CAR SHARING NEEDS TO HAPPEN MORE

Its a long hard slog but I am trying to encourage the Birmingham Council and some Oscott Community Groups to promote car sharing. I have also asked Khalid Mahmood MP when he gets elected to put pressure on the Government to do more.

When you see the amount of traffic on the Aldridge Road Kingstanding road and the Queslett road for example you realize something needs to be done.
Sharing cars helps keep running costs down, eases conjestion and lowers health effecting pollution.

Sharing cars can also lead to new feiedships and improve what can be boring lonely journies.

ALL THE SCHOOLS IN OSCOTT HAVE ISSUES WITH NEAR BY ROAD SAFETY

If your child goes to a school in Oscott, ask that School to get involved with the meetings I have helped set up to look at, problem parking and road safety issues around all Oscott Schools.

 I have asked them all to get involved and I am pleased that some have taken up the offer already but not all of them.

 Most if not all schools in this area have major issues with parking and road safety near them and by working together and with other agencies there is a better chance of dealing with some of these problems

It is a tough set of problems but by discussing these issues collectively and with Council agencies, the Fire brigade and the Police some improvements may be found.

There are no magic solutions especially in these tough financial times when the Police and the Council have had massive cuts in their funding ( many local schools may also be facing cuts soon) from the Government, but we have to try.

 Each of the schools in Oscott have been asked to send a representative to these meetings  so please remind your school to get involved, after all it can do now harm

Feed back from these meeting is given as part of  Ward Residents meetings chaired by Councillor Barbara Dring


(See also post re Aldridge Road earlier today)

 

OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN WITH THE OSCOTT GROT SPOT LITTER PICKERS

It was good to be out and about again with some of the FQNR Grot Spot litter pickers,all of which live in the Oscott Ward we do this work as and when we can. Oscott residents wishing to volunteer and join us are welcome.






We had a go at a number of small "spots" and the Birkneshaw to Birdbrook Right of way.
Well done to our team members.

YET ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON THE ALDRIDGE ROAD NEAR THORNBRIDGE AVENUE

There has been yet another accident at the Aldridge Road/ Thornbrige Avenue and Greenholm Road Junction
This time an 11 year old child has been injured. I have yet again been in touch with the Police and the Transportation department asking them to look urgently at introducing further road safety measures.

Over the years I have campaigned to get something done at this junction including battling for Signs, Road marking step over island and speed indicator which have all been tried over the years but more is needed urgently.

I have also asked that the Government be asked to give back some of the money they have taken away for the Council and the Police in the way of funding.
With the support of the Oscott Labour Team and local residents, I will keeping asking for road safety measures at this spot.

If you would help me with my battle to get improvements at this junction please contact me. I am not giving up.

MAKING SURE OUR NEW TREES IN OSCOTT ARE LOOKED AFTER

Checking out a recently planted tree near Forgers Walk of Bowman Road.

As many will be aware the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Environmental group do more than just looking after the reserve. We look after other open spaces I the ward and carry out litter picks.

There is a small but dedicated team of John, Brenda, Bob, Brian, Linda, Andrew as well as others who do what they can to improve the area.

For example recently I have been ensuring new trees planted on open spaces  in the area have been planted correctly with adequate ties to ensure they are secure. 

You can also help trees which have newly been planted in roads in Oscott by reporting any that have become insure. (let me know)
Also should we ever get a dry summer a bucket of water helps from time to time.

FLY TIPPED RUBBISH REMOVED AT LAST

before the rubbish was moved

                                                                             

After the rubbish was removed

I am pleased to say that I have ( with the support of some local Resident and the Oscot Labour Team managed to get the rubbish including the dangerous gas container moved for the access way near the junction of Dyas Road and Aldridge Road.

I hope the owners of this rear access way will now take action to prevent future dumping by for example moving their gates near to the road.

I will continue to try and get the authorities to take more action against fly tipper in the Oscott area and to be tougher still on those who dump gas bottles.

THE OSCOTT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND THE OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP HELD THE AGM'S TODAY

NIGEL QUIN AND SUE FOWLER ANNOUNCED THEIR ENGAGEMENT AT TODAY'S MEETING
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM BOTH
They both met as a result of attending the groups meetings over the years

A well attended AGM of the Oscott Residents Association and the Oscott Elderly Residents Association today witnessed the well deserved re election as Chair of Nigel Quinn and Maureen Byrne respectively.

Both work hard for their respective organisations and together on behalf of the local community.

Other committee members include Bob Wild, Joyce Lee, Brian Brookes, Sue Fowler, Alan Wolverson, and  Lorna Wild amongst others.

