KETTLEHOUSE ROAD UPDATE.

While I am waiting for petitions from residents calling for road safety improvements for the Kettlehouse Road I am keeping up a stream of correspondence with the Transportation department regarding the matter.
There have been some vague humming and haring from Council officers over the last couple of weeks (I will report further once they have confirmed anything in writing) about what they are considering doing. I am also keeping the Police involved.
The new cabinet member has however advised me that his predecessor has been looking into the matter and now he (Councillor Huxtable) will if need be do the same. He will also be asking for the views of the other Oscott Ward Councillors.

I am also trying to get those residents who are concerned to contact the other Councillors for the Oscott ward regardless of political allegiances too ask for their support the more involved the better.

OLD OSCOTT COMMUNITY CENTRE TO GET MUCH NEEDED RE VAMP.

I was delighted as some one who tries to actively support Age Concern, to take part in the Oscott Ward Advisory Board last night where it was recommended that Age Concern receive 15K from the Oscott Community Chest.
This funding recommendation will be formally put to the Oscott Ward Committee (the 3 Oscott Councillor) in 2 weeks time.
The granting of this funding will pay for Age Concern the new lease holders of the Oscott Community Centre in Birdbrook Road, to pay for some urgently needed internal improvements. They intend improving the kitchen and office facilities at the Centre. This should help their users and other groups a lot. They will also be improving the security of the building.
Age concern have also received the full backing of the Oscott Ward Advisory Board including Councillor Barbara Dring and myself for further funding bids including for extending their Handy person Scheme and gardening help projects. This bids will also go formally to the Oscott Ward Committee for approval.
( The Oscott Ward Advisory Board is made up of leading community Representatives, Voluntary organisations and Representatives of the, Fire brigade, Police and health Service. Oscott Councillors attend to listen to the views and advice of these members)

If you would like to know more please ring me on 360 6486

NEW BROOM IN CHARGE OF STREET SERVICES

At yesterdays meeting of the full Council it was announced that Councillor Timothy Huxtable is to take over a the New Cabinet member of the newly merged Regeneration and Street Services portfolio.
This joining of these 2 important committees will be a big responsibility for him. He will for example be the Councillor who holds the purse strings and has the finale say to whether for example road safety work is carried out in a particular road.
You may be assured I will be pressing him and some of his senior officers on a whole range of issues concerning road safety issues in Oscott. Let us all hope he will make some serious decisions and help keep Oscott residents safe. It is time we saw his department take action in Oscott.

RESIDENTS DEMAND ACTION

A number of residents asked me to present a petition (the second one in 2 years) calling upon the Birmingham City Councils Transportation department to introduce traffic calming measures on the Aldridge Road between the Boars Head and the Metropolitan college including traffic lights at the Greenholm Road junction.
Most people in the area will know following previous campaigning by councillors of all parties and local residents slow down signs were erected near the Greenholm Road junction, but in my view it is time the Council bit the bullet spent some money on traffic lights and some speed indicator signs. Their constant refusal to spend money on appropriate road safety measures in the Oscott area is very worrying. I am now hoping with a new man in charge of the Transportation department things may start to happen.

BIRD BOX SUCCESS

Members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve have informed me that a visit to view a number of the Bird boxes put up last year has proved they are a success.
many of these boxes have been located off the beaten track for obvious reasons and this has helped the bird life in the reserve to be able to use them.
Most of the boxes appear to be occupied and birds and amongst the birds recorded as nesting are Blue tits, Stock doves and Owls.
It is hoped as the boxes mature there will be even more species nesting next year.
If you would like to join the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve or would like more information about its activities please ring me on 360 6486

YET ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN KETTLEHOUSE ROAD

A resident has informed me of yet another traffic accident in Kettlehouse Road which took place this weekend. This is yet another accident in the same road within days and this situation is clearly unacceptable. Sadly it would appear on this ocassion there were injuries.
I have been in touch once more with Councillor Len Greggory the Councillor with Cabinet responsibility for Transportation (the man who has the finale decision on what is to be done and is in charge of the funding needed to deal with this situation) requesting action is taken to deal with the traffic problems in Kettle house Road.
I will let you know his and his officers response.
As indicated previously I am also with the help of residents preparing a petition to be handed to the Council about this matter. I would also suggest residents may wish to write to Councillor Len Gregory C/o the Birmingham City Council House. B1 1BR

OSCOTT IS FOR DISABLED RESIDENTS AS WELL

I hold regular meetings with the Chair of the Oscott Disabilities Group George Hough to see how I can help his group campaign for disabled Oscott residents. George does tremendous, often unseen work for his members and other disabled Oscott residents. He certainly tries to ensure their voice is heard.

