OSCOTT GROT SPOT LITTER PICK TEAM IN ACTION

Along with some other members of the Oscott Litter picking Team (Organised by the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and myself) I helped with some litter picking on the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground and near the Aldridge Road entrance to the grounds, today

NEW TREES FOR THE ALDRIDGE RECREATION GROUND

I had a pleasant tree planning session with members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve ( including Brenda and John, who also help look after the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground and other local open spaces in Oscott).

Also at the event where 10 trees were donated for planting by Trees for life were children from the Great Barr Junior school (Who did most of the work) member of the Birmingham City Council, Councillor Tristan Chatfield and Trees for Life.
                                                                                          

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE AND THORNCLIFE ROAD ARE TO HAVE THEIR CARRIAGE WAYS RESURFACED

At long last Thornbridge Avenue and ThornClife Road, are to have their carriage ways resurfaced.
The Oscott Councillors Barbara Dring  Tristan Chatfield a myself have battled for this for a long time on behalf of residents and motorists alike.

I recieved a letter from Amey Highways about 18 months ago assurring me the Thornbridge Road carriage way road surface was to be done now I have been informed at the Oscott District Committee recorded and live streamed that the work will be carried out in January.

I will be reminding them of this on a regualr basis until the work is done.

LIGHTS REPAIRED IN FORGERS WALK TUNNEL

I was pleased with the help of the Oscott Residents association I have been able to get the Forgers wark tunnel lighting repaired and with the the Oscott councillors we are trying to fund improved lighting on Oscott approach to it.

I was pleased with the help of the Oscott Residents association I have been able to get the Forgers walk tunnel lighting repaired and with the Oscott councillors we are trying to fund improved lighting on Oscott approach to it.

This area has a poor reputation due to it being poorly lit now hopefully residents will have more confidence when using It at night

THE KINGSTANDING SHOPPING PRECINCT

The Kingstanding Circle looks very sorry for itself these days. Many of the units are now empty including the chemist.
The owners of the precinct need to give it a revamp. The Council needs to see if there is anything they can do a residents need to use it more.
It is a great shame it is trapped between a large ASDA Store at the Queslett Road and large retailers near the Beggars bush.
 The problem of to many take always in the area has been partly addressed with the Planning Committee allowing a smaller percentage of these per shopping area but there does need to be more variety of shops. It is not easy for a trader to start up in these days of intense austerity however.

The last time it was given a real upgrade was when European funding was available for shopping area's some years ago. This was many used for near by pavement and safety work with the help of the then Traders Association.

I am trying to get the Council to look into the situation but with all the cuts in their funding from Central Government there are no easy solutions.

FORGERS WALKER WALK TUNNEL NEEDS BETTER LIGHTING

There have been a number of complaints regarding the approach to the Forgers Walk tunnel at the bowman Road end does not have enough lighting. With this in mind the Oscott Councillors are looking for funding to try and improve the situation. We hope to encourage the Housing department to look into this.

With regards to the tunnel itself I am attempting to get Amey Highways to replace broken lights in it. Residents need to feel more secure at this time of year when the nights are getting longer when they use this tunnel.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR FLY TIPPING

There is no excuse for fly tipping. Holfod Drive Waste Disposal site is still free of charge to take rubbish to. Anyone caught fly tipping should receive the absolute maximum fine available.
Why should decent residents  or for that matter the Council have to deal with fly tipped rubbish

Desford Avenue is one example. I am calling on the Birmingham City Council to take more action to prevent fly tipping and to prosecute the offenders . A CCTV camera needed  in the area as are more signs. They should also consider a name and shame policy

ELIM LIFE CHURCH SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS

The Elim Life Church Warren Road will be welcoming Father Christmas on Saturday  10th of December from 12 noon to 4pm.
There will be mince pies, non alcoholic wines and carols as well as father Christmas and his grotto.

All children will receive a free gift.

Why not pop in.

Adults I understand are welcome if under the strict supervision of a child?

THE OSCOTT TEAM FIGHTING FOR THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF OUR LIBARIES

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I are not only Oscott Councillors but we also live in the ward. We have both always had a vested interest in looking after our libraries.

Along with Councillor Tristan Chatfield we have worked hard behind the scenes for a long time to help ensure modernization of both the Kingstanding and Perry Barr Libraries have taken place. We have also fought to keep the Perry Barr Ward library at Tower Hill open to.

This has not started over night and we are the only local team to have battled to keep these Oscott libraries on a regular basis.

Unlike some this is not just a quick stunt we are in it for the long haul and are now working with local MPs and other organisations to try to ensure the long term future of these libraries.

If you also want to support us in looking after Oscott libraries please email me on Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

THE CEDAR CHURCH CHRISTMAS MARKET.

There will be a Christmas Market held at the Cedar Church Lambeth Road. B44 9NR

This will take place on  Saturday 3rd December between 11am and 3pm.

There will be a skating rink
Donkey and pony rides
stalls
crafts
raffles

I have also been told Santa and his elves will be making a special appearance.

                                                           ADMISSION IS FREE

THE CEDAR CHURCH CHRISTMAS MARKET.

There will be a Christmas Market held at the Cedar Church Lambeth Road. B44 9NR

This will take place on  Saturday 3rd December between 11am and 3pm.

There will be a skating rink
Donkey and pony rides
stalls
crafts
raffles

I have also been told Santa and his elves will be making a special appearance.