I was delighted to be there and hold a question and answer session with members.

Well done to all.

Well done and congratulations also go to Nigel Quinn Chair ORA and newly elected Committee member Sue Fowler on announcing their engagement at today's meeting.
The met as a result of attending meeting over the years.

FLY TIPPING TIPPING IN OSCOTT MUST BE STOPPED

Sadly there continues to be fly tipping hot spots in the Oscott Ward despite the fact rubbish can be taken to the Local Holford Drive Salvage department just minutes down the Road off the Aldridge Road.

All fly tipping is a disgrace but when gas canisters and fridges which have the potential to be very dangerous for children especially,  something really needs to be done.

(I am calling on the powers that be to get much tougher on those who dump gas bottles and canisters the Government needs to look at this and tighten up the rules. They could for example have indemnification be marked on bottles and cylinder and a register of who buys them.)

I am currently trying to get one such hot spot sorted out near the corner of Dyas Road and the Aldridge Road despite warning signs.

 Residents can help by reporting anyone dumping to the Council. Registration numbers and so on could be a help evidence should the Council decide to prosecute.

It should also be remembered that rear access ways are privately owned and are not the responsibility of the Council in most cases. Residents can help prevent fly tipping by ensuring their gates if they have them are locked.

 I will continue to press the Council to try and do more and will be working with a local resident group to help make residents more aware of the problems.

GLENMEAN FIELD GET GRASS SECOND CUT.

Went out to check on the second grass cut of the year of the grass on the Glenmead Playing Field site.
Ended up discussing with residents how to change the world. Or even just to get those at the top to listen?
sadly As mot are aware we have not got the budget to have all the field cut but resident tell me its not to bad.
Who knows the next government may give the Birmingham Council some funding back and we can get things like this done more.
Always good to meet Oscott residents

AT THE NETWORK WEST MIDLAND EXHIBITION BUS TODAY

I was good to be able to pop in and see the work being done by the officers on the Network West Midland Exhibition bus on display in the Birmingham High street.

These exhibitions are a great way to let Public Transportation users information and to hear the public's concerns. There needs to be more of these face to face interchanges in the long run it may mean a better service. Councillor need to play their  part and give encouragement to the process.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE CARRIAGE RESURFACED AT LAST

The Oscott Labour Team have fought long and hard on behalf of local residents to get Thornbridge Avenue resurfaced.
Having checked it out if looks like the wait was almost worth it..

A number of residents have informed me they are pleased with the work.
Now there are more roads that need the same.

THE MARY VALE PROJECT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP IS DOING WELL

Its always pleasing to pop into the Mary Vale Project  Elderly residents meeting to try and help anyone with a problem.
They always seem to be having a good time and have plenty to entertain them and good food to eat.

WE should never forget the needs of our elderly residents especially in these times of cut after cut in funding to so many organisations.

NEW LIGHT FOR FORGER WALK PATH

I am very pleased to see the new lamppost I with the help of the Labour Team and the Oscott Residents Association campaigned for has been installed on the path the  Forgers Walk tunnel off Bowman Road.
This should help residents using the tunnel and the lead up to it feel more secure at night when using it.
This should also help compliment the replacement lighting work I helped get carried out last year.

NEW ROOFS FOR BUNGALOWS IN BOWMAN ROAD

It is good to see the Housing department are getting on with having new roofs fitted to bungalows in Bowman Road.. I have been out checking on the works  progress.
All seems well at the moment.

MILNERS WALKER COURT BUS SHELTER REAL TIME BOARD SORTED OUT

I was pleased this week to be able to get the real time information board located at the Milners Walker Court Oscott School Lane bus shelter sorted out.

I liked to thank the passengers and residents who contacted me (I am also the bus Champion for the 997 route) about the issue. It is frustrating not to know when the bus is due. elderly residents living in the near by complex and their visitors are the ones most effected by this.

Having said that is frustrating when its late too.

GLENMEAD FIELDS GRASS HAS BEEN CUT AT LAST

 

 

 

 

I was pleased to see that after 2 weeks of badgering the Education department they have finally had a good half of the Glenmead playing fields grass cut and also the perimeter  as well.

This will mean there is ample room on the field for our main priority the children being able to play safely there off the street.

With the perimeter being cut there is also plenty of room for residents to take some walking exercise with or without their dogs.

Clearly this is not the ideal solution but we have had to stretch the funding we found as much as possible and this first cut as taken place.
Should the new government decide to treat Birmingham fairly and give back some of the funds it has stopped giving the cit,y perhaps more of the fields grass can be cut and more often.

