OLD OAKES MEDICLE CENTRE TO OPEN NEW SHADY LANE CENTRE OCTOBER 20TH

The Oaks Medical Practice is building a new surgery on Shady Lane which will open on October 20th 2014. This is a large, state of the art building which will be able to offer a huge array of medical services.

WHY NOT USE THE ALDRIDGE ROAD LANDFILL SITE TO SAVE SOME MONEY FOR THE COUNCIL TAX PAYER

The Aldridge Road Land fill site in Oscott has been for many years been fenced off from public use.

The reasons for this are that this site was an unusually deep one and the nature of the terrain means the volatile gases in it will take many years to dissipate.

Having said that its location next to the Queslett Nature Reserve makes it an ideal if secluded location to the benefit of the local wild life.

However the land is expensive to maintain for example currently fire breaks have to be made (hence the cutting back of some vegetation on the site) and to protect the public from itself the land has to have a security presence on it to keep intruders out in case they harm themselves.

In this day and age when the Birmingham City Council has to deal with horrendous cuts in its budget from the central government, money needs to be found to cover costs like the manning this site which is why I am keen to promote the idea of using the site for locating some solar panels on it.

The panels would need to be unobtrusive and not affect other neighbouring residents or any wildlife and they would have to be placed where they would be safe ( naturally a risk assessment would need to be undertaken). This should not be a problem. They are I am also told fairly low maintenance free which would mean little or no extra transport issues for the area.
The current security measures on the site would also help protect any new solar panels from potential vandalism at no extra cost.

The energy obtained from these panels could either be sold into the electric grid or used to help the council’s energy bills thus helping to save the Tax payer money.

Solar panels would help generate income for the Council and be ecologically friendly. I hope this idea will be given serious consideration and I will be supporting any investigation into the possibilities of this idea.

If you have a view on this please email me on Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

OSCOTT NEEDS A FULL TREE SURVEY REVIEW TO BE UNDERTAKEN

It is becoming clear that Amey will not be carrying out major further pruning work on trees in roads like Anstey Road this year.
I an now calling on them to undertake a comprehensive tree survey of the stock of street trees for next year.
There are far to many large forest type trees in Oscott that need to be well pruned or in some cases removed and replaced.
Due to constant requests  71 trees were replaced in Oscott last year which is one of the highest levels in the city but more replacements are needed.
What is now needed is a full survey of all the trees in the Oscott area taking into account their size and health. More tree pruning needs to take place.

 Sadly I have to accept It may be to short notice for this year but I am calling for this work to be undertaken next year.

A34 TRAFFIC DELAYS A34 MULTI AGENCE REVIEW IS NEEDED

Like many residents yesterdays delays on the A34 due to the flooding caused me a lot of delay and the lack of understanding residents had was not good enough. 
Drivers and bus users suffered serious delays with a knock on effect to the local economy. Most of the roads surrounding the Walsall road were badly effected including may in the Oscott ward.

I have been asked questions and have my own questions on what happened as well.

Q1 Why did it apparently take 8 hours between the police closing the underpass and Amey turning up?

Q2 Why were the Fire Service not called out to deal with the flooding, the gridlock around the area caused by this surely constituted a potential threat to life?

Q3 Where were the police and Amey traffic engineers to manually control the traffic and traffic signals to help ease congestion?

Q4 Why wasn't parking prohibited outside Greggs and the other shops on Birchfield Road, which as a consequence all traffic had to squeeze into one lane?

Q5 Re the faulty pump or failed power to the pump. There is a suggestion that it was the flood water that caused the power outage that meant the pump failed, has that not been considered? 

 
Q6 Why was there so little contact with the Perry Barr District office who did not appear to know what was happening until I asked them to find out.


Q7 Are the pumps controlled or monitored remotely or can they be.

Q8 Why were local Councillors in the area not kept informed of what was happening.


Q9 What lessons have been learnt from the incident and will they be implemented.



THANKS TO THOSE WHO PUT FORWARD QUESTIONS


When I get the answers I will be posting them and I am calling for a multi agency review into what happened.

FAULTY WATER REMOVAL PUMP CAUSES MAJOR TRAFFIC JAMS

If like me you were caught up in the closure of the Birchfield Road due to flooding last night or were made late to work or for an appointment today you are probably really annoyed today.
The road off the Walsall road were a major problem today and traffic built up on a number of roads in the Oscott area as a result.

However contrary to rumours the floods were not caused by blocked drains due to leaves or poor road sweeping.
The problem was I have been informed a faulty electric water removal pump.
Engineers are now doing all they can to rectify the problem

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS UPDATE

I went along with the Oscott Labour team to see how work was progressing re the new fencing at the Burford Road playing Fields.
The contractors have started removing old fencing and tell me they are on schedule.

When finsished there will be 2x 1.2 metre gaps left in the Burford Road boundary to allow pubic access.

Cabins have been put on site for the duration of the work but fencing has been put around them to help stop them attracting anti social behaviour.
I have contacted the Police on the issues and they are keeping an eye on the site.

Thank you to all those residents who are helping to keep me informed on the matter

FIGHTING FOR VILLIAGE GREEN STATUS IN OSCOTT

The 3 Oscott Councillors have for many years been fighting to safe guard the Burford Road Playing Fields and the Glenmead Road Playing Fields. We have been battling to improve fencing, grass cutting, the use by football teams and for local residents to be able to use the site for exercise and recreation.
They are also very useful in keeping children off the streets giving them somewhere safe to burn off excessive energy and to excise especially during the holiday periods.

