ANOTHER POLICE ACTIVITY DAY IN OSCOTT OPERATION SHACKEL

I was happy to attend another Police activity day in Oscott. Following a large number of complaints about speeding and bad parking near the Great Barr School, the Police put together an operation to look into the problem. This became operation Shackle. A number of parents were spoken to about their parking out side the Great Barr School by the Police and Parking attendants. The Council waded in by distributing information packs and so on.
I would like to see more of these events however it is up to the Council to find solutions to the bad parking problems around our schools. I would like to know what has happend to proposals for some 20MPH zones to be introduced?
With regards to the Great Barr Schools I have reminded the Councils Transportation department of the Aldridge Road Road Safety Scheme Phase 2 initiative and will try and get some progess from them. ( there was a public meeting last year)

NEW LITTER BINS NOW IN PLACE IN OSCOTT

I was glad to see a number of new litter bins have now been put out on the streets in Oscott. The Oscott Housing Liaison Board have stumped up some of the funding they look after to pay for these litter bins.
I would like to thank all HLB members, residents and even Traders who sent me suitable location idea's for where these litter bins could go.
I just wish there was more funding for more litter bins.

SAINT MARKS DAY CENTRE VISIT

I popped into the Saint Marks Day Centre for the Elderly yesterday.I was as ever was impressed with the efforts of those looking after the elderly their. These helpers do not get nearly enough praise.

WHEN WILL THEY MOVE THE GRIT BINS?

It is the first of May the day after tomorrow and I am still receiving complaints about youngster acting in a anti social way with grit bins. Residents are rightly fed up that now unless there is some freak weather, the snow is long gone and we still have grit bins all over the place.
Youngster often see these bins as easy targets to knock over or stand on, to look into residents gardens. I have called on the Councils Transportation department to get these bins moved and quickly.

If you have a problem with a grit bin please ring me on 360 6486

SWINE FLU?

I have been contact by a couple of elderly residents already about the issue of Swine Flu. Although I am no expert on the subject it does seem to me the Government are acting in a sensible way about the matter.
The only advice I could give was keep an eye on the TV for any public health advice and ring the NHS Direct 0845 4647 if they have any concerns for their own health.
lets all hope the press act in a responsible way and don't try to frighten people for the sake of selling news papers?

WIDEACRE AND CRESTWOOD DRIVES, CARRIAGE WAY NEGLECT

During another of my impromptu walk abouts I met with a number of residents from Crestwood and Wideacre drives who are disgusted with the state of their carriage way.
It makes you wonder if the Council are trying to make Booths Lane un adopted carriage way less less awful. Certainly many carriage ways in the area have been left to go to rack and ruin over the last couple of years.
Councillor Barbara Dring and I will be putting the Council under pressure to do something about these carriage ways.

SAY GOOD BY TO THE 91 BUS ROUTE

I note with interest that with minimal consultation Travel West Midland (National Express) are taking away the 91 bus route.
At yesterdays Transport Users Forum (held in Stirchley) after being told how wonderful the new bus partnership is and what a wonderful thing the new bus vision strategy is (don't get me wrong there is some good things about it) I did bring up the loss of bus routes and alteration to routes and was told these things have to happen.
This is why I have my doubts has how those who do not live of main bus routes will excuse the pun "fare" in the future. Time will tell?

THERE IS NO THREAT TO THE PENSIONERS BUS PASSES

Some papers have picked up up on a story that the Government was going to stop the use of Pensioners bus passes. I have now checked with Centro and this is nonsense.
The bus Pass is safe and there is still no maximum distance or any other such restriction. The only things which will be effected are the use of coach trips and open top tourist type buses which were not intended to be part of the scheme any way.

For further confirmation contact the Centro hot line.

FLY TIPPING IN BOOTHS LANE

There has been more tipping in Booths Lane. Rubbish including professionally treated Tyre rings have been dumped in the unadapted section of Booths Lane.
It is time all concerned got together and stamped down hard of fly tippers.
If you have any information regarding fly tipping please ring 303 1112 or 303 9900

BURNHAM ROAD NEEDS ITS ROAD RESURFACED.

Over the last year or so both Councillor Barbara Dring and my self have noticed a marked deterioration in the state of the carriage ways in Oscott, due to the neglect of the Cities Transportation department. We are not just speaking about the awful concrete carriage ways in the area either.
During my recent walk about in Burnham Road for example, a number of residents whilst grateful that I had helped get some pot holes repaired in the past, were very keen to see the Council take a real interest in their roads carriage way.
I am already calling on the Council to, look again at their road repair program in the Oscott and to do more work in the area. I have made certainly sure Burnham Road has been brought to their attention once more. This road need to be resurfaced.

