Visit to Combe Hay Monday 8th November

It was good to talk to so many households in Combe Hay on Monday this week. Several issues were raised with me, but by far the biggest issue was the continuing anger at the ineffective "bus lane" leading up to the Park and Ride roundabout. We agree with you that this was a waste of £1million that our Conservative Cabinet would have been better spending elsewhere on the highway network. However several of you also complained about the measures being put in on Wellsway, especially the confusing priorities at the Red Lion roundabout. I have raised this concern with the Highways Department and will keep you informed.

A New Pavement For Christmas!

<- Louise Bray inspecting the wide grass verge where she has been inspecting for a footpath to be built for 5 years now.

Residents of Crossways Park, Dunkerton, have been complaining to us for over 5 years now about the need for the pavement to this local bus stop. The speed of traffic makes the lack of a pavement a real safety hazzard for pedestrians walking to the bus stop.

We have been working to persuade the council during this time that the provision of a pavement is vital. One of the problems was the BT telegraph pole, and we are delighted to report that negotiations with BT over this obstacle are now nearly complete. This means the council can proceed with building a pavement.

The council have assured us that work is scheduled to start towards the end of November.We will be keeping an eye on this.

After five years of waiting it will be a great christmas present for bus users from Crossways Park to be able to reach the bus stop in safety without having to walk along the road.

Mad housing targets scrapped

Louise Bray (pictured) has welcomed the news that the target to build thousands of houses on rural countryside in North East Somerset has been scrapped.

The new coalition government has thrown Labour’s plans out of the window, which could have seen 2,000 houses built at Newton St Loe with no consideration given to the views of local residents, or the effect if could have on amenities and services.

Louise, who spoke against the plans at a previous B&NES Council meeting, said:

“People living in their own communities should always be asked about what things they’d like, and not like, to see in their areas.
When the previous government introduced plans to build thousands of houses in North East Somerset none of us were consulted.
Thankfully, these plans have now been scrapped. I have seen the way the campaigners have relentlessly fought their corner in protecting the countryside. They can now breathe a huge sigh of relief.”

Under the previous government, a centrally imposed target was given to build 21,000 houses in B&NES by 2026.

Public Announcment

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(SKINNER’S HILL, CAMERTON)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) NOTICE 2010

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 has made a notice the effect of which will be to close temporarily to vehicles that length of Skinner’s Hill which extends from its junction with Under Tree Road to its junction with A367 Fosseway.

This notice is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road consequent upon urgent surface patching and will be operative from the 7TH JUNE for a maximum period of five days. 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 DAY.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE – Under Tree Road, A367 Fosseway

Dated: 4 June 2010

Floor 2, Riverside,Temple Street,Keynsham, BristolBS31 1LA

David Trigwell
Divisional Director of Planning and
Transport Development

Camerton School to remain open

Local campaigners and politicians have welcomed the news that Camerton Church Primary School is to remain open.

Concerns over the school’s future rose a few years ago when a review by B&NES Council’s education scrutiny panel noted the total number of children in the school was on the decline.
The same scrutiny panel though on Monday night voted to keep the school open, following a recommendation in a report presented to the panel.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Louise Bray is delighted with the news. She said:

“I know Camerton very well and have seen the way the local community supports the school in all sorts of ways.

For a number of years the number on roll at the school had declined, but thanks to the support of community groups, the Parish Council and the on site pre-school the numbers are on the rise.
Camerton School may be small, but it has a big role to play in village life.”

The decision follows a successful OFSTED report earlier in the year when the school was congratulated for its hard work in raising standards and providing a first class education to all its pupils.

Cllr Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown), the Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services in B&NES, visited the school in January to see for himself what they’ve been doing and to congratulate them on their success. He said:

“The staff, under the leadership of Headteacher Keith Ford, have worked really hard to make Camerton a community school and provide a learning environment that is tailor-made to suit each child.

I was really impressed by the school and hopefully, when I visit again in the future, will see even more progress.

