GILLIAN QUINN R.I.P

I have been saddened to learn of the sudden death of Gillian Quinn at the weekend at the age of 61. 

Gillian who was disabled herself, experience and views regarding disabilities were a great help to her husband Nigel who is a well-known community activist.

Gillian will be sadly missed by many including members of the Oscott Disabilities Group and the Oscott Elderly residents group.

I would like to offer Nigel and his family my deepest sympathy.

MORE ROADS IN OSCOTT NEED THEIR CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING

There are a number of roads in Oscott which need attention from Amey ( the Contractor given a 25 year contract to upgrade our roads in Birmingham by the previous Council Administration.

Here are just some of those which I have complained about over the last year or so, regarding the state of their carriage ways.

·         Aldridge Road - Booths Lane To College Road

·         College Road
     Cooksey Lane

·         Courtenay Road

·         Kingstanding Road - Start Of Dual way To Roundabout At Kings Rd

·         Kingstanding Road generally.

·         Lilac Avenue - Aldridge Road To Greenholm Road

·         Warren Hill Road - 

·         Warren Road -

·          

I     I will naturally be requesting the replacement of any anti skid or safety measures on these roads when the resurfacing is being done.. 

There are a number of others as well and I am pleased to see Shady Lane is having work done on it to repair the carriageway after I have complained about it for so long. I expect news about some other roads shortly. I hope there will be some good news. Where it is not the case I will keep trying

If you have a concern about the carriage way on your road let me know and I will ask Amey to inspect it.

DONT FORGET I AM ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/KeithLinnecor

Although I seldom use Face Book I try to keep myself and residents up todate information wise by using Twitter https://twitter.com/KeithLinnecor  as well as this blog.
However as you probably realise the things I post on this blog and on twitter only represent a small part of the work I do as a Birmingham City Councillor, member of the ITA and as a Local Councillor for Oscott.
If there are any issues you feel I should know about or if I can help you in any way please Email me Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov .uk.

I never promise to resolve all the concerns I hear about but I am willing to try and help if I can. 



To find out about a issue or road don't forget the search function top left

SHADY LANE ROAD CLOSURE DUE TO ROAD REPAIRS ANNOUNCED 13TH SEPTEMBER

What’s Happening?

Amey will be resurfacing Shady Lane from Aldridge Road to Oscott School Lane.

This work is part of a 5 year upgrade of Birmingham’s highways network, in which they will be resurfacing around 45% of the roads in the city. For the very first time, every road in the city has been visually inspected to understand its condition and a prioritised programme of work has been developed to improve it. You can view the programme of works online - www.birmingham.gov.uk/highways-works-programme.

When Will This Happen?

The expected start date is During the week ending 13^th September 2013. The work will last for up to 5 nights . They will be working weekdays at night between 7.00pm and 6.00am hours. They have to work on this road at night because it would cause congestion or access problems if they closed the road during the day. Amey will endeavour to keep noise to a minimum but inevitably their work will cause some disruption. Please accept their sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

PLEASE CONSULT THE FREE STANDING YELLOW SIGNS THAT ARE LOCATED AT EITHER END OF SHADY, FOR SPECIFIC START DATES

Access To Your Property

Vehicles are unable to drive over hot material. Whilst surfacing operations are being carried out the section of road affected by each phase will be entirely closed to ALL traffic. If you require access for medical/personal reasons, could you please contact 0121 303 6644 (option 2), to discuss how access can be arranged. Pedestrian access will be maintained as well as access for emergency vehicles. The road closures are in place for your safety as well as the safety of Amey staff, The will appreciate your patience and understanding during the works.

Traffic Information

Shady Lane will be subject to a road closure . Width and speed restrictions will be in force during each road closure.

For details of bus service diversions please see:

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/information/temporary-diversions/,

visit your local Travel Shop or call 0121 254 7272

Parking

In order for Amey to carry out these works, they must ask you to ensure that vehicles are not parked on the road during these hours. Any cars left on the road will be removed by the City Council Parking Enforcement Team which could include a cost to the owner. Amey  will help you with access where possible if you contact them prior to the works on 0121 303 6644 (option 2).