RESIDENTS PULL TOGETHER IN THE FACE OF VANDLISM TO LOCAL TREES.

It was really pleasing to see local residents have pulled together to re plant vandalized trees on the Aldridge Recreation ground. This morning I was out with them replacing some of the trees.
The fact this had to be done is a disgrace as is the fact 2 trees have gone missing.

The Police have assured me they will be looking into this matters and a number of residents will be trying to keep an eye on the trees.

NEW SLOW DOWN SIGNS THANKS TO NPI VOLUNTEERS

Working with the Neighbourhood Police Initiative I have helped them find a small amount of funding from which they have paid out for some SLOW down signs which have been legally put on lampposts where speeding happens in some parts of the ward.
These sign are meant as a reminder and although some drivers will take not notice they will at least remind some to SLOW down. I would like to thank Brian and his NPI volunteers for their help in funding these signs. ( you would not believe the bureaucracy there is to have them put up on lampposts?)

ELECTED MAYOR- THE BEST MAN FOR OSCOTT

Tomorrow is make up your mind time when it comes to the election of the first ever Elected Mayor for the West Midlands.

I would urge Oscott residents to vote for the Labour candidate Sion Simmon.

He knows the Oscott area well having been an MP for the neighbouring Erdington area in the past.

He understands not only how big business works but far more importantly how to represent local people he cares about.

He does not belong to the party who have shown their dislike for Birmingham by cutting back their funding to the council in such a destructive way.

He would help fight the Central Governments huge reduction in funding to the police which has led to a halving of their number locally.

He also belongs to the party that believes in our National health service and which would rebuild and stop  the havoc wrought on it by the current government.

All in all for me it is not the amount of glossy leaflets put out it is the need to stop the attacks on Birmingham and Oscott that counts and of the candidates on offer Sion is the one to do it best.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING LEADS OSCOTT COUNCILLORS IN FIGHT AGAINST FLY POSTERS

Councillor Barbara Dring ( who is Chair of the Licensing Committee) with the full support of my self is leading a local campaign against the plague of fly posting.

Residents are fed up of this problem which is often an eye saw and sadly carried out by some companies who should know better.
Barbara for example is currently making efforts to get rid of some large banners situated just of Shady following complaints they are an eye from residents who over look them.

TREE VANDALS NEED TO BE FOUND AND PROSECUTED

2 of the vandalized trees have gone missing could they have been stolen to order?



A number of local residents have reacted with utter disgust at the wanton vandalism to trees planted recently in the Aldridge Recreation Ground. The trees were kindly donated by a voluntary group and under their supervision planted by local primary school children.

A number of trees have been attacked bent over, uprooted and even stolen. This mindless vandalism must be stopped.
I am fully aware due to the devastating cuts to their funding by the government local Police numbers have halved in the last few years but they really must get to grips with this and make every effort to find the culprits. Should those who have done this vandalism be found I have called for the prosecution. I would also hope magistrates consider getting much tougher with offenders when it comes to mindless vandalism.

If any resident witnessed any thing suspicion I would ask they they do not hold back but inform the Police.

WALK ABOUTS IN OSCOTT WARD IS THE NORM AND NOT JUST AT ELECTION TIME

 

 

 

Living in the ward is a great advantage for Councillor Barbara Dring and I as we are able to do regular out and about walk abouts picking up issues and trying to deal with them. We don't just do this during election time but as a team all year around to try and keep on top of the issues that come up.
Today for example we have reported  fly tipped rubbish found in a number of road. We have also reported a number of pot holes and road barriers which need putting back up.

 

 
 

DOUBLE CURBING INTRODUCED NEAR POTENTIAL ACCIDENT BLACK SPOT ON SHADY LANE

Councillor Barbara Dring with my support has managed to get double curbing installed on Shady Lane near the Kings Road Junction. This should help prevent cars paring on the pavement at that location making the exit from the near by rear   access ways very difficult vision wise

DELAYS IN GETTING GRASS CUTTING DONE ON THE GLENMEAD FIELD NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Sadly I have found that the Glenmead Road Playing field grass has still not been cut. despite my reminding the Education department a couple of weeks ago that the Oscott Councillors ( Councillor Barbara Dring, Tristan Chatfield and my self) had found a small amount of funding to get part of the field cut. This is to enable youngsters in the area somewhere to play off our busy streets and allow residents to take some out door exercise.

I have now been informed the delay has been due to the holiday period and staff ill health.
Clearly I intend chasing up this issues and getting at least part of the field cut As Soon As Possible.

I would also like to remind dog walkers please use the litter bins on the outside of the field to dispose of their dogs mess or take it home. ( I have had the missing bin replaced)