YOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT MATTERS EVENT SAT 5TH APRIL AT SNOW HILL STATION

There will be a Your Public Transport Matters event outside Snow hill Station on Saturday 5th April 10am to 12noon.
This is an ideal opportunity for those with an interest in Public Transport or for those simply wanting to let off stream to have their say.
Centro officers, Nx Representatives and Centro Councillors will be on hand to listen to your views. Local bus champions and other volunteers will be their to.
Why not come along pick up a free bus time table and see what is going on.

HAWTHORN ROAD TRADERS ASSOCIATION ARE PLANNING A NEW CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

 Just some of those queueing to get into the Christmas spectacular last year.




At a meeting of the Hawthorn Traders Association last night it was decided that there should be another Hawthorn Road Christmas spectacular this year.
Funding will be sort again from the Oscott and Kingstanding Community chests for example 
If successful with these bids it is planned like last year to put funding towards a Christmas spectacular for the local community rather than spending the money of Christmas lights which are so expensive.

Last years event held at the Elim church ( who's volunteers did a great job organising the event as well as fund raising for it) was truly special. Hundreds of local residents and their children  Queued to get in to see the entertainment ,including Father Christmas and his Elves.
For many of the poorer families in the area this was a real chance to enjoy the Christmas spirit and forget the bleak times they are facing.

Bids for funding from the Oscott Community Chest should be made by Monday 31st March. Ring 675 2349 for details.

THERE MAY BE DELAYS ON THE 997 or 28 ROUTE (ALDRIDGE ROAD.)

Over the next few days work will carry on regarding the re surface work on the Aldridge Road. This work is leading to some delay and re routing in the evenings. With this in mind allow your self a little more time  when using the Aldridge Road either on the 997/ 28 bus or by car.

99.7% OF WHEELIE BINS TO BE MADE IN UK

I have been asked by a few Oscott residents today where the Wheelie bins they are going to receive will be made.
I have been informed that 99.7% are to be made in this country in Doncaster or Hull.

Clearly this is good news for British jobs it is a shame however a local company could not be found who would have been able to make them in the numbers needed..

I understand some local traders may be interested in setting up Wheelie bin cleaning companies I wish them well if they do.

It has to be agreed a lot of residents do not like the idea of having a wheelie bin and they will take some time to get use to when they arrive, but everyone needs to be wary of those feeding off residents unease by trying to miss lead them.

BURFORD ROAD PLAYING FIELDS UPDATE

As many of you will know a couple of years ago I was alerted to the fact a leaflet was going around saying the Burford Road Playing Field was to have a new fence. It also indicated to some residents that fencing was going to be moved from one area of the field to another which concerned a number of them.
On behalf of local residents I called a site meeting with them and heard from Council officers there was no such proposals and no funding for the project was known about. The news came as a shock to them as a result.

At the meeting residents put forward proposals to Council officers present and it was agreed to try and find new funding for the Project but it would not be easy.

 Following many months of effort by my colleague Councillor Barara Dring in particular new funding was found to carry out the erection of new fencing on the Burford Road and Melverley  Grove boundary.
However  you 3 Oscott Councillors have had fight to continue to keep this funding (we have succeeded) and following a number of site meetings over the last 12 months with us, the department  agreed plans which have been drawn up.

The details of the specification for the fencing works and the ground works had to be assessed and costed along with a health and safety assessment of the site before the report could be compiled and circulated. 

The planning application is now going for approval and work is expected to start during the summer months, myself and colleagues Councillor Barbara Dring Councillor Tristan Chatfield will endeavour to do all we can to progress the scheme as quickly as possible. 

It is always best to get in touch with either Councillor Barbara Dring, Councillor Tristan Chatfield or myself if you receive a leaflet as we can ensure the contents are investigated and are correct. We cannot however answer for the contents and any promises being made by others 

RING AND RIDE UPDATE FOR OSCOTT RESIDENTS

 At a meeting of Centro yesterday it was decided to improve a little, the Ring and ride cuts proposals.

The Ring and Ride service used by about 60,000 people in the West Midlands has been saved from the axe.

It was feared the door-to-door minibus service might be scrapped due to government cuts.

However Centro, which funds Ring and Ride, said it would make £8.5m available next year.

The charity said it was "pleased" with the money but would not be able to continue Sunday services under the new funding arrangement. ( The last Sunday service will be 31st March 2014.) There will be no service on Christmas day or bank holiday Mondays.

Operating hours will be reduced, with buses running from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday.(it had be proposed to finish at 20:00)  Fares will also rise from 60p to £1.

Centro, which funds Ring and Ride has had to cut staffing costs to protect front-line services.

It has been decided to keep half-price bus fares for children and free tram and train travel for eligible people, despite previously warning they could also be cut partly sadly by further cutting staff jobs.

There will be one major improvement in my view as will be improved so that 24 hours notice rather than the old 48 hours notice will now be the order of the day. This should also help reduce cancellation.

I would like to thank all those Oscott residents who have contacted me about Ring in Ride. I am aware these improvements will mean a lot to many of them.

Ring and Ride It is funded by Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Dudley Borough Council, Sandwell Borough Council, Solihull Borough Council, Walsall Borough Council and Wolverhampton. All these districts are subject to cuts in funding by the government.

NO FEWER GRIT BINS IN OSCOTT

The silly season is back with us ( IT MUST BE ELECTION TIME?) and a number of clams are being made by some who are out of touch with what is happening in the area. For example claims that there were fewer grit bins in Oscott over the winter.
As you know if you read this blog I have been monitoring grit levels in the grit bins over the winter as usual and I have not noticed any fewer grit bins and due to the fairly mild winter the level of grit bins them has remained good.
I have checked with the Perry Barr District Engineers and they are looking to put some extra bins in next year if funding allows. This will be difficult because as we all know Council funding from Central Government has been severely cut back.