The scrutiny panel’s decision to keep the school open is good news for pupils, parents, staff and the whole community.”

Dance can help prevent fractures says Osteoporosis Society

Gail Coleshill, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, is supporting Dance in North East Somerset as a health and social activity.
She said:
“I was surprised to find that dance is recommended by the National Osteoporosis Society to prevent fractures. I visited them recently with my colleague Louise Bray to hear about the work they are doing locally at the Mineral Hospital and nationally to help prevent the disease.”
Gail and Louise Bray visited the Headquarters of the national Osteoporosis Society, whose President is the Duchess of Cornwall, to see how they are addressing the very serious issue of fractures caused by thinning of the bones. Although Osteoporosis afflicts more women it can affect men too. The fractures caused by Osteoporosis need hospital care and can lead to ongoing care problems for the sufferer. The Society is working with local health authorities to identify people at risk and try to put in some preventative measures.
Louise said:
“The recent fracture suffered by the Duchess of Cornwall, although not directly related to osteoporosis, because of her family history and link with the Society serves to remind us that the ongoing care of fracture patients is a serious matter. Preventative measures are seen by the Society as a better way of dealing with the health problems of osteoporosis.”
Apart from dancing a diet rich in calcium is one of the preventative measures recommended for the mainly older women who are identified as being at risk. Beer has recently been recommended but apparently it is the silicon within the water which is the element to help prevent Osteoporosis.

Gail ready for election fight

After 18 months of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has finally called a General Election.
Here in North East Somerset, the Liberal Democrats have re-selected well respected political activist Gail Coleshill to contest the election, which will be fought under brand new parliamentary boundaries.

Gail, who has worked for ten years on community projects and initiatives in the area, said:

“A lot has changed here since the last General Election. Not just do we have new boundaries, but our Labour MP has become even more unpopular and the Conservatives have selected a candidate who has no track record of doing anything in our area.
I’m 100% ready for the election contest and hope the people of North East Somerset will elect me as their new MP.”

The new constituency, previously known as Wansdyke, will be losing the Bitton, Oldland Common area to the north of Keynsham – which has had a Labour MP for the last 13years.
New additions to the constituency include Batheaston, Bathampton, South Stoke and Freshford (a total area of around 7,000 voters) – which have all been served by the Lib Dem MP Don Foster for the last 18 years.

Today, Gail Coleshill has published her four pledges for election to Parliament:

1. Economy: I’ll work with Vince Cable to help working families by raising the individual tax free allowance to £10,000. We’ll cut out tax loopholes for the rich and reduce income tax by taxing pollution.
2. Environment:
· I will continue to campaign to protect the environment, particularly against plans to build thousands of houses on the greenbelt.
· We do need more low cost housing, so I want to bring empty homes back into use for affordable housing and increase the energy efficiency of all houses to save money and keep homes warmer.
· I’ll work with other Lib Dem MPs to push for planning decisions to be taken away from central government and decided locally.
· I would like to make buses and trains affordable and reliable so that people have a real choice on how to travel. Re-open railway lines and stations such as Bathampton, Saltford and Radstock to Bristol.
· I support the local Lib Dems plans’ to give all young people free bus passes so they have better access to services.

3. Education: I plan to give teachers more time in the classroom by cutting administration. Raise standards in every school with a pupil premium for every child. Reduce and eventually eliminate university tuition fees.
4. Democratic Reform: The expenses scandal in parliament has put people off politics. I want to change this by using local groups to bring democracy closer to the people, to give people the freedom to sack their MP, and introduce a fairer voting system where every vote counts.
Gail believes the contest locally is wide open:

“Our canvass results are looking very good, with Labour finishing in third place. Every week I am meeting new people on the doorstep, and they’re telling me they want a change from the old-style politics and break from the two older parties.

As we get closer to polling day, election fever is sure to heat up in North East Somerset.”

To watch Gail’s General Election Campaign video visit http://www.nes-libdems.org.uk/