SouthdownBath

Dine and Paul have been campaigning against fast traffic speed in Southdown since 2003. Locally the Liberal Democrats are looking to follow the example of Portsmouth where the ruling Liberal Democrat group has implemented 20MPH speed limit over the vast majority of residential roads.

This has to be the way forward as slower speeds mean safer roads. We have called for this approach to be adopted locally and will be working for schemes in SOuthdown.

Now Parliament is getting on the campaign as well at this BBC Link.

Two years ago we started talking to Somer Housing about refurbishing the small play area in Roundhill Park. The children presented a petition. Sadly in that time it has not been a high priority for Somer. All that has happened is that bark chippings were laid down.

In the intervening period more of the wooden posts have gone, the equipment has deteriorated further and older children have started using it as a gathering point and we have had a problem with broken bottle.

Now following a period of abuse to residents from some of the older youngsters from elsewhere and a young child getting a cut eye everyone is up in arms with anger. Somer sent a member of staff out to a public meeting to meet with the youngsters and parents and saw in detail the problems. Hopefully this will now be sorted swiftly. We wll certainly be pursuing the issue with vigour.  

Dine Romero with parents and children at the play area.

The next meeting of the Southdown PACT (Partners and Communities Together) is

WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER

at SOUTHDOWN JUNIOR SCHOOL

starting at 6.30pm

Apologies for the wrong information sent by email earlier today in too much of a rush.

This is our fourth meeting. PACTS were set up by the police over a year ago with the intention of bringing the community together with a range of agencies - police, council, Somer Housing and the PCT to discuss local problems and issues and collectively agree on priorities for solutions.

All Southdown residents welcome.

The new Chief Inspector Gary Davis is making a good start in Bath. He is visiting communities and listening to their concerns and fears and issues. The next Southdown PACT is on Wednesday 15 - all Southdown residents welcome.

Here are some of the main items from Gary's latest monthly report and it is good to see the commitment on alcohol problems .

"Television broadcasts of fire, explosions and the evacuation of local residents certainly put Bath and North East Somerset at the forefront of attention. Fortunately no-one was hurt and the incident at the Southgate Centre was soon brought under control and people were able to return to their homes. The initial response from the public, residents and other agencies was that a well coordinated approach came together.

The incident itself was a unique opportunity to put in place some of the plans we have for dealing with major incidents and so it is important that we learn from the experience. As agencies we will meet and talk through what worked well and what we need to improve on.

Crime continues to fall across B&NES in general terms and we are currently seeing an 11.3% fall compared to last year. Particularly pleasing is a reduction of house burglaries of 14.2% again compared to last year. This has been helped by the recent arrest and prosecution of a couple of prolific offenders. Bath and North East Somerset continues to have the highest detection rate in the Force at 30.4%.

I have become increasingly concerned with the activities of some of the regular street drinkers in our area. I am not willing to tolerate antisocial, violent or abusive behaviour on our streets and I have asked my Officers to police in a firm manner when dealing with incidents that are reported or that they witness. I am also seeking some discussions with other agencies about a joint response to try to solve some of the issues they raise."

Many thanks for all the responses we have had back on the bus consultation. These have been forwarded to the transport section for consideration when they review the Council bus subsidies. We will be fighting to keep all the subsidies on routes serving the Southdown area.

The consultation has not yet ended and the decision will be made in November.

As you can see from the range of comments many issues are raised concerning the service First provide and we will be seeking a meeting with first to put some of the concerns and issues raised directly to them.

 Bus_Consultation_Oct_2008.rtf

Please note the following road closure which hopefully will only be during the coming week. We will keep an eye on the work.BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(PENNYQUICK HILL, BATH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2008

Notice is hereby given that the Bath and North East Somerset Council in pursuance of the provisions of section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended intends to make an order the effect of which will be to close temporarily to vehicles that length of Pennyquick Hill which extends from its junction with Newton Road & Whiteway Road for 100 metres in a north westerly direction. This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road consequent upon BT connection works and will be operative from the 6 October for a maximum period of one month. However, the restriction may not be effected for the whole of the period but it is anticipated that the road will be closed as and when traffic signs are in position and only for so long as is necessary to execute the works which it is anticipated will be for ONE WEEK. ALTERNATIVE ROUTE - Whiteway Road, Rush Hill, Frome Road, Wellsway, Wells Road, A36 Lower Bristol Road, A4, Pennyquick.

Dear Residents of Mount Road, The Hollow, Alderley Road, Lytton Gardens and Sladebrook Road

We have just received the following information of yet another mobile phone mast application from planning.

"Dear Cllr Just to inform you that Vodafone have applied to install a new mast and cabinets at the above address and from a highways prospective the site they have chosen is suitable however this is all subject to planning consent. I have the plans of the site should you wish to view them. Regards"

Please let us know your views which I am sure will be similar to those of past applications for this area. Sadly we cannot prevent utility after utility exploring the same site. Dine will be at the usual monthly surgery on Saturday morning if you would like to discuss with her between 10 and midday at the Methodist Church.

Paul and Dine.