I remember well many years ago leading the fight with local residents to get the Council to open gaps in the fencing on these sites to allow for the community to use and both sites and they have been well used by many since.

However now the 3 Oscott Councillors are fighting to take the situation to the next level and are battling to get Village green status for these sites. It will be a battle,  but if we succeed these sites will be safe for many generations to come.

COOKSEY LANE PAVEMENT REPAIRS UPDATE

Amey have confirmed to me that work to start upgrading the Cooksey Lane pavements is expected to start in November.
The work on this roads pavements was agreed following a petition and intensive protest by local residents, the work has  been brought forward nearly 5 years.
I now understand there are some issues that need resolving during the work undertaken in this road and the process may take some time to complete.

A FURTHER BOOTHS LANE DEVELOPEMENT UPDATE - HOURS OF WORK TO BE RE ENFORCED

 Following concerns expressed to me by residents living in Sandy Lane, regarding the Booths Lane developement I have spoken with representatives from the developer and this is the latest information.

“Taylor Wimpey has reinforced the working hours with its contractors by telephone and email today, to ensure they are working as per the approved construction management plans. For your reference the approved construction management plan states working times are from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to

1pm on Saturday. No working shall take place on Sunday or Bank Holidays.

They have had to temporarily close the vehicular access to the site from Booths Lane in order to install new drainage and reconstruct the road as per the approved planning layout. They have now applied for and received permission from Birmingham City Council for a temporary permit to access the development off Sandy Lane further down from the main junction whilst this work is carried out. They sincerely apologise if this was not communicated to the local residents.

The works to this section of road will be completed by 28th October with  They will still maintain the dropped crossing access from Sandy Lane for access to our Temporary Sales outlet, but access will be for visiting cars only.”

I have asked that they do more to communicate with local residents to help resolve issues as quickly as possible. 

If your have any concerns please email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY SESSION 11TH OCTOBER

The next Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve activity session will take place on Saturday 11th October (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..

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

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS ON TWITTER

Keith Linnecor

@KeithLinnecor

 A number of Oscott residents seem to know I am on Twitter but my fellow Oscott Ward Councillors are to.

Barbara Dring

@BarbaraDring

 

Tristan Chatfield

@TristanJFC

 

However if you wish to pass on any concerns or views regarding Oscott to me it is still best to use my email address keith.Linnecor@birminghham.gov.uk

 

 

OSCOTT LIBRARY OPENING HOURS 27TH OCT ON

 The library opening hour for the Oscott Libraries

From week commencing 27^th October when the saving proposal to close for one day is implemented due to cuts made to District and BCC Council funding by Central Government.

Mon      9.30am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm

Tue        10.30am – 1pm, 2pm – 6pm LATE CLOSURE

Wed       CLOSED

Thurs     CLOSED

Fri           9.30am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm

Sat          10am – 1pm, 2pm -5pm

Perry Common Library:

Mon      9.00am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm

Tue        CLOSED

Wed      CLOSED

Thurs     10am – 1pm, 2pm – 6pm LATE CLOSURE

Fri           9.00am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm

Sat          10am – 1pm, 2pm -5pm

TAYLOR WIMPEY BOOTHS LANE WORKING PARTY'S FIRST MEETING UPDATE

Along with Oscott Residents Association members and local residents I met with a senior representative from Taylor Wimpey as part of a working party today.
Clearly there are many issues which are going to be difficult to resolve and there are no easy options when it comes to developing such a large site and keeping local resident happy.

Keeping pedestrian access is one of the things that all agreed needs to be done and this should be in place shortly. Children especially should benefit by the reopening of part of the road to allow them not to have to detour around towards the nature reserve. when coming and going to school.

Re opening the road was discussed but due to the need for much of the road to be taken up to allow contaminated soil to be taken away there will be problems re opening this road for some time.
It should be noted Persimmons are ready to reopen their section as promised but Taylor Wimpey cannot at the moment so we are back to square one.
Many options were put forward by all parties as to how the reopening of the road could be speed ed up but there are simply no easy options, however all those idea's put forward are to be considered by Taylor Wimpey who are as keen as anyone to reopen the road. It it should always be remembered Taylor Wimpey own the road and are not obliged to open it until they see fit or it is safe to do so, but they do fully understand the frustration felt by a majority of local residents over the matter of the closed road.
. They have informed us they will do their best to try and work with local residents in the way they phase in parts of their operation on the site and its effect on the road and residents and myself will work to ensure they do so.


In the long term the Council will take over the new road adopt it and bring it up to an acceptable level, however the old road will become a cycle track and pedestrian way as we all know.

The working party has made a good start and I hope this continues we will all do what we can to have the road re opened as soon as possible.
If you have any concerns you would like me to put forward on your behalf please
email me
Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.
Or leave a message for me on 303 2039

You can contact the Oscott Residents association by emailing
Robert Wild (oscottresassoc@gmail.com)

DON'T FORGET I DO ALSO USE TWITTER TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS AND OTHER LOCAL ISSUES FROM TIME TO TIME. I DO WHAT I CAN TO KEEP IN TOUCH