Many of the issues of concern come up on a regular basis. The state of our pavements is a typical example.
The poor maintenance of our pavements over the last few years has resulted in a number of residents tripping over and this includes disabled residents. Most fall go unreported as those who trip over often feel embarrassed. This should not be the case whether you are disabled or not if you trip over on a pavement which is badly uneven or broken you should consider claiming against the Council, it is you're right.
As soon as you can take a picture of the scene as evidence and write to the Transportation department for a claims form (or to me to get you one if it helps). I would also recommend that you make a note of what and where you accident happened. You can also if you feel it is justified contact a solicitor for legal advice and help.
The new PFI scheme which the previous government backed and it is to be hoped it will not be cut, should mean a steady improvement in the state of our pavements but we will have to wait and see.

In the mean time the OERG and I are also continueing our battle to get the Council to install more disabled drop curbs in the area to hel wheel chair users and mothers with push chairs get about easier. If you know where one is needed please let me know. Tel 360 6486

DUNEDIN ROAD RESURFACING WORK SET TO START IN THE SUMMER

Now the elections are over lets hope there will be a move away from the I did this and I did that when it comes to Dunedin Road for example. We all know that a lot of people, residents and Councillors from all parties and so on have worked hard for years to try and get something done about Dunedin Road.
The pavements have now been resurfaced but the quality of the work in places leaves much to be desired and I have put in a number of complaints about it.

Mr Pritchard the Senior Birmingham City Engineer responsible for getting the carriage way resurfaced in Dunedin Road has assured me that Amey the Private contractor who will be carrying this out as part of the PFI initiative will be prioritising this work in the summer.
I have urgently requested that the road surface is fully repaired before ant resurfacing work is being carried out we do not want it to tun out to be another Burnham Road.

I am also with the help of residents trying to put the pressure on the Transportation department to deal with the problems of speeding traffic particularly vans in this road.

BURNHAM ROAD CARRIAGE WAY FIASCO

After waiting a considerable time like residents in Burnhan Road I have been extremely disappointed in the way Burnham Roads carriageway was re surfaced. With weeks I had to complain about the surface and holes appearing in the surface again. Now only months after the work was carried out it is having to be re done. Who ever checked this work off has a lot to answer for. The waste of money even if the contractor has to foot the bill is a bad joke.
This time I am asking that curb stones and other finishing work be looked at as well. The work needs to be carried out correctly this time and not rushed. The Councills Transportation Department can not allow another fiasco to take place. Councillor Barbara Dring and I will certainly do what we can to stop this happening again in this road.

ACCIDENT IN KETTLEHOUSE ROAD

There has been another car accident in Kettle house Road. This took place at the weekend. A car was badly damaged after the driver appeared to lose control?.
Following being contacted by a local resident and having spoken to a number of others in Kettlehouse Road. I have now been in Touch ith the Leader of the Birmingham City Council and the Cabinet member for Transportation informing them, (as they have the ultimate say on how this issue can be dealt with and find the funding to deal with it,) of the situation and that it is becoming a regular occurrence.
I have also spoken to Senior Transportation engineers asking them to look at the situation again urgently and offering if necessary to meet them on site if it helps. I am awaiting their responses.
I have already put forward a number of proposals in the past for them to consider in regards to equipment they could use to improve things and reminded the Transportation Department that they were going to look at 20mph zones around schools and Bandywood Road for example is a road where this should take place.

A local KH Road resident also volunteered to collect names on a petition on behalf of residents and he would pass it on to me in order for me to present it to the Council. I will be doing just that when I receive the petition.
Finally in the interim I have also requested the Police look into the matter and also use their Community Speed Watch initiative as often as possible in the area.

OSCOTT RESIDENTS RE ELECT COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING

I would just like to add my congratulations to Councillor Barbara Dring for her excellent Local election result. Barbra had a returned majority of 592.
The residents of Oscott can now look forward with more confidence in the future knowing that Barbara is looking after their interests.
I would also say well done to Khalid Mahmood MP who surprised some by not only retaining his seat but also increasing his majority.

SKATE BOARD PARK TO BE BUILT SOON

Councillor Barbara Dring was contacted by a number of youngsters in the Oscott Ward a few years ago who asked if there could be a skate board facility for their use.
Barbara Took up the challenge and after holding a number of public consultations and receiving a large amount of correspondence mainly from young people, managed find a site for a skate board centre and the funding. With the agreement of other Councillors from different parties within the district it was decided to have a new skate Board placed at the Oscott End of Perry Barr Park. This will now complement a state of the art BMX track (to be built in a year or so) and will create a multi use complex for the benefit of the youngsters in Oscott and the surrounding area.
Baraba says
“this site has many advantages. It is on all the main bus routes which means youngsters from all over the Oscott area get to it easily, as they have done for generations. (It will save many of them a trip to town where they go in the various squares at the moment.).
This site has plenty of room . The site will have the security of passing Police vehicles on the near by main road as well as a park ranger.. It also has a big advantage in that it is not to close to where residents live which should help stop complaints about noise and so on.”