                                                           ADMISSION IS FREE

BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT WORKING PARTY TO MEET SOON

As any regular reader of my blog will be aware along with members of the Oscott Residents Association (north section, all are un paid volunteers) I attend occasional meeting of the Booths Lane Development  working party.
This is where we meet with Planning Transport officers and senior representatives from Taylor Wimpey (the developer) to try and iron out issues raised by the pubic regarding the development.

On or agenda is trying to move forward the position relating to the opening of Booths Lane, and issues relating to the site such as dust and traffic.

I have been out today with Councillor Barbara Dring to look and find out about the site but as usual I am always interested in residents views. If you have an issue please email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk

OSCOTTS RECYCLING BANKS NEED TO BE EMPTIED MORE.

Overflowing paper and bottle banks does not encourage residents to use them and recycle more
I am continuing to try and get the Council to empty them on a more regular basis.

I was pleased to be part of the move some years ago to have underground bottle banks placed in 2 locations in Oscott however they need to be monitored more now.

THIS YEAR THE HEDGEHOG NEXT YEAR ?

Looking for suitable sites with water retention for improving the reserves wet land with John Wilson


I have spent a busy few weeks working with other Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve on various projects.
This year has certainly been the year of trying to improve the lot of the poor old struggling Hedgehog

Next year however we hope to see the fruits of our preparations for improving the Queslett Nature Reserve habits for amphibians and reptiles come to pass.

As part of our preparations for  with the help of Vice Chair John Davies (and others including our brilliant ling parks ranger) potential wet land improvements are being tested and looked at.

Anyone with thoughts on the Queslett Nature Reserve or who would like to become a volunteer please email me Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk.

Once again a big thank you to all those volunteers who have been helping this year.

MORE HEDGEHOGG HOMES FOR OSCOTTS NATURE RESERVE

Have been

with the help of the hard working Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve team putting in Hedgehog Homes in the Queslett Nature Reserve.

Look after our hedgehogs by checking any bonfires before lighting them

MEETING OSCOTT RESIDENTS OUT AND ABOUT

It was good to be out and about again today meeting residents in Oscott. This is one of the things both Councillor Barbara Dring and I enjoy doing.

I certainly find being out and about meeting residents. listening to their concerns or suggestions for the Oscott ward more enlightening then sitting in a nearly empty hall listening to some over complicated new idea being put forward.

I like to think residents do care about their community and by meeting them on the street in their homes they feel better able to tell things as they are and they can get things off their chest.

BTFL TO PLANT 10 TREES IN OSCOTT

There will be BTFL tree planting event at Aldridge Road Recreation Ground, Oscott on the morning of Wednesday 30th November 2016.  This event is being part funded by the Woodland Trust.   

Pupils from Great Barr Primary School, will be joining in to help to plant ten trees. 

 

LET ME KNOW YOUR VIEWS ON HOW TO IMPROVE OSCOTT

As a local Councillor for Oscott I am always on the look out for good idea's which will help the Oscott area and its residents.

This is one of the reasons I am about so often meeting local residents or giving them one of my cards. I also understand most residents simply have not got the time to attend meetings to discuss issues and have to listen to bureaucratic  twaddle in many cases. ( although we have tried to improve some of those held in Oscott)

If you have any thoughts on how to improve Oscott please let me know by sending in one of my cards writing to me  care of the Council House, leave a message for me on 0121 303 209 or email me on Keith. Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk. ( Don't forget if you have one of my ward Colleagues cards sent them into them to they want to hear what you have to say)

I never make a promise in these tough times when there so many cuts in funding but I will listen to or read what you have to say, do what I can and pass on your views where they should be heard.

IT WAS GOOD TO VISIT EDITH POPE HOUSE AGAIN

It was really nice to meet up with so may old friends during my roving surgery today at Edith Pope House.

The complex looks really nice and the residents all seem to have a smile on their faces. I did however sadly pick up a number of complaints mainly about ASA locally.

It is important in this day and age when there is rightly such an emphasis on the youth that we do not forget our elderly neighbours.

MORE NEW TREES ON OSCOTT STREETS BUT !!

The Oscott ward has had many more new street trees planted over the last 5 years than any of its neighbouring wards. 288 in total.

My fellow ward Councillors and myself have battled with the Council to have new trees of a suitable type planted on our streets as most resident like to see trees in their roads.
Many of these trees have been replacements for large trees which have been removed.

However many residents are becoming alienated when it comes to trees because of the lack of a sensible program when it comes to replacing the large (old) over sized trees in our roads in Oscott.
These trees cause so many problems such as lack of light for gardens, root issues, falling branches, damage to cars, property and  blocked drains and trips due to excessive leaves.

Oscott Residents can be assured although as ever I give no false promises I am continuing to lead a campaign however long it takes to get Amey Highways and the Council to introduce a better more sensible phased tree replacement program and to improve the way large trees are pruned.

I hope Oscott residents will continue to support this campaign. If you want to support this campaign or have a tree related issue please email me 
Keith.Linnecor@Birmingham.gov.uk.

SPEED CAMERAS AND WARNING SIGNS ARE NEEDED.

As you may be aware British Car Auctions has taken over the 20-acre site on College Road, which used to be home to a P&O depot, and has transformed it into a multi-million pound 'remarketing and logistics' centre, plus a state-of-the-art digital auction suite. 

Also there are already complaints about the entrance onto the Queslett Road from the new Great Barr Medical  Centre. ( the barriers on the central reservation further down the road near the Houses still need replacing after an accident) The issue is not what goes on at these sites but the traffic near by.

I have ask that these 2 sites be monitored ( in the case of the Queslett Road and the College Road speed cameras be urgently considered for re-introduction and a warning about the entrances be put in place) 

Both sites may be potential accident locations.