HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish every one a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

OSCOTT NEEDS MORE GRIT BINS

We need more grit bins in this area which is why I am calling on the Transportation for some time to look again at the amount they have allotted to the Oscott Ward.
I have already asked for grit bins for a number of locations in Oscott, for example like the estate where Wideacre Drive is. This Council administration seem very reluctant to improve the situation regarding grit bin allocation but I am continuing to try to get them to take action.
If you have a suggestion where one should be put let me know and I will pass it on for you. We will then see what happens

GIVE A THOUGHT TO THE ELDERLY AT CHRISTMAS

While you are enjoying the festive season please give some thought to any elderly residents you know. With this bitter cold it is often difficult for them to get about, so why not ask if they need anything fetched from the shops or are they ok.

GIVE WILD LIFE A HELPING HAND THIS CHRISTMAS

This sudden cold snap can be disastrous for out wild life so why not try and help out.
With all the Christmas left overs you may well have just what our wild life needs.
Peanuts birds of cake, old apples and so on will all be snapped by wild birds at this time of year in this weather. (for further information look under the RSPB on the webb. Also if you own a bid bath break the ice to allow the birds to drink and bath.
Compliments of the season.

PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR DOGS FOUL FOOTBALL PITCHES

I would like to ask dog owners who exercise there dogs on playing fields like Burford Road, Glenmead and Aldridge Road to ensure they keep their dogs under control clean up any dog mess left by their dogs. I have received a number of complaints about over exited digs and dog fouling on football pitches. Dog Warden are aware of these problems and can fine those who do not control their dogs.
There is room for every one on these open spaces with a bit of consideration

EXPECT DELAYS FOR 12 MONTHS IF YOU USE THE ALDRIDGE ROAD BOARS HEAD JUNCTION

Due to repairs to the M6 motor way bridge over the Aldridge Road near the Boars Head Junction motorists may expect delays near there for the next year.
Work on the bride will start in the new year and as a result, there will be road lane narrowing and the loss of the small slip road (Aldridge road turning near the traffic lights at the Boars Head Junction.) There will also be a 20mph speed limit, at times, in place.
I will do what I can to try and ensure the contractor keep the inconvenience to motorists to a minimum.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON

I would Just like to wish Oscott Residents and any one who reads my blog all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.



If I can be of any assistance to you please contact me via Tel 303 2039 (messages)

MORE JOBS FOR THE OSCOTT AREA.

The old P&O Container base on College Road is to be redeveloped a s a Car Auction facility.
Planning permission has been given for 2 auction rooms, a cafe, reception area and assorted offices to be built on the site. There will also be a large car storage area.
there will be around 260 new jobs created on the site and the Planning department at my request are negotiating with the owners British Car Auctions Limited to try and get as many people from the local area employed on this site as possible . We badly need more jobs for the people in this area and this could be a good way of finding some of them them.

A BETTER WAY TO SPEND A MILLION POUNDS

One of the most frustrating things about being a back bench Councillor for an outer city ward, is seeing money being thrown at City Centre projects.
I fairness parties across the Political Davide do have a habit of doing this. However at the current moment when things are tough world wide and economies are having to be made it is particularly annoying.
A recent example is the spending of the best part of a million pounds to have what is basically a large TV screen put up in Victoria square. It has taken two years of consultation to find out most of those people consulted, if they do want this screen? do not want it in Victoria square.
The current Council would have saved a lot of money if they had put this TV screen in say the Chamberlain square rather than the world renown and listed Victoria Square.
They could then have spent that million pounds on saving the Aldridge Road Day Centre and on many other useful initiatives for local people.

A SLOW WAY FORWARD FOR ROAD SAFETY AROUND OUR SCHOOLS

At long last I have received responses to a number of emails asking what is happening to safeguard Oscott Children out side the Perry Beeches and Great Barr schools.
I have been campaigning for some time to make roads near these roads safer. A number of consultations are now going ahead with local resident and the schools. Unfortunately some objections have been made to proposals for safety measures around the schools and this are slowing up the process.
The good news is according to a senior Transportation department director
Vehicle Activated Speed Sign - Aldridge Road
They are proposing to erect a Vehicle Activate Speed sign on Aldridge Road. The sign has been ordered and is due to be installed in March 2010.
You may be assured Councillor Barbara Dring and I will do all I can to speed up the process.