Well done Barbara I am sure the youngsters in the area will love this facility. Work is due to start on it this month. It is also hope when this initiative proves to be a success more funding may be given for similar ventures.

SLOW PROGRESS TO SAFE GUARD PAVEMENT

I have been pleased to see at long last there have been some movement to carry on securing the pavements near the HSB Bank ATM on Kettlehouse Road.
Working with Local Community Groups I have been pushing for additional pedestion railings to be put up near the where the Zebra Crossing is and now a long last this has been done.
Previously bike stands, a bench and litter bins have been placed on this stretch of pavement to help prevent drivers bouncing over the curbs to get as close to the bank as possible.
Residents may recall the battle we all had ( petitions and so on) to get the Mecca Bingo Hall to kindly allow driver to park free of charge in there car park just yards away from the Bank.
Residents and my self also petitioned, held site visits and wrote letters to the Transportation Department to get the Zebra crossing installed near by to enable people to cross the road from the car park and to help slow the traffic down.
But still drivers inset on getting as close to the bank and other shops as possible regardless of the safety of pedestrians.
The next stage is the establishing of a disabled bay and a single taxi bay near the front of the bank which we are told should further help stop cars going on the pavement. Once again thanks to all those who are keeping up the battle for safer pavements in the area and I will continue to do so also.

BUS HOPPERS ARE NEEDED

Sadly recently there has been a move to reduce the bus network coverage by the privately owned bus companies across the West Midlands. I feel this is the wrong thing to do and have spoke out against in RTA meetings on a number of occasions. You can see a result of this reduction in Oscott for example by the change of the route on the 655. (It is not all bad news at least we have kept the 375 after a major battle?)

I have been requesting as compensation that Bus Estate hopper schemes be considered. This is where small mini buses operate routes on “forgotten” housing estates. Again in Oscott for example residents in roads like Caddick Road and Ringinglow Road could be considered as routes. The hopper buses could link up to destination like shopping areas such as the Kingstanding Circle where it could help generate extra trade and supermarkets for example.
I also think in areas like Oscott where there is an elderly population there needs to be a rethink. It would also be a help to the unemployed and for children trying to get to school.

Centro have agreed to look into a number of my suggestions and who knows, if and when the current economic climate improves they may persuade the bus companies to take action .

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP MEETING

I have been asked by the Oscott Elderly Residents Group to remind elderly residents in the Oscott area that they (the OERG) will be holding another of their social get togethers on Wednesday 5th May. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre and the time 11am.
Why not pop on for a cup of tea and a chat.
When ever I manage to pop in and see this group they always seem to be enjoying themselves socialising. They also often have guest speakers and Q & A sessions.
If you know any elderly residents especially if they could do with getting out of their home for a break why not let them know about this meeting.

20mph ZONES NEAR SCHOOLS

For some time now as you may know I have been advocating the introduction of 20mph zone around a number of different schools in the Oscott Area.
The Councils Transportation Department have indicated that they fully recognise there are serious problems around many schools in regards to speeding traffic and were considering introducing 20mph Zones as a matter of policy across the city.
While I welcome this commitment as ever these things seem to take for ever unfortunately to be carried out.
I have written to the department about a number of roads near schools schools in Oscott over the years where I think these zones would be useful, these include for example.
Greenholm Road, Glenmead Road, Sandy Lane, Bandywood Crescent/road , Kingsland Road, Old Oscott Hill and Sundridge Road.
I am also calling for 20mph speed limits to be considered for a number of other streets in Oscott.
I am continue to press the Transportation department and will write to the new Cabinet member for Transportation when he is appointed asking to look at these roads and will keep you posted as to their response.

ALDRIDGE ROAD GETS A SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE

At long last the first stages of the Aldridge Road safety scheme has been put in place. A new speed warning flashing indicator has been installed on the Aldridge Road near the Great Barr Schools.
It has taken two years and a least two public consultations to get this far. I know that like myself the public while welcoming the device will feel it has been one long slog to get it.
The next stage following yet more consultations is to finally get the Council to install pedestrian refuges on the Aldridge Road and to introduce some time restrictions for those wishing to park near the school.
I have also reminded the Council that this work is intended to be looked at in parallel with the Safer Routes to school programme which is being consulted on near the Sandy Lane entrance to the Perry Beeches schools. I will keep you posted as I hear any news.
In the meantime there has been yet another accident further down the Aldridge Road and still the Council refuse to take action ( a petition was turned down about a year ago?).
A police anti speeding operation has taken place recently in the vicinity and I will be interested to see their findings. I will also encourage the Police to use their new speed watch equipment and volunteers in the area.

