GREENHOLM SCHOOL TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS ARE WELCOME BUT DO NOT GO FAR ENOUGH

The proposed Traffic Regulation Order for areas outside the Greenholm Road School are helpful but in my view go no where  near enough solving the problem of dangerous parking in the location.
Whet is needed are further TRO's in the form of double yellow lines and the junctions of the near by roads, (Anstey, Blakeland and Elmbridge).
Vehicles parking on or near these junction with Greenholm Road endanger children and other road users. Given the Police simply do not have the resources to be present every time children from the Greenholm School are dropped off or collected, I will continue to press the Transportation department for more double yellow lines.

OSCOTT POLICE TEAM TO LAUNCH DONT SPEED AND DRINK AND DRIVE CAMPAIGN

At yesterdays Oscott Neighbour Police Tasking Group meeting the Oscott Police Team announced with the help of their Traffic Colleagues they were launching a pre- Christmas anti speeding and drink drive campaign locally.
Amongst the road being targeted will be the Aldridge Road and Kingstanding Road. Those motorist pulled in for speeding may find themselves breathalysed.
Hand held anti speeding devices will be amongst the equipment being used at the run up to Christmas.
The Local Police Team had this message   "Don't speed and don't drink and drive".

This campaign follows on some good work that has been recently carried out in the area by volunteer members of the Oscott Community Speed Watch (who work alongside the Police)

GRIT BIN PATROL

Over the last week or two I have been out on patrol in Oscott checking that grit bins are topped up with grit. Most are well topped up but with this cold snap this could well change and I have been onto Amey asking them to make sure these bis are checked.

Grit is meant to be placed on the carriage way not on peoples garden paths  so please do not be tempted when the weather gets worse to remove grit from Council grit bins to put it on garden paths.

I AM ON TWITTER TO

Just a reminder I am also on Twitter
https://twitter.com/KeithLinnecor

However if you want to contact me regarding a Council problem or to let me know about your thoughts about what is happening in Oscott Email me on
Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and do not forget to leave your full contact details.

Alternatively you can leave me a message om 303 2039

WE NEED TO STOP THE FLY TIPPERS

There has been an increase of anti social fly tipping in the Oscott area recently.
I have had reports of cars and vans pulling up at the road side dumping rubbish on the pavement or at the end of gating schemes.
If the Council can get accurate information regarding the perpetrators they can prosecute and the fines can be hefty.
If you see some one fly tipping and can safely get the registration number report it to the Council on 303 1112.
There is no excuse for fly tipping the Holford Drive recycling and rubbish disposal centre is just minutes from anywhere in the Oscott area.

OSCOTT COUNCILLORS SURGERY DETAILS OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR

  Current Oscott Councillors Surgeries

 

Councillors operate a rota

1st Saturday of the month, 10.30am

610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road, Birmingham, B44 (Induction Loop Available).

1st Wednesday of the month, 7.00pm

610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road, Birmingham, B44 (Induction Loop Available).

4th Tuesday of the month,  09.30am

610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road, Birmingham, B44 (Induction Loop Available).

 

 Home visits for those with genuine mobility difficulties can be arranged.

 

CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS

There will be no Councillor surgery on the 23rd December, 3rd January or 7th January.

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I am also on TWITTER 

My Email address is Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

Tp leave me a message ring 303 2039 and give your details and my name

KING STANDING POLICE STATION TO CLOSE

Government cuts in Police funding are starting to bite.
Kingstanding Police station is just one of many throughout the region that is set to close to the public over the next 12 months.
Following what the Police have called consultation they have decided to close a number of Police stations to save on the costs of front desk service.

The Police service believe that resident will still be able to contact them through their webb site, Email (if you have access to a computer?), the 101 phone service (none emergency and by means of local Police community meetings in each area.
I have my doubts about this but recognise if Police funding is slashed changes must be made. I would have thought scraping the position of Police Commoner and all the bureaucracy that entails, across the country would have help set an example in this.