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUPS DOING WELL

I have managed to get along to both the Saint Marks Day Centre for the Elderly and to the Oscott Elderly Residents Groups meetings this week.
The Saint Marks Day Centre staff do a great job looking after their elderly charges and making sure they enjoy their dinner time meals. They also ensure there is plenty of things for them to do after their meals. It certanly helps to get elderly residents out of their homes.

The Oscott Elderly Residents Groups which is organised by Maureen Bynre and Friends is a monthly get together for older people in the area. Certainly when I manage to pop it they are having a lively time of a cup of tea and a cake. They always manage to ask me those difficult questions you would rather not answer. They also usually have a guest speaker on hand.
(This group meet every month at the 610 Community Centre. Please ring 464 1869 for details)

BOOTHS LANE THIS COUNCILS LACK OF ACTION

The Birmingham City Council have now decided not even to put warning signs at each end of the Non adopted section of Booths Lane depite its clearly dangerous condition.
Some years ago at my request when the Booths Lane was in poor condition they agreed to put up uneven carriage way road signs.
Now the condition of the carriage way has, despite warnings from Councillor Dring and myself, has been allowed to deteriorate to a dangerous condition.
This being the case I have been calling for warning signs to inform those users of especially those on two wheels and not knowing the area, of the potential danger of this part of Booths Lane.
With the current bad weather these signs are even more urgently needed.
Also because of the lack of action by the Birmingham City Council and the Sandwell City Council there are regular accidents on at the near by Queslett Road Nova Court junction area and the Police are having to divert traffic onto the potentially dangerous Booths Lane. This means more drivers who are not aware of the condition of the unadopted section of Booths Lane may have accident.
THE COUNCIL SHOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGED CARRIAGE WAY AND PASS ON THE BILL TO THE OWNER OF THE LAND OR ADOPT THE ROAD THEM SELVES. THE VERY LEAST THEY SHOULD DO IS PUT UP WARNING SIGNS. THEY ARE RESPOSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE DRIVING THROUGH OSCOTT.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ALDRIDGE ROAD SLIP ROAD NEAR BIRDBROOK ROAD.

At long last the Birmingham City Council have started to carry our work requested by Councillor Barbara Dring and myself some time ago and are widening the Aldridge Road to Birdbrook Road slip Road. They are creating a number of parking bays by reducing the size of the half island at this junction. This will not create any extra parking but it will help ease the problems motorists face trying to negotiate that junction.
The James Watt College have now also presented their Planning application for 150 extra car spaces on their campas to the Council and this should be looked into over the next few months.

DO NOT PARK ON DISABLED BAYS.

one of the things which came up at the recent ORG public meeting was the concern that disabled bays marked on carriage ways are being used by non disabled drivers.
This is a sign of the times it seems where some drivers no longer seem to care where they park and who they make life difficult for.
Disabled bays are meant for disabled people who have problems walking and need to for example park closely to shops and Dr's. These disabled drivers should have blue badges to identify their disability needs.
I would call on all drivers not to park on disabled bays and give disabled drivers respect

PUBLIC MEETING TOMORROW SAT 5th

The Oscott Residents Groups have asked me to let people know there is a ORG public meeting tomorrow at the 610 Community Centre (10.45am). There will be a chance chat with members of the ORG. Khalid Mahmood MP and local Councillors have been invited to a Q and A session.
There will also be "free" mince pies.

DUNEDIN ROAD REPAIRS TO START SOON

I have just learnt that at long last work is to start on the pavements in Dunedin Road. There will be 8 weeks of major pavement reconstruction work beginning in early January.
I have been campaigning along with Councillor Barbara Dring and local residents for some years to get the pavements and carriage ways repaired in Dunedin Road and this is just the start of things.
Later this year the carriage ways is also expected to have major work carried out on it. Councillor Dring and I will be keeping the pressure on the Transportation department to get on and do this work as soon as possible. The work is urgently needed give the very poor state of the carriage way.
We have also not forgotten the other roads in the area with very poor carriage ways and we will keep bringing these to the attention of the Transportation department to.

BOOTHS LANE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE

Booths Lane which now resembles a bad third world dirt track is again in an appalling state. It is yet again full of pot holes and trenches.
It would appear that the Council are not prepared to do anything about it because of lack of funds. (Councillor Barbara Dring and I will continue the battle.)
The owner appears to have given up on the carriage way which leaves us in the situation we are in.
As an interim measure I am (with the agreement of the Oscott Ward Committee) calling on the Council to a least have signs erected warning the unwary of the potential dangers condition of the road.
WE will have to see if the Council will take action regarding this request.