REMEMBER TO HONOUR DISABLED PARKING BAYS.

I have been working for some time with the Oscott Disability Group to try and make motorists aware that they should not abuse disabled bay markings. Along with Mr Hough the Chair of the ODG we have managed to persuade the Council to introduce a number of these bays across the ward over the last few years.
The problem is the enforcement of these bays. I regularly bring up this subject with the Police at their Tasking Group meeting, and with the Transportation department, but some of these bays are not controlled by the Council for example.
Another issue of concern is when some disabled residents who has a disabled bay marking out side their home move away the marking remains. I am trying to get the Transportation department to look into this issue as car spaces for none disabled drivers is at a premium in many roads.
I would urge all motorist to please honour disabled bays as those who need them can really struggle when there are none available.

See also Blog 8th December 09

FRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

The Friends of Queslett Nature Reserve are looking for new members. There is no fee to join and if you would like more information about how this group try and look after the Queslett Nature Reserve for the wildlife and its users please give me a ring on 360 6486

DOG FOULING A REAL MESS

Dog fouling remains a serious problem throughout the Oscott area despite me putting a a constant stream of requests for action from the Councils Environmental department.
They have sent out squads to try and sort out this problem but it really does not seem to be making that big an impression. You only have to walk down some roads like Cooksey Lane to see what I mean.
I will continue to try and get more action from the authorities and hope that the message will get across to dog owners.
If you know of a particular area blighted by dog fouling please let me know (360 6486) and I will pass on your concerns.

MY COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

I would just like to remind Oscott Residents I hold surgeries most Saturday mornings at the 610 Community Centre at 10.30am if you would like to come and discuss any issues or concerns with me.

I am always interested to hear what residents have to say.

If you can not make one of my surgeries you can always leave me a message on 360 6486.

I can not promise to resolve or the issues and concerns I hear about but I will try and help if I can.

FIRST SPEED WATCH OPERATIONS A SUCCESS

I popped along to see how the first of the Community Speed Watch operations were going yesterday. A number of volunteers were working with the Police in Kingstanding Road and Kettlehouse Road. As a result a number of driver will get a reminder (at this stage) to keep their speed down in future. The new equipment a lamppost mount speed indicator and so on worked fine and the training received by the volunteers seemed excellent.
I would like to thank those who took part and those who have put their names down to help in the future. The funding for this initiative has taken sometime to obtain and the Police I am sure will make the most of it. It is a shame that the Council could not do more to put road safety measures like speed indicators onto our roads but this system I am sure will help deter speeding motorists in the area.

The Police also took the opportunity to organise and mount an operation looking for Road traffic offenses like no insurance or tax.

If you know of any roads where speed is of concern or would like to become a resident volunteer, ring me on 360 6486 and I will pass on your details to the Police who have the finale say as to where and when this scheme is used and who they need to help.

FAME AT LAST

I have recently been informed that I have achieved the status of appearing on the Glum Councillors blog. There is a picture on this blog of me looking at particularly nasty pot hole in Booths Lane in a some what unhappy way. I can hardly believe it?
You can not begin to imagine what this honour means to me being of that blog?
Mind you I did have the satisfaction of knowing at least I got that pot hole filled in. I will pass on the location after the elections in case some one else wants to claim the credit?

I was a bit disappointed though that this Glum Councillors Blog did not look further into my blog I am sure knowing the amount of pot holes I have had to report given the state of the roads in Oscott there must be worse pictures. I thought the photo they reproduced was one of my better ones and it caught my best side.

NEW SPEED WATCH EQUIPMENT READY FOR ACTION IN OSCOTT

The community Speed Watch team will be out and about in the Oscott area tomorrow trying out their new equipment. I will not tell you where they will be but it will in a road not be that far away .

I wish this new team of resident supported by the Police well and hope that the equipment paid for out of the Oscott Community Chest (fully supported by Councillor Barbara Dring and myself) proves to be just what the doctor ordered.

Community Speed watch is where resident with the support of the Police use speed detecting equipment to identify speeding residents who are then in the first instanced warned by letter by the Police.