FRIENDS OF QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE ACTIVITY DAY WENT WELL

                            

There was another good turn out of the members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve on Saturday. (including some children)
Paths were pruned back and teams of litter pickers were in action.
 
                                                                          

 Has the reserve ever looked tidier and free of litter?.
In evidence were Buzzards and Herons as well as a number of other birds.
There was also time for rangers to give a training session on the subjected of basic reserve and woodland management techniques.
Well done to all those involved.

MARY VALE PROJECT LUNCH CLUB FOR OLDER RESIDENTS

SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE
Weekly Tuesday Lunch Club for the elderly
Oscott older residents are more than welcome.and I know from my visits there is always a lively atmosphere

12.30pm to 2.30pm
The Maryvale project's main core service is a lunch club for older people who welcome the opportunity to meet together. Although most are pension age, some younger people also attend.
 They enjoy getting together to have a good chat, companionship, exchange ideas and share expertise in any hobbies that they might have.
Their lunch club has different entertainment put on each week from music to clothes sales to light exercise.
This only costs £2.00 with food included.
Transport available
Volunteers are also needed
For further details

Email: info@maryvalecommunityproject.org.uk

Phone: 0121 382 3590 

  MARYVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE 

OLD OSCOTT HILL 

BIRMINGHAM 

B44 9SP

HELP OUT AT THE FRIENDS OF QUESLETT ACTIVITY DAY 22nd MARCH

 

 For those with a real interest in wild life and the environment

The next Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve Activity day (litter picking and pruning) will take place on Saturday 22 March at 11am. The meeting place will be the Ashworth Road entrance. (Please take care not to obstruct local residents dropped curbs)

There will be a park ranger on site to help out and give advice tools and bags will be available.

Children are welcome but must be under the supervision of an appropriate adult at all times.

Please come prepared for the weather and where stout shoes. You also need to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get on with it. (But know your limitations)

If you would like any further information please Email KeithLinnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.

 Members of the public are welcome to join us..

The FOQNR are dedicated volunteers who care about the wild life and environments not only in the reserve and in the Aldridge Recreation Ground but also in other local open spaces in the Oscott area.

With the ever increasing pressure on open spaces in Birmingham for the building of much needed new homes it is even more important than ever that those who really care about our wildlife get stuck in and help.




PLEASE BE AWARE IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN THE MEETING MAY HAVE TO BE CALLED OFF

HELP SAVE GOOD HOPE MEETING 3RD APRIL

Many Oscott residents use Good Hope Hospital and you are warmly invited to a public meeting on Thursday April 3rd at the Fellowship Hall South Parade Sutton Coldfield start time 7pm.

The meeting has been organised by the Campaign Group "Save Good Hope Local Services.

There will be speakers in attendance and there will be refreshments available.
For further details please ring   075 05  623  665

Help support your local hospital

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO USE RECYLING CENTRES LIKE HOLFORD DRIVE

A number of Oscott residents have now contacted me asking when is the best ( less busy time) to use the Holford Drive Recycling Centre.
I hope the information below helps.

Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) – Peak use times

As the summer nears and the weather improves, Birmingham residents are being reminded of the options available when it comes to disposing of garden waste.

Due to central government funding cuts, the city council has introduced a green recycling, chargeable service for 2014, which started in February 2014.

The annual subscription for is £35 (or £33 if booked online). Alternatives include home composting or visiting one of the city’s five household recycling centres (HRCs).

Anyone who decides to use one of the HRCs is being reminded that the sites do experience peaks in visit numbers, so the council is issuing guidance to people planning to visit one of the centres.

Generally, the peak periods are:

·         Between 10am and 3pm weekdays

·         Saturday to Monday are the busiest days

·         After 9am on weekends

Therefore, the best times to visit the HRCs are:

·         Tuesday to Thursday

·         Before 10am and after 3pm on weekdays

An alternative is home composting – which turns waste into nutrients for gardens and can help reduce climate change. This is an effective and cheap way to get rid of garden waste.

Residents can find out about the different type of compost bins available and the price and delivery charge at www.getcomposting.com.

For details of the locations of the city’s HRCs, please visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/hrc

To subscribe to the green recycling service, please visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/greenrecycling

OLD OSCOTT LANE CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING WORK (Dyas Road Aldridge road)

Old Oscott  Lane Phase 2  : Oscott  : Ref No :  AMEY04/07/F826030

What’s Happening?

Amey will be resurfacing Old Oscott Lane from Aldridge Road to Dyas Road.

The treatment will be plane off the existing material and resurface the road.

.

When Will This Happen?

The expected revised start date is during the week ending 18/4/14. The work will last for up to 5 days. We will be working between 08:00am and 18.00pm hours.

Access To Your Property

Vehicles are unable to drive over hot material. Whilst surfacing operations are being

carried out the section of road affected 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, they appreciate your patience and understanding during the works.

Traffic Information

Old Oscott Lane will be subject to a road closure. Width and speed restrictions will be in force during the 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 for any inconvenience caused and would like to assure you that they will do the work with as little disruption as possible as we improve your local environment. Thank you for your patience whilst Amey work to improve the city’s streets.

This work is long overdue and as your Oscott Councillor fully understand the importance of this busy through road we will do what we can to ensure Amey get through the work as soon as possible.

I would advise motorists using this busy stretch of road to look for alternative routes.