Have your say on 20mph roads
The council is proposing reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on around 100 roads in Bristol including one in our neighbourhood, Upper Belgrave Road. While these roads make up roughly only 5% of Bristol’s road network, 30% of the city’s serious and fatal casualties occur on them. Research shows that lowering speeds to 20 mph reduces fatalities and injuries.
Many of you have contacted us about speeding on Upper Belgrave Road and reported some very nasty collisions there. We had raised the problems on Upper Belgrave Road at Area 3 committee last year. Last month, the transport and connectivity committee approved the important next step in the 20mph process which is for the plans to go out to public consultation. Serena spoke at the committee in support of the plans.
You can find out more and have your say on the council’s consultation engagement web page. The deadline for feedback is Sunday 17th May.
Cracking ideas for community projects
Following the Area 3 community workshop on 9th March, the committee has received some cracking initial ideas for projects for Community Infrastructure Levy funding in our ward. These include an art installation to improve a mini recycling centre outside a church, a new road sign to improve children’s safety near a local school, and improvements to the outside area of a community club.
Thank you to all the local groups who submitted their proposals for Community Infrastructure Levy funding to the Area 3 committee. Area 3 includes Clifton, Clifton Down, Cotham and Hotwells and Harbourside wards.
The next Area 3 committee meeting, which will select ideas to go forward to the next stage, will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 19th May at Redland Library on Whiteladies Road. All are welcome to attend.
Local history comes alive
Serena thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the council’s very own local history resource ‘Know Your Place (KYP) at an event at Redland Library. Its creator, Pete Insole, gave a fascinating live demo on how to get the most out of this free digital tool. KYP provides a series of historic maps of Bristol as well as images, notes and film footage. You can contribute your own material too.
The event is just one of a very successful series run by Friends of Redland Library. You can find out about future events on their website Home – Friends of Redland Library
Flipping flytipping
Frustratingly, flytipping remains a persistent problem at mixed recycling centres (the big communal bins) throughout our area. These include Oakfield Place, the corner of Southleigh and Oakfield Roads, and Alma Vale Road. Flytipping is hazardous and deeply unfair on those who live near it.
We have seen people drive up and simply dump stuff by these bins. We have again reported the issues on the FixMyStreet app. Please do the same if you can as the app is very easy to use. We are also seeking a long-term solution from Bristol Waste and the council’s senior waste team.
Contact us
Serena Ralston: cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk
George Calascione: cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk
Pillar pitched perfect
The Easter Bunny came early to Oakfield Grove! We were very chuffed to see before Easter that work to protect and secure the wonky and fenced off pillar there was finally complete. The pavement has also been widened and bollards installed around the pillar to prevent future collisions.
It’s taken several years of pressing for this both by us and the Oakfield Residents Association (ORA).
Andrew Findlay from ORA said: “As residents of Oakfield Grove we are so pleased that this historic stone pillar has finally been made safe and the renovation completed. It has been a real eyesore for over five years since being hit and twisted on its base by a large vehicle. The metal fencing subsequently erected around the pillar made entering and leaving the road whether as a pedestrian, or by car, or for delivery lorries, frustrating to say the least. Serena and George have been brilliant in listening to our concerns, actively pursuing the right departments to draw up plans and to secure funding for the project within a limited budget.”
Once the contractors have installed the realigned double yellow lines, they will remove works road signs and traffic cones.
Thank you, Oakfield residents, for your patience and perseverance!
