The South Glos Post

People living in Hambrook are being asked to help put the brakes on speeding drivers.

Neighbourhood PC Claire Reeves said: “Local people have voted speeding and problem parking one of the main priorities at the Hambrook Safer Stronger Community Group meeting.

“People are worried about drivers speeding through the village – especially near the school.

“Inconsiderate parking near the school is also a problem, making it difficult for children to cross safely.”

The Neighbourhood Team – Police Community Support Officer John Hitchings and PC Reeves – do carry out high-visibility patrols in the roads around the school during the peak ‘school run’ times – but they can’t always be there.

PC Reeves said: “In other areas similar problems have been successfully tackled with the help of local volunteers running a Speed Watch scheme.

“We’re hoping to set up a similar scheme for Hambrook, so we’re asking for volunteers to help make the village safer for everyone.”

The scheme involves volunteers using a speed gun and taking the registration details of any speeding vehicles. The neighbourhood team then send motorists a warning letter.

PC Reeves said the volunteers would get full training and the equipment needed to run the scheme, which with enough volunteers could only take a couple of hours a month.

If a vehicle is reported as persistently speeding, details could be passed to the specialist Road Policing Unit for targeted intervention. Alternatively, the volunteers could be joined by a police officer who can issue a penalty there and then.

Anyone who wants to join the volunteer group can contact the neighbourhood team at Filton Police Station by calling 0845 456 7000 or e-mailing ssnfilton@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire Council in conjunction with Bristol City Council is undertaking consultation on the development of a major transport scheme – the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

The Package was identified in the South West Regional Funding Advice with a total allocation of £168m and comprises of a proposed rapid transit network with two branches in South Gloucestershire. One in Aztec West – through Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford, Harry Stoke and Coldharbour Lane. The second branch will run from Emersons Green past Hambrook and both routes will go along the M32 to Bristol city centre.

In July, the Government announced ‘in principle’ funding for the scheme.

Consultation has now started in the run up to submitting a Major Scheme Business Case to the Department for Transport in March 2010.

Residents and businesses are urged to get involved and have their say on the proposed rapid transit routes.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “By working together through the West of England Partnership, the four authorities have an impressive track record in attracting major investment in transport in the area, including the North Fringe to Hengrove Package.

“This important transport scheme is designed to tackle congestion and enhance quality of life by improving road safety, air quality, and access to job opportunities. It is also intended to help people get to school and work more efficiently and strengthen the local economy by ensuring that there are realistic alternatives to car travel. All in all, it will have a hugely positive impact for our residents and businesses.

“We look forward to hearing the views of residents and businesses on our proposals and hope they will take the time to respond to this consultation.”

Exhibitions are planned for:

• Aztec West 30 Nov to 4 Dec (un-staffed)
• Willow Brook Centre (Tesco) Bradley Stoke 30 Nov to 7 Dec (un-staffed)
• University of the West of England (Frenchay campus, One Zone lounge) Thursday 3 Dec noon to 2pm (staffed)
• Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre/Library Saturday 5 Dec 9am to noon (staffed)
• Sainsburys Emersons Green 7 to 14 Dec (un-staffed)
• The Community Hall in Little Stoke 9 Dec 4pm to 8pm (staffed)

Information including a questionnaire is now available on the website – www.travelplus.org.uk/NorthFringetoHengrove – alternatively call 01454 868004.

Postcards with details of the exhibitions are being distributed to 30,000 householders along the route. Leaflets will also be available in local libraries from Monday 30 November.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Work has started on the construction of an additional lane on the A4174/M32 roundabout.

The lane will be added to the roundabout between the slip roads on and off the M32 northbound.

It is estimated that the work will take around 12 weeks to complete. The works will be undertaken outside of the rush hour.

The extra lane, which is open to all traffic, should increase the traffic flow on the roundabout and ease congestion, particularly during rush hour. The work links in with a proposed scheme to construct additional vehicle lanes on the nearby Coldharbour Lane section of the A4174, which is currently out for consultation.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transport and strategic environment, said: “This work to add additional capacity to this busy roundabout complements the proposed scheme to add two more lanes to the A4174 on Coldharbour Lane, which we are asking for people’s views on.

“The continued investment in South Gloucestershire’s highway infrastructure will help traffic flow better and reduce delays for public transport and all other road users.”

The X27, X42, X73, U4 and 462 bus services use this roundabout which is often congested and can result in delays. It is hoped that the new lane will help ease congestion and improve the punctuality of these services.

The scheme is part of a £70million investment into the Greater Bristol Bus Network to develop 10 showcase bus corridors across the region, including many that will benefit residents in South Gloucestershire.

For more information visit www.travelplus.org.uk/gbbn email travelplus@southglos.gov.uk or phone 01454 863640.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

South Gloucestershire Council has launched a consultation on proposals to add additional lanes to the A4174 Ring Road between Coldharbour Lane and the M32 junction.

The lanes will run in both the eastbound and westbound directions and the existing carriageway from Coldharbour Lane to the M32 junction will be widened to accommodate the new lanes.

The scheme is part of the £70million investment into the Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) to develop 10 showcase bus corridors across the West of England.

Although the number of lanes for general traffic will not be reduced, only buses, taxis, motorcycles and cyclists, HGVs and cars with two or more occupants will be permitted to use the proposed new lanes.

The extra road space that is being proposed to accommodate priority vehicles will also free up room in the general traffic lanes, which will ensure that all road users benefit from these proposed improvements.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “The additional priority vehicle lanes that we are proposing should reduce journey times for buses and improve reliability making bus travel a more attractive option for more of our residents.

“Furthermore, moving certain vehicles out of the general traffic lanes and into the extra priority vehicle lane will free up space for those motorists who will not qualify to use the new additional lanes ensuring that they too benefit from improved journey times.

“It is important to stress that we are not reducing the number of lanes for general traffic. In fact, by creating extra road space, we are aiming for every road user to benefit from this proposed scheme and so we hope that people will take the time to comment on the plans we are putting forward.”

People are being invited to give their views on the proposals. To find out more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/consultation or phone 01454 863640.

The deadline for comments is Monday 9 November.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council