If you would like to know more please ring me on 360 6486

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TANK UNITS MADE SAFE

Thanks to the Kingstanding Pensioners Convention and local residents I was tipped off about a potentially dangerous situation where former tanks container on the land at the corner of Warren Road and Hawthorn Road had been left open. This meant children or animals may have fallen into these tanks and been injured.
Thankfully the Environmental Department responded to my urgent request and has had the lids of these tanks replaced.

BOOTHS LANE STILL BLIGHTED BY FLY TIPPING

Just some of the rubbish I have helped get rid of this year.

Booths Lane has had a load of fly tipped rubbish removed over the last few weeks but it is as bad as ever. The who area is blighted by fly tipped rubbish.
I am continuing to ask the Council to reinstall the missing CCTV camera and to try and catch and prosecute fly tippers. You can help by being observant and ringing 303 9900 if you have any information about a fly tipper.

MORE MISSING LITTER BINS IN OSCOTT

You may remember I informed you that litter bins were going missing all over the ward (about 39) I did manage to get most of them replaced at the time. However we are going through another spaight of litter bin thefts. I have reported most of them and let the council now where a lot of the black covers are, (thieves are after the metal inserts). but if you know of a missing litter bin which needs replacing please let me know. 360 6486. In the meantime I have been requesting the Council look at other less desirable to thieves designs.
Litter bins are important as the lack of them often means more litter and dog mess on our streets which needs cleaning up. Dirty streets can lead to more anti social behavior.

DRAW A LINE AT POT HOLES

I managed to get in a oral Question at the last Full Council meeting of this political year. (this is sometimes easier said than done.). My question was to Councillor Len Gregory who has cabinet member responsibility for our streets, was about his staff painting a white line through a pot hole as seen in some news papers.
His reply and fair play to him, was the pot hole had since been filled in as had thousand more. I do wonder however if he had been to Oscott where many seem to have been missed.? I have never seen our roads with so many pot holes.

If you want to tell me about a pot hole in Oscott ring 360 6486

Len is stepping down as Transportation chief (I will miss he's "no" response to my numerous requests for improvements to our road) to be come the next Lord Mayor of Birmingham. I wish him all the best in his new role and think he will do a great job for the city.

A CHEAPER WAY TO CONTACT THE POLICE

Contacting the Police by phone can now be a lot cheaper (especially for mobile users) Since April the sixth it has been possible to contact the Police on a new 0345 number which has replaced the old o845 prefix.
This means for any of the those none emergency call you make to the Police instead of paying a premium rate you will only have to spend a few pence a minute. The old 0845 number will still continue to help the change over be more easy.

The new number to contact the Police for None emergency calls is 0345 113 5000

GROT SPOT SUCCESS

The grot spot next to the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road (see my post 7th April) has been tidied up and as requested a new litter bin has been put in place near by.

If you know of a grot spot let me know 360 6486 and I will do what I can to have it cleaned up.

CHANGES FOR THE POLICE IN OSCOTT

At a meeting of the local Police Neighbourhood Tasking Group last week along with Community Leaders and Council officials I met some of the new Police Officers who are looking after the area.
From April the 6th the Police made a number of strategic changes which have resulted in Local Police Units being set up to replace the old structure. The Oscott Ward now falls in line with the rest of the Perry Barr Constituency and joins Ladywood to make up the new structure.The main Police station will be Steelhouse Lane and the senior officer will be Chief Superintendent Mc Keogh.

At a local level Kingstanding Police Station will remain in use and the Neighbourhood Police Initiative volunteers will still be able to operate from the Kingstanding station. Volunteers like Brian Brookes and Ray Jukes do a great job for the NPI assisting the Police to prevent crime.

We have some new Police officers covering the Oscott area and they are quickly leaning the ropes. There will continue to be a dedicated team of officer for the Oscott area. The standard of service we receive will not change and I have to say it seems to have improved. Inspector Dorfield and Sergeant Scott the new Sergeant have got off to a very good start and are looking into a number of issues which need addressing.

WHAT IS IN A BUS NUMBER

I know a lot of elderly Oscott residents have been worried about the 376 and 375 bus routes which operate in the Oscott area. With the help of Councillor Barbara Dring I have manged to get a commitment that neither of these bus routes will change significantly certainly not at the moment. There will be a slight change for the 375 near its Aldridge destination but this should not affect residents in Oscott. I have also been assured the current time tables should not be affected.
There will be new numbers to look out for however on these routes. As with many of the bus routes using the 3 prefix bus numbering will be shortened soon.
Hence the 375 will become the 75 and the 376 will become the 76. As I stated earlier this should not really affect Oscott Residents unduly.

Having said this no bus route is safe without patronage so please use or lose these buses.

HAPPY EASTER.

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and wish you all the best over the holiday period.

