LONG DELAYS FOR COMMUTERS IN NORTH BIRMINGHAM

 A lot of delays for commuters  in north Birmingham including Oscott  the problems are partly due to the motorway as a lot of people are using Queslett Road to get to the Scott Arms & then onto the M6 which is causing problems with the for example the 997 bus service as traffic is building up on Aldridge Road towards Shady Lane & also on re Beacon Road. The poor weather conditions are clearly compounding the matter as are major development works in other parts of the city.

These problems as you may expect are manly at morning and evening peak times. I do not know what the answer is but travellers will need to allow a lot more time for their journeys at the moment.

As you may expect I am asking the Highways department to do what they can to resolve the problems.

THE ELIM CHURCH FOOD BANK OPERATES ALL YEAR AROUND

The Christmas and New Year season of good will has long gone but there are still Oscott residents out there who need all the help they can get.

It is easy to forget some of our neighbours for no fault of their own have fallen on hard times, despite the fact we are now being led to believe all is now wonderful and coming up rosy.

The Elim Church Food Bank is there all year round for those in need who have been referred by Doctors ,social workers and so on.

If you want to help-
Become a Food Bank depositor - add an item from The Food Bank shopping list – eg. a tin of tuna, a packet of pasta, cup-a-soups, jam etc – when you go shopping. Then deposit it in the local Food Bank collection point at: Elim Church Kingstanding, Warren Road, B44 8QD
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12noon – 2.00pm

YOU MAY FIND YOU NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE DIFFERENTLY?

 The way you register to vote may change. you will be sent a letter informing you of the process but I have found the webb site below useful in explaining the process.
If you or a friend or relative are unclear about any changes in registration try the below site it may help

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/electoral-roll-changes

ALL VOTES ARE IMPORTANT IF IN DOUBT TRY THE ABOVE

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE PATHS NAMED

On behalf of the FOQNR Committee I would like to thank all those who sent in suggestions re naming some of the paths in the Queslett Nature Reserve (see post 22nd May).

You will soon find the names chosen which include.
Queslett Way
 ASDA way
Ashworth way
 and Booths Farm way , 
 appearing in the reserve soon.

Naming the paths will not only help those using the reserve but also the emergency services when it comes to finding someone in trouble in the reserve.
THERE ARE ALSO NEW SIGN POSTS INSIDE THE RESERVE.


                                                                                                         

THE NEW NAMES CAN BE SEEN ON THE MAP ON THE NOTICE BOARD IN THE RESERVE SOON.

There is still time to consider naming some of the smaller paths in the reserve. Any one interested please email me with your suggestions.
Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.
Any suggestions will be considered by the FOQNR committee and will like those above will be passed to the Local Parks department.

OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY 21ST JAN 7PM

At this meeting there will be a chance for Oscott residents to meet Oscott Councillors, Community Group Leaders and agencies like the Police. (Ward Advisory Board and Oscott Police Tasking Group members)
It is a chance to find out what is happening locally and to discuss important  local issues, how the Oscott Community Chest is being spent for example

For this meeting I have asked the Chair ( Councillor Barbara Dring) to invite officers responsible for the way trees are being pruned in the Oscott area.

All Oscott residents are welcome and the Chair will insure everyone  and not just a few get a chance to have a say this is not the case in some area's  I understand?





The meeting will take place at the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road
Parking is available at the rear of the building

NEW GRIT BIN FOR THE QUESLETT ROAD NOVA COURT (BOOTHS LANE) JUNCTION

Given recent problems residents in the Booths Lane Bowman Road area have had during the icy conditions getting onto the Queslett Road at the Nova Court Juntion, I am pleased that the Transportation department have agreed to my request put a new grit bin there.
This is currently the only way residents from Booths Lane Bowman Road and so on can get off their estate due to the temporary closure of part of the Booths Lane private road due to redevelopment.

Ice on the slope leading to the Queslett Road makes it very difficult to drive onto the Queslett road.

The residents in this area are already suffering enough problems due to the Taylor Wimpey development but hopefully the placing of a new grit bin at this junction will be some help.

GRIT BIN PATROL OSCOTT WARD

I have been out and about again checking grin bins in Oscott to ensure they have enough grit in them. Most seem fine at the moment but if you know of an empty grit bin let me know and I will chase Amey to try and get it topped up.

Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Tel 303 2039 (messages)

MISSING LITTER BINS IN OSCOTT

There are a number of litter bins in the Oscott area which have gone missing and need replacing. I have reported a number of locations where they have disappeared but would welcome residents letting me know if they are aware of any litter bins which have disappeared.
Given the complaints I sometimes receive about overflowing bins they must be well used! especially those near local schools.
On a brighter note with the help of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve I have been able to persuade the department to introduce more bins more in or near the Queslett Nature Reserve.

GROT SPOT VOLUTEERS IN ACTION IN OSCOTT

The Oscott Grot spot clean up squad was out yesterday. The team of volunteers try and clean up small areas of land which are covered with letter, cans bottles and so on. I was pleased to join in with their efforts yesterday.
The volunteers are part of the Friends of the Queslett nature Reserve who do such a good job trying to look after the reserve.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY SESSION SAT 24TH JAN

The next Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve activity session will take place on Saturday 24TH January (weather permitting) meeting at the Ashworth Road entrance. AT 11AM.
(Please do not obstruct neighbours drives)

This will be another opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get on with some light pruning/maintenance work and litter picking..


Pruning work needs to be carried out earlier in the year to avoid nesting birds.