The Police maintain these cuts will help keep front line officers on the beat.

I have complained to senior officers and the Police Commissioner regarding this decision which I feel is not in the best interest of Oscott residents although I understand the Police's reasoning on this matter.

I have also passed on my appreciation to the Local Police team for the work they do.

KINGSTANDING LIBRARY TEMPORY CLOSURE EXPLAINED

Kingstanding Library has had to be closed from Friday to the present time due to a failure of both the roller shutters and the automatic door at the entrance to the library. Staff had managed to gain access to the rear of the library through the flats entrance, and then through the fire door which leads to the library from the foyer to the flats.  Since the flats entrance is a private access security locked door this is not an entrance that the general public can use.  The library is still closed to the public, and staff are working at other libraries, apart from the single member of staff on site to let the engineer in and to deal with the public calls, etc.

Staff are at present waiting for an electrician to arrive to progress repairs so that it may open as soon as possible.It looks like the fault may be more serious than first thought.

ROAD LEAF CLEARANCE IN OSCOTT

 These are just some of the roads I have had to request receive road sweeping to clear excessive leaf fall (the most recent only) needles to say there have been a number of others.

Tresham Road

Rodlington Avenue

Corbridge Avenue

Birdbrook Road

Cavandale Avenue

Eliston Avenue.

Courtenay Road.

They have now been completed recently

Other roads Like Blakeland, Anstey,  Marshall. Birkenshaw,  Old Oscott Lane, Warren Hill and Hill Crest  need being kept on top of to.

If your road has an excess of leaves on its pavement and carriage way email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

or leave me a message (don't  forget your contact details) on 303 2039

STREET SIDE RECYCLING BANKS ARE NEEDED AND SHOULD BE LITTER FREE.

I know a number of resident prefer to use convenient Recycling banks located on street corners (and shop car parks) in the Oscott area than using their blue and green boxes.

These boxes can be a problem in windy weather as they can blow into the road and so on.

It is important that we try and recycle what we can to try and improve the environment but it is also important to try and keep recycling banks tidy and free of rubbish. This is why I have asked the Local Street Cleaning Management Team to remind their staff to monitor recycling bans which are on our streets for rubbish and litter left near them.

FORGOTTEN OSCOTT RESIDENTS IN ASHWORTH ROAD

Amey Birmingham Highways contractor intend resurfacing Lindsay Road week ending 28th November. However they appear to have forgotten although this road is small on the scale of things having no residents living in it, closing this road does effect over a 100 residents living in Ashworth Road.
Ashworth Residents were not even told about the closure proposals until I had to get in touch with Amey urgently requesting  residents be contacted with the relevant information.
 Lindsay Road connects Booths Lane to Ashworth Road and is the only way out for Ashworth Road residents.
Amey will now be notifying residents and have also agreed weather permitting to speed up the work involved and to cut down the proposed closure time from 5 days to 2.
The Parks department who are at last carrying out some fencing, signage and path improvement wok on the near by Queslett Nature Reserve were also not informed of the closure until I connected them However if needed they may be able to use the reserves other entrance.

DON'T BUILD ON THE FOX HILL STABLES SITE

I would like to support residents who  want to stop development of 4 houses being planned on the Fox Hill stables and riding school. The school is Popular with local children, disabled adults and children. College also students work there 2 or 3 days a week doing exams from horse colleges. Other children do stable management. Some Oscott residents also  own a horse stabled on there.

The closure may also mean horse riders are tempted to use other areas like the Queslett Nature Reserve where other resident could be put at risk.

The gap between Birmingham is small and precious and should not be built on. At worst the  land should remain as farming or related use land.

CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE OSCOTT STREETS TREE STOCK

Unlike some, although I know a little about trees I am not an expert.
I do know however like a large number of Oscott residents who live is streets with old large forest type trees, are not happy the way they are being pruned at times.
I have been calling for some time for a re think on how these sorts of trees are being pruned.