GROT SPOTS NEED ATTENTION

Not only is fly tipping (as can be seen in Booths Lane,) on the increase but simple littering is too. Having toured the ward it looks like the hard working Street Cleaning Teams have their work cut out. One example of littering is the house next door to the 610 Community Centre where there are dozens and dozens of empty larger cans and a load of political leaflets (not Labour I must add). Mind you I noticed these had started blowing away in the wind.
I am chasing up the Street cleaning squads as we speak and hope to get some of the grot spots sorted out soon.
If you know of any grot spots in Oscott leave me a message on 360 6486.

NOT IN THE PINK AT ALL

I am writing this to readdress the slander put about by Councillor Bob Beauchamp Erdington (Con) in a well known Birmingham evening paper (2nd April).

The article of concern is true when it says I was not aware that a Planning meeting which usually takes place on Thursday had been swopped to a Wednesday. It was also correct to say the above named Councillor took me by surprise and in my night attire when he came to give a lift to the Council House on that Wednesday morning.
What is fundamentally untrue, incorrect and not right at all is that the night attire afore mentioned were PINK PJS. They were in fact brown.
I now have considerable concern about Bobs eye site especially given he is a very experienced light air craft flyer.
I can only imagine these unfounded allegation were put about by him to counter my attempts to stop him talking so much at planning meetings, if that is the case Bob you will fail miserably.

ALDRIDGE ROAD SAFETY SCHEME IMPROVEMENTS OFF TO A SLOW START

Work has started on putting up speed cameras on the Aldridge Road between Shady Lane and the Great Barr School. It is hoped they should be activated by the summer when the electricity has been contacted. As for the rest of the scheme I have outlined the current position below.

Aldridge Road Local Safety Scheme Phase 2:
Adverse comments by local traders to the proposed guard rail at the junction of Dyas Road and Aldridge Road sadly remain unresolved at the moment. This has resulted in the delay in implementing the scheme as a whole
After constant pressure from Councillor Barbara Dring and myself concerning the safety of this part of the Aldridge Road, the Transportation Department propose to deliver the scheme in two phases this would ensure that Phase 2a could be implemented whilst a suitable solution is developed for Phase 2b.

Phase 2a- Traffic Calming Measures along Aldridge Road
Improvement works which were covered in the 2009 consultation, with no adverse comments received. Support from the Schools has also been secured for constructing a pair of pedestrian refuges in front of the Schools. This Phase should now proceed to detailed design and implementation subject to financial approval at each stage. It is envisaged that the implementation of this phase could commence in August 2010. This narrowing of the road should help reduce speed amd allow easier crossing of the road.
A separate consultation exercises will take place with local residents and Ward Councillors on the proposed double yellow line parking restrictions in the vicinity of the proposed pedestrian refuges in lieu of the single yellow line waiting restriction currently shown on the consultation drawing. This change has been proposed based on safety grounds for ensuring clear vehicular passage at the traffic islands.

Phase 2b- Pedestrian Safety Improvements at the Junction of Dyas Road and Aldridge Road, and Traffic Regulation Orders along Malthouse Lane
Investigation of junction improvements and parking restrictions on Malthouse Lane will be progressed concurrently with Phase 2a. Upon finalising the option, a separate consultation will take place. All views on this proposal will be treated separately to the consultation carried out for phase 2a.

I am also continuing to press for the Transportation Department to get on with their consultations with residents in Sandy Lane also, given the time they have taken to come up with safety measures on Sandy Lane (which is a separate scheme) near the Perry Beeches Schools. Delays to both these schemes and their various phases are very frustrating for everyone and are unacceptably slow.

DRINKING DEN REMOVED

The potential drink and drugs den in the Queslett Nature Reserve I posted about 12th March has now been completely removed following my request to the Parks Department. The department have now removed all trace of this dangerous structure. However there is still a lot of mess to tidy up and this will be done during the summer by the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve.
Sadly as I reported previously a number of tree have been destroyed by those who build this den.
I will try and ensure replacement tree are placed in suitable locations throughout the reserve to make up for this.

ANOTHER ENJOYABLE MORNING ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Over 20 people spent an enjoyable and interesting morning on the Queslett Nature Reserve today and this did not count the 3 users of the reserve who joined the Friends Queslett Nature Reserve while we were there..
Activities ranged from bird netting (for identification they were all released unharmed and the work was supervised by an expert) bird observation and litter picking the site.
Dr Stephan Bodnar the Councils Bi diversity officer proved yet again what knowledge has when it comes to the world of nature.
Dozens of different birds were identified and it is hoped that the work being undertaken by the FOQR and other groups, will make the wild life on and around the reserve even more varied.
The FOQNR strongly believe working on the reserve is just part of their aim which is to improve the environment throughout the area.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING PROVES TO BE RIGHT ABOUT FUNDING BIRMINGHAMS AND OSCOTTS ROADS

Birmingham roads are to benefit from £2.7bn transformation plan which has now been given approval.