Please come suitably attired for the weather. Children are welcome under the strict supervision of an appropriate adult.


The FQNR would like to thank the Ranger service for all its help and advice. 

For further information please email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

OVER FLOWING STREET RE CYCLING BANKS

Over the holiday period recycling banks like that located on the Corner of Old Oscott Hill and Oscott School Lane have been well used by Oscott residents. Sadly in some cases so much so that they are over flowing. With this in mind I have been in touch with the Council department responsible asking them to take action to clear and empty the offending sights.

If you have a concern regarding this matter please email me
 Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

RE SIGHTING ACCESS WAY GATES TO STOP FLY TIPPING IN DUNEDIN ROAD

Along with Councillors Barbara Dring and Tristan Chatfield I have managed to find funding to help residents re locate their rear access way gates to prevent fly tipping.

The rear access way to the rear of Dunedin Road and Kings Road (near the junction of the 2 roads on Shady Lane) due to the position of gates already erected there which was funded by local residents, has for some year attracted anti social fly tipping which has caused the council considerable problems with over spill onto public pavements.
With the re sighting of the gates near the road the problem of fly tipping should be resolved. Action is likely withing the next month or so.

ROADS IN OSCOTT WITH CONCRETE CARRIAGE WAYS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

Those road in Oscott which have not had their carriage ways resurfaced should be.
Altough a number have now been resurfaced I have not forgotten those which have not been and will continue to try and gets road like Southgate Road and Felstone (amongst others) resurfaced.
I am in correspondence with Amey regarding the matter and will not the subject drop,

STREET LIGHTING UPGRADE FOR OSCOTT STREETS

Following representations about the quality of the street lighting in some streets in Oscott from your Oscott Councillors, Tristan Chatfield, Barbara Dring and myself,  Amey have indicated the following roads will be upgraded this year. There will be further street lighting upgrading works for other roads next year as well.

Ashgrove Road
Priestfield close * See photo
Burford Road
Oundle Road
Warren Road
Harbeck Avenue
Fairford Road
Idbury Road
Westward Close
Brylan Croft
Gaily Croft
Epwell Grove
Churchdale Road
Wrekin Road.

There will be more next year.

OSCOTT WARD COMMITTEE 21ST JAN ALL OSCOTT RESIDENTS WELCOME TO HAVE A SAY

At this meeting there will be a chance for Oscott residents to meet Oscott Councillors, Community Group Leaders and agencies like the Police. (Ward Advisory Board and Oscott Police Tasking Group members)
It is a chance to find out what is happening locally and to discuss important  local issues.

For example this time I have asked the Chair ( Councillor Barbara Dring) to invite officers responsible for the way trees are being pruned in the Oscott area.

All Oscott residents are welcome and the Chair will insure everyone  and not just a few get a chance to have a say this is not the case in some area's  I understand?

Parking is available at the rear of the building

MY NEXT COUNCILLORS SURGERY JAN 27TH

My next Councillors surgery will be on Tuesday 27th January. The time will be 9.30am and the Venue is the 610 Community Centre.
If you would like to contact me by phone you can leave a message on 303 2039 alternatively you can email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

The work the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve do helps Birmingham to keep its worldwide Biophilic reputation.

Volunteers either in groups or with permission on their own work on the reserve to keep it litter free and to keep the expending bushes back from paths.

The Queslett Nature Reserve is a shinning example of how this city and its residents care about open green spaces and the wild life on them

As the Chair of the FQNR I am proud to be associated with these volunteers and wish them all a Happy New Year.  

SEASONS GREETING TO ALL

Happy Christmas and New Year To all Oscott residents and reader of my blog.

Lets all hope the next year brings an end to all this Austerity they keep telling us about.

THE HUT POLLING STATION BOOTHS LANE SET TO RETURN

Following my handing in a petition on behalf of local residents (organised by the Oscott Residents Association and the Oscott Elderly Residents group) earlier this year calling for the mobile polling station to be returned to Booths Lane for the Local and general election next year the Election Commission have decided to return the Polling station.
This means for the 2015 Local and General Elections residents in the Booths Lane/ Bowman Road area will not have to traipse around to the Beeches Baptist church to vote.
Both my ward colleagues Councillor Barbara Dring and Councillor Tristan Chatfield also sent in representation asking for the return of this polling station which was last used a few years ago.
It has however been made clear that it must be removed ASAP after the election.

I am please that this decision has been made as I am only to aware due to the new development on Booths Lane the private road has had to remain closed longer than expected which means it would have been difficult for many to go to a polling station to vote.

SADLY THE ELIM CHIRCH FOOD BANK IS DOING WELL?

I attended the Elim Church Food bank Christmas dinner last night and spoke to a number of users of the food bank service.
Those who receive help from the food bank are referred from agencies and local doctors and are in need of some additional help during these hard times when we are feeling the effects of so called austerity policies which need to end. No one wants to use the service and most would like the service not to be needed but with such difficult time it is.

At the dinner it was nice to see young children able to enjoy a good meal and the Christmas spirit.
It is just sad to think in 2014 we need to have food banks.

The volunteers who helped out yesterday many all day did a great job and can be proud of themselves





If you want to help-
Become a Food Bank depositor - add an item from The Food Bank shopping list – eg. a tin of tuna, a packet of pasta, cup-a-soups, jam etc – when you go shopping. Then deposit it in the local Food Bank collection point at: Elim Church Kingstanding, Warren Road, B44 8QD
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12noon – 2.00pm