The issues trees of this type create for residents include
The sticky residue they create which covers, drives, cars and bay windows.
The issue of light especially when they are located near street lamps.
Concerns about aerial dish or phone line interference.
The increase in lung conditions.
Roots either invading Gardens, or uplifting pavement causing trip hazards.
Excessive leaves causing problems with drainage.

 I need to make it quite clear I value trees in our road. They look nice the are environmentally essential in helping with Carbon Dioxide levels and so on. They also due to their take up of water help reduce water levels and prevent flooding.

I have called over and over again for a sensible phased large tree replacement program where very large trees are gradually replaced by smaller more suitable ones.

If you have the same concerns as myself but perhaps are a little concerned that you may be considered as causing problems if you complain, please get it touch with me and join my campaign to improve the tree stocks in Oscott and help ease the concerns of Oscott residents.
This can not be done over night but more needs to be done.

I fully understand that the tree officers have a tough job to do trying to negotiate between those who want to keep the trees we have and maintaining them and on the other hand  residents who simply do not like trees and want many just removed.

I am trying to create a half way house where those who like trees but see the problems they cause are listened to more synthetically and their frustration is taken into account.

Please let me have your concerns email Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

SHOP FRONTAGES SHOULD BE SAFE FOR THE PUBIC TO USE

 I  occasionally receive complaints regarding the state of the pavement out side shops only to find the "pavement" is part of a shops frontage. If that is the case it is up to the trader/shop keeper to maintain their  frontage and not let it become a trip hazard. Uneven paving slabs or broken tar mac surfaces can be dangerous.
I do sometimes get the Council to send reminders to shop keepers, advising them of their responsibilities.

If you see a badly maintained shop frontage you could politely inform the shop keeper asking them to sort it out or contact me and I will try and get the Council to remind them.

Should you have a fall as a result of a badly maintained shop frontage ( you can often  tell the difference from the Councils pavement which is near the road as the surface changes)  make a note of the circumstances date and time for example and take a photograph if possible. You may wish to contact the Council to ensure the trip is the responsibility of the shop keeper. If it is you may wish to seek legal advise on how to make a claim.

Most good shop keepers and traders keep their frontages trip free and tidy but I would appeal to all shop keepers in the Oscott area to check their frontages and keep them maintained. At the end of the day they might find them selves liable for a claim against them.

THORNBRIDGE AVENUE CARRIAGE WAY RESURFACING UPDATE.

Following a number of complaints to the Amey Highways department regarding the awful state of the carriage way in Thornbridge  Avenue I have received confirmation work is expected to be completed within the next seven months.

Clearly this is annoying give work was supposed to start in May however I will keep up the pressure on Amey to get the work done with the new time frame.

LINNECORS GROT SPOT TEAM!

I am not sure to be pleased or embarrassed by the name a small team of  volunteers I helped put together, who go around Oscott cleaning up small areas, have called them selves  Linnecor's Grot Spot Team.

They have been independently  tidying up small areas of Oscott for some time now and are looking for fellow volunteers.
 For further information ring 675  2349

I would like to thank them for their efforts.

LETS CREATE MORE GREEN AND BROWN ROOFS AND ENERGY

In my view Its time more dull grey public building roofs across the country went green or brown giving a life line to nature, paid for by money saved by producing energy from  having solar panels on the same roofs.

Let see if there are some private companies out there who can help Councils and other authorities to create solar panel roofs, to help produce energy an a environmentally friendly way. There must be thousand of acres of  suitable roof space all across Midlands alone.

Perhaps this is just wishful thinking? I hope not and I will put it forward to those dealing with the subject at least in Birmingham.
If you think I am right contact your local Councillor or MP, if not let them have your views anyway.

WREKIN ROAD DRAIN PROBLEMS

Following reports of flooding in the Wrekin Road/ Warren Hill Road area I request the Highways department gently inspect the various drains there.
 They have found drains blocked with concrete (not leaves) and are now arranging to try and get these drains unblocked with the use of a jack hammer.