YET ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON THE ALDRIDGE ROAD

There has been yet another accident on the Aldridge Road. This time near the Valley Nursing home yesterday.
As you probably are aware despite the local community constantly asking for road safety measures because of the amount of accidents on this road, the Councils Transportation department are saying no to speed indicators , traffic lights (at the Greenholm Road junction) and so on.
Be assured I will continue to work with the local community as will my colleague Councillor Barabara Dring to try and get the Council to do something. By keeping up the pressure on the Council we may get something done. I will also continue to point out the problems faced by motorists on this section of Aldridge Road to the Planning Committee every time they agree yet more development on sites off this road.

LETS HAVE 20mph ZONES AROUND SCHOOLS IN BIRMINGHAM AND NOT ARGUE WHOSE IDEA IT IS

At the recent Birmingham City Council meeting I found it almost amusing when the Cabinet member for Transportation criticised a MP for claiming she was responsible for a 20MPH Zones initiative around schools in Birmingham. It was insinuated that it was the Council Administrations initiative.

I have been calling on such a zone to be established around schools in Oscott (in suitable locations) for a long time and just get "its being looked into" from the Transportation department. I do not mind who gets the credit I would just like to see safer roads for school children.
They need to look at Glenmead, Sundridge,Perry Beeches, Aldridge Road, Greenholm, Hawthorn Road, Maryvale schools to start with in Oscott.

STILL NO FUNDING TO DEAL WITH DANGEROUS TREES IN COTLEIGH GROVE

There has been some movement since my previous post re this issue 21st March.

On Friday 3 April 2009, the Manager for the Land and Property section of the Housing Department visited the Cotleigh site along with other Officers. A review of the site was conducted and as a result it has been concluded that some work need to be done to prevent the retaining wall from further crumbling.
They are currently seeking quotes to lop and remove some of the trees (which is understood was planted by the previous owners of the Bacon factory?)
Then costings to repair the wall. These will be presented to the District Housing Manager, for her to seek funding from Senior Management
I have been informed however that currently no budget has been identified. Given this issue has been brought to the attention of the Housing department by my self and other for some years this is clearly not good enough.

HAPPY EASTER

I would like to wish every one a Happy Easter and to remind you that if if you do not fancy all that holiday traffic why not try one of the local parkes or reserves for a day out.
Have a nice walk round Perry Barr Park, Sutton Park, Sandwell Valley, Barr Beacon or why not try the Queslett Nature Reserve. (this is located next to the ASDA Queslett Road) for example.

SKATE BOARD CENTRE A STEP CLOSER?

I managed to get a long to the Skate Board / BMX centres consultation event in Alexander stadium.
I was impressed by the plans I saw there and the proposed location for these centres. They are on the Aldridge Road edge of the Perry Barr park just yards away from the edge of Oscott and all the main bus routes.
Every member of the public I spoke to was delighted that the consultation was going ahead and there were a number of questions asked of the designers. All the residents I spoke to were in favour.
Later on I took a copy of the plans and spoke to some youngsters in the Perry Barr Park who were using the old BMX site. They were all over the moon at the idea. One lad (James from Anstey Road) said " It is time older people did some for us which we want. Where I live there is nothing to do. I have mates from other parts of Oscott and we can meet up here to use the Skate Board track and chill out."

If you want to know more please contact either Councillor Barbara Dring or myself

CALLS FOR ROAD SAFETY MEASURES NEAR KINGSLAND SCHOOL REJECTED

The Current Council Administrations Transportation department have rejected yet another call for road safety measures by Oscott residents.

A petition presented to the Council by myself on behalf of Oscott residents calling for a pedestrian crossing near the new entrance to Kingsland school, has been rejected without apparently even traffic monitoring taking place. It would appear Transportion department officials, now consider having a look at the traffic in using a road and looking at statics is enough to say no to requests for road safety measures.

Along with Councillor Barbara Dring I will continue on behalf of local residents to try and improve Road safety measure for the children using the Kingsland school and we will also do what we can to improve the problem parking near the school.

SKATE BOARD AND BMX TRACK CONSULTATION FOR PERRY BARR PARK

As you may be aware my Colleague Councillor Barbara Dring is leading a campaign to have a quality Skate Board Centre established in a suitable place where Oscott youngsters can benefit from it. As part of a wider initiative which involves the Perry Barr Ward Councillors who have a sceme in mind for a BMX track the following consultations (see below) are taking place.

PERRY PARK BMX/SKATEPARK CONSULTATION EVENT

ALEXANDER STADIUM HOSPITALITY SUITE
Wednesday 8TH April
4.00-6.00pm

COME AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE PROPOSED BMX/SKATEBOARD PARK VENTURE IN PERRY PARK


· See plans
· Discuss development with project leaders
· Meet potential users
· Discuss reasons for development

The scale of this development clearly means the site it is intended for needs to be suitable and easy to get to which is why the Perry Barr park (near the edge of the Oscott Ward and easily assessable to Oscott youngsters) has been chosen.