The Governments Transport Minister Paul Clark has rubber-stamped the £2.7 billion scheme – the biggest Private Finance Initiative deal of its kind.
Engineering giants Amey have now been handed a 25-year city council contract to improve and maintain 1,500 miles of highways.
One of the first things they will to do is deal with worst outbreak of potholes in living memory – the result of the neglect by the Council over the last few years as you can see in many roads in the Oscott area for example.
The Department for Transport will provide funding of £600 million towards the total cost of the scheme.

You can rest assured both Councilor Barbara Dring and I will be pointing out the many problem roads in OSCOTT and will be demanding action to get them sorted out.

The Government spokesman said: “This contract will see the condition of Birmingham’s roads greatly improved and will include the maintenance of footways, bridges, street lighting and traffic signals.

Councillor Gregory (Con ) the Councils road chief has now stated: “There is no way we could have done this without the £600 million from the Department for Transport.”

I find this last comment strange when you come to think Councillor Barbara Dring has been condemned by her political opponents for informing residents that the Government was to bail out and fund the Councils road maintenance plans.

DOG FOULING IN OSCOTT

Since the start of this year possibly as a result of the bad weather I have had many complaints about dog fouling in Oscott.
The level of complaint is fast becoming completely unacceptable.
You may be aware that following a number of requests from my self it was agreed by the Environmental Department to send out a special team to look into this issue in Oscott, during March.
I have to say there has not been a noticeable reduction in complaints about this issue so far, although there has been some action taken.
Also it would appear Free of Charge Dog Fouling bags are no longer being supplied which is a decision I think the Authorities need to urgently review.
If you would like me to pass on a complaint regarding this matter please leave me a message on 360 6486.
You have probably guessed by now this is an issue I am going to keep onto the Council Authorities about.

See also my post 24th Feb

HAWTHORN ROAD SHOP WATCH

I was pleased to learn a the meeting of the Hawthorn Traders Association I attended last night, plans to form a local Shop Watch are underway.
I idea is that traders will inform each other by phone when a suspect shop lifter of someone acting in an anti social way is in the area. Warnings given to each other should help prevent crime amongst the local shops on Hawthorn Road.
I very much hope as many traders and shop workers get involved as possible as it will help prevent crime in the area. I would also commend all those working so hard to try and get it off the ground.

SANDY LANE PARKING PROBLEMS

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and myself are very concerned at the delay in implementing much needed road safety work on Sandy Lane near the Perry Beeches schools entrance.
The Council are currently supposed to be consulting with residents with regards to having measures put in place to prevent parents parking across drives and on pavements out side residents houses in Sandy Lane. However this has been going on for well over 2 years and action is needed now before an accident occur rs. There are also still similar problems in Beeches road which we are also trying to get the Council to address.
Residents in Sandy Lane be at least be assured the problems caused by parents parking while picking up and dropping off their children is not on I will allow the Councills Transportation Department to forget.

AGE CONCERN LOOKING AFTER OSCOTT RESIDENTS

I have had a busy week meeting elderly residents in Oscott. Today it was the turn of the Age Concern group in the Emanuel Church Kettlehouse Road.
I manged to get to there meeting due to an usually early finish of the Planning Committee today.
Once again I have been informed about all sorts of concerns including dog fouling in the area, the state of the pavements and why the Council are wasting so much money on "big schemes"

These residents are never slow at coming forward. They were also looking forward to a talk show and as usual the Age Concern staff were doing a grand job entertaining them.

If you would like to know more about this group ring Age Concern on 358 0309

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK OF TREE PLANTING

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve were surprised when Khalid Mahmood MP who was in the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground on other business turned his hand to helping to plant a tree.
There were six trees being planted today (see post 15th March) and members of the FOQNR were only to pleased when Khalid came to help out.
Many thanks were also offered to Nickola and the Glendale team who worked hard on all the preparation work, along with Lea Southall the Local Parks Manger. The trees were kindly donated by Tree for England. It all goes to show many hands make light work

PUDDING AND PINT UPDATE?

I have been asked what is happening to the old Pudding and Pint Public House on Kingstanding Road again, by a number of Oscott residents.
With this in mind I have asked the Erdington Constituency (including the Kingstanding Ward) Planning Senior Officer if he was aware of any Planning applications for the former Pudding and Pint Public House.
He has informed me there have been none since I last contact him in November. He is also not aware of any informal inquires. I have also asked the Kingstanding Councillors to let me know should they hear anything.

See also Nov 3rd post

BOOTHS LANE POT HOLES FILLED IN.

Birmingham City Council road workers came along today and filled in the worst of the pot holes in Booths Lane. Although by no means brilliant at least the road is now safe to drive along.
I now hope they pursue those responsible for the road for payment.
I also hope that ALL those with a genuine interest in the area can work together to pressure the Council into biting the bullet and to take over responsibility for maintaining this road.


See also March 10th Post

NEW TREES FOR THE ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND

The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve (which incorporates the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground), were pleased to be asked for advice where to plant 6 new trees in the Aldridge Recreation Ground.
Trees For Life who have donated these trees along with the Councils Parks department asked the FOQNR advice last week.
Members of our Activity Panel committee met with experts on site who agreed with our suggestions. We have made sure these trees will be planted in such away as to ensure that they will not interfere with neighbouring residents property in the future.
FOQNR Activity panel members will be helping to plant these trees on Wednesday at 11am.

DUNEDIN ROAD PAVEMENT UPDATE

Although it is good to see the Council finnally getting to grips with Dunedin Road (we are still pushing them to get other roads in th area done) there have however been a number of complaints about the standard of the replacement foot ways be installed at the moment.
I have already requested a number of inspections regarding dips in the footways which cause puddles and the surface itself appears to be slippy.
It would appear that cost cutting may be going on and the Council are more concerned about getting the pavements done just before the Local elections? Perhaps I am just being cynical?

Councillor Barbara Dring, Khalid Mahmood MP and I along with other councilors past and present have worked along with local residents to get Dunedin Roads pavements repaired. (Work is expected to start on the carriage way later this year.)
I therefore find it quite humorous that some people seem to think they alone have worked the oracle. It takes all sorts and there will always be some who think residents are daft!.
However both Councillor Dring and I will continue to complain about the situation as much as we need to in order to try and get a good job done.

See also my post Jan 11th

£35 MILLION FUNDING FOR RING AND RIDE

The much maligned Ring and Ride Service is to recieve a £35 million boost over the next 3 years
The WestMidland Special Needs Transport (WMPNT) who are the charity which runs this service,will get this funding over the next 3 years from the West Midland Intergrated Transport Authority.
Ring and ride is a vital service for the elderly and those with mobily problems and given there is expected to be well over a million resident over the age of 60 in a few years time in the West Midland area int can not come to soon.
It may also go some way to repair the damage being done by the withdrawing of bus services like the 655, which elderly residents rely on. The cut backs in the bus route net work by the private bus companies, are likely to cuase a lot of problems and I for one will continue to resist them.

POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD TASKING MEETING

Every month the Police hold Neighbourhood Tasking meeting (NTG) where the Police meet with local representatives , Councillors, Community group leaders (NPI ect) and Council officers to discuss crime in the area and way how to tackle it.
It is an opportunity for the community to air their concerns and pass on trouble spots as well as suggesting how problems may be eased. The Police also have an opportunity to inform those attending on what progress is or is not being made regarding various issues. The Council has an input and can note concerns about environmental issues and so on.
At this weeks meeting the Oscott Ward Committee was well represented by Councillor Dring and myself.
We both requested urgent consideration be given to speeding problems across the ward including, Kettlehouse Road and Kingstanding Road. There is also a perception that Police presence in some parts of the ward needs to be stepped up.
I also pointed out fly tipping in the Booths Lane area has become a major concern and dog fouling in the area seems to be getting worse.
Crime appears to be stabilising in the area following an increase towards the end of last year. However no one can be complacent and I know from residents that there are con men in the area and antisocial behavior especially by school children is still a worry to many people.

If you have a concern you would like me to draw to the atention of the Police please contact me on 360 6486.

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENTS GROUP MEETING

I was pleased to be able to pop in and see the Oscott Elderly Residents group holding their Tea and Cake social gathering this week. Every time I manage to attend one of their meetings I am always impressed on how Well their Chair Maureen Byrne who is disabled her self and her helpers keep their members entertained. This week they had Khalid Mahmood MP as their guest speaker. Maureen said " I think it is wonderful that Khalid is able to come along and be our guest speaker when you consider how busy he is"

If you want to know more about this group and their activities please ring 464 1869.

POTENTIAL DRUGS DEN PARTICALLY DESTOYED

A potentially dangerous construction which could be used as a drugs den has been found in woodland inside the Queslett Nature Reserve. The quick actions of local residents and member of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve, have made sure this structure has partly been broken down. Sadly a number of healthy trees were vandalised by those building this structure