Further Information

If you require further information please telephone 0121 303 6644. Amey apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and would like to assure you that they will do the work with as little disruption as possible as they improve your local environment. Thank you for your patience whilst they get on with the work to improve the carriage way.

I have been calling on Amey for some time to urgently carry out this work on behalf of residents and welcome the work being carried out at last. I will continue to monitor the progress of this work.

                                                                         

OSCOTT WARD HAS NOT UNDERSPENT ITS COMMUNITY CHEST FUNDS

 

I noticed a letter from an Oscott resident in the Great Barr Observer last week claiming Councillors had an "underspend on the Community Chest in this area..
Needless to same this is not the case. All Oscott Community Chest over the last 2 years has been accounted for.
By the nature of some of the projects which are run some monies are rolled over from one year to the next to help continuity, this is clearly common sense.
Evidence for the correct position of the Oscott Wards accounts can be found in Council reports which are available to those who wish to see them.

However the best way to find out how Oscott,s Community Chest is allotted is to come along to a Oscott Ward Committee meeting (Chaired by Barbara Dring) every couple of months. At these meetings questions can be asked of officers and Councillors.
Get involved and keep in touch with what is going on in the area. (Mind you reading this blog helps to)


For more posts about how the Oscott Community Chest  was spent this year use the search facility top left and type in Community Chest

MORE CYCLING PROVISION IS NEEDED FOR OSCOTT

I was pleased to note the Government have accepted a bid for funding to improve cycling in Birmingham.
I have already for some time  been making approaches to the Transportation department regarding this issue on behalf of the Oscott Ward.
I have asked that cycling lanes in suitable locations be considered for this area and that cycle training for local schools be given a boost. It is never to early to learn about Cycling safely and how to take care of a bike.


For more of my posts on this subject please use the search function top left

GREEN BAG WASTE HAS BEEN MISSED AGAIN

Sadly once again Green bags have not been collected from roads like Delhurst Road.
I am chasing up the missed collections with the salvage department who are sending out senior officers to investigate and hope things will be sorted out soon.
Lets hope if and when the £35 charge for a green waste collection comes into place these missed collections become a thing of the past.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY SAT 24TH AUGUST

There will be a Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve Activity day on Saturday 24th August.

The meeting place will be Ashworth Road ( please do not obstruct residents dropped curbs) the time will be 11.30am.

It will be a roll up your sleeves and help with some pruning and litter picking.
Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by an appropriate adult.
Please come prepared for the weather.
The FOQNR look after the reserve and the local area and care about the local wildlife and environment in a practical way.
For further details Em Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

YOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MATTERS EVENT ST PAULS CHURCH WALSALL 14 AUGUST

There will be a Your Public Transport Matters event at Saint Paul's Church (next to to the bus station in Walsall) on August 14th,
This is a chance for those who use Public Transport to have their say about services.
There will be Bus company operatives there as well as Centro staff and ITA Councillors.
Free bus time tables and other goodies are also available. Come and have your say A
and make the most of the opportunity.

CLEARANCE WORK BEGINS ON DISUSED LAND CORNER WARREN ROAD, HAWTHORN ROAD

At long last after a number of years the land at the corner of Hawthorn Road and Warren Road is being cleared.
This work is being part funded by the Oscott Community Chest* to help improve the environment and appearance of this land. It should also help with issues of security as the Elim Church will be looking after the land.
Elim church will be using the land for parking and this in turn will help free off car spaces in the area for shoppers and traders alike.
I am pleased to have been able to put the various parties together to resolve the issue of this land and its use and hope parking in the area will be a lot better.


Note
The Oscott Community Chest funds are awarded to groups and organisations by the Oscott Ward Committee (the 3 Oscott Councillors) following discussions with the Oscott Warr Advisory Board (made up of Local Community leaders, Voluntary groups, the Police and so on)
This year we were given 50K to distribute. Some funding from last year was rolled over as part of existing agreements to help continue good projects in the Oscott area.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE CHILDRENS SUMMER WRITING COMPETITION

The FOQNR are holding a summer letter writing competition for youngsters between the age or 7 and 13.

Those wanting to enter the competition will be asked to write a letter of no more than 250 words about the Queslett Nature Reserve. To make it more interesting however within the letter the word Walrus must be used.

The letter may be in the form of a story about the reserve or just about the reserve itself.

There will be a first prize of a £20 ASDA Store gift voucher and the runner up will receive a £5 ASDA Store Gift Voucher

The closing date for this competition will be September 16^th 2013

Entries should be sent to

FOQNR

C/o Mr Ken Brown, Perry District Office, Tamebridge House

Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2TZ

OR EMAIL IT TO Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

The Queslett Nature Reserve is located next to the QUESLETT ASDA superstore off Old Horns Crescent

TRANSPORT ENGINEERS TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT HAWTHORN ROAD TRAFFIC LIGHTS

 I spent over an hour today meeting with Traffic light Engineers and local residents to discuss the problems caused by the Hawthorn Road traffic lights.
Thanks to a number of resident helping to point out issues the engineers have gone away to look at a number of issues and while there are no promises being made they are actively looking to come up with some solutions to try and sort out problems.

MILES PET SHOP HAWTHORN ROAD TO CLOSE

I was sad to learn that Miles Pet shop on the Hawthorn Road is to close
 Mr Chris Miles is the last of his family to own the shop and he has  decided to retire.
Like most people in this area I have used the shop in the past and will remember it for its pets and good service.
Lets hope the shop is soon put back into good use by a new owner.

KILL YOUR SPEED SIGNS FOR KINGSTANDING ROAD

A number of Kill your Speed Signs have now been put up near the pedestrian crossing on Kingstanding Road near Elmbridge Road.
 Although more needs to be done at least drivers will be warned to slow down.
I will still be asking for more action but welcome the new signs.

CAMPAIGN FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS FOR THE ALDRIDGE ROAD GREENHOLM ROAD IS STILL ON

Just to confirm despite the welcome news that the Aldridge Road is to to have 2 Speed Activated Signs, My long term battle to get a traffic light system put on the Aldridge Road at the Greenholm / Thornbridge Road junction goes on. I am continuing to battle the cause with the Transportation department.
In my view despite the cost implications this is the best possible solution to the problems by this junction.

DELAYS IN CLINICAL WASTE COLLECTIONS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

For some weeks now there have been issues for those relying on having their clinical waste (needles and so on) collected by the Council for safe disposal, have had delays in collection.
 In some cases however collections of their orange bags missed for weeks on end. Clearly this is unacceptable.
I have resolved a number of individual cases and made the powers at be aware of the issue.
 I have now been assured that the matter is under review and changes are being made to improve the situation.

WHY NOT GET AN ALLOTMENT

Why not get an allotment and grow your own food and flowers and help the environment while you are doing so.
Birmingham has the largest provision of allotments of any Local Authority in the UK with 115 sites and nearly 7,000 plots. Allotment sites are located throughout the city and range in size and facilities Over 80% of our allotment sites are managed through allotment associations. The Birmingham and District Allotments Council website has a wealth of information.

Allotment gardening is very popular and demand for plots is at its highest for a number of years. There are a lot of new tenants these days particularly women and younger people in the 20-35 age group and there is a new sense of energy and vitality out there on the plots.

Well used allotments can also encourage wild life and help our environment.

The Oscott Ward Committee have given small grants to help local allotments in the past and welcome the efforts made by those who care for them.

 If you have any queries, please contact the Allotments Team on:

Telephone: 0121 303 3038
Email: allotments@birmingham.gov.uk

SPEEDING ON THE LOWER SECTION OF KINGSTANDING ROAD IS CAUSING CONCERN

There are still problems with speeding on the Kingstanding Road (Hawhorn Road to College Road).
Many driver are breaking the 30mph speed limit by some distance.
The Police with the aid of the Oscott Community Speed Watch Team have worked there to try and get motorists to slow down and there is a speed indicator sign in place.
I have also passed on my concerns about the safety of those using the Zebra crossing near Elmbridge Road.
I am working with the Police to put pressure on the Transportation department to do more to try and get motorists to slow down when using this road.