I can understand that the concept of such a wonderful opportunity as this combined project may be difficult for some to comprehend but i do hope everyone will rally round and put the interests of young people in the area first.

ALDRIDGE ROAD ALLOTMENT HOLDERS NEED MORE HELP

I popped in to see allotment holders on the Aldridge Road Allotment site yesterday and was surprised to see how active they are. On a tour of the site with their secretary Mrs Soukal, I learnt that there are no vacant allotments and that a lot of work is being put in to turn a small poorly drained section of the site into a Nature Reserve.
It is now hoped that there will be links with the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.
There is also a positive attempt to attract families to use the site.
On the down site the Council urgently need to get to grips with badly needed repairs to the pavilion roof, to remove unwanted asbestos and help to secure parts of the sites buildings. They need more help from the Council to resolve these problems
I will be doing what i can to help in this regard.

If you would like more information about allotments ring 464 1869

TRANSPORT CHIEF AGREES 20 MPH ZONES NEAR SCHOOLS IS A GOOD IDEA.

At yesterdays Council meeting during Question time I was pleased to hear Councillor Len Gregory Cabinet member for Street Service indicate that 20 MPH zones are actively being considered for around schools in Birmingham.
AS you may know from various articles I have done in the past I have been pressing for these zones to be placed out side many of the schools in Oscott where they are suitable (not on A road for example) for some time.
It will now be interesting to see what action Councillor Gregories Transportation will take (and if any thing is done who will try and take the credit)

If you have any ideas on this matter please contact me.

ON GOING ISSUES IN THE OSCOTT WARD

Unlike some I do not give up on issues or just raise them at the run up to elections and this is just a small sample of those I have recently raised yet again. (see also some of my previous posts)

Concrete Roads in Oscott and their condition.
Speeding in Birdbrook Road
The junction of Greenholm Road and Aldridge Road.
The Nova Court junction

The condition of the carriage ways though out the Oscott area including Birdbrook Road, Thornbridge Road, Cookesey Lane and Burnham Road (Sorry but for other roads, my opponent's will have to look round for themselves to find out!)

The Councils Transportation department are now fully aware of the poor condition of the carriage ways in the above roads and other and it is up to them to do something about them I will continue to remind them of the need to take action.

Please do not forget if you have an issue you would like me to try and help you with please give me a ring on 360 6486

GYM AND EXERCISE FOR FREE INIATIVE TO BE REDUCED.

Sadly at a recent Perry Barr Strategic Partnership meeting I learnt that the HOB Gym/ exercise for Free initiative is going to offer less service for most local residents.
It is going to extend across the city but in Perry Barr Constituency (Oscott Ward) it will mean from April 1st.
The service will only be free before 5pm weekdays (Swimming will remain free all day) and after 1pm week ends.

There will be more jogging, walking and fitness awareness sessions but the heavy weights use will be curtailed.

This initiative although a good concept has in my view not been though out properly by those responsible. They should have realised it would be popular (so much so the restriction above are now in place). Peoples expectations have been raised and dashed which is a great shame.

For further details about the changes and what they may mean to you please ring 464 0208

AN UNWELCOME SIGN THAT SPRING IS HERE?

As sure as night follows day and elections follow an avalanche of leaflets, anti social yobs leave a trail of broken newly planted trees in the spring. What amusement some people get from destroying a new trees is beyond me.
As I do most year I will bring this issue to the attention of the Police and hope they can catch one of these mindless fools in the act.
If you want to protect our newly planted trees, should we ever get a Dry spell of weather why not water a new tree if it is is near where you live it may just help it survive?

SANDY LANE PARKING UPDATE

The Transportation departments latest response to my constant requests for them to take action, to help resolve the parking problems, in Sandy Lane, caused by parents from the Perry Beeches schools, is to draw up another plan hopefully to be put in place during the next financial year?
Let us all hope that for once they carry out this promise and get on and solve the problem before their is an accident and to help local residents get on and off their drives.
I will keep up the pressure on the Transportation department until they do.

COLEMAN AND COMPANY'S PLANNING APPLICATION GIVEN THE GO AHEAD

Coleman and Company, Great Barr Shady Lane– Planning application N/00422/09/FUL
In Brief- a risk assessment had been undertaken in relation to this application. The Area Planning Manager (North) confirmed that it had through consultation with Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency. This included hazardess waste including asbestos.

Given this information my colleuges on the planning committee passed this Planning application (also see my post 7th February.)