us that they are unable to force Flower & Hayes to remove the fence.

I feel that the residents have been treated very badly and would hope that the developer of the new homes and would see some common sense and remove the fence that they have erected and put in the original hand rail that the existing residents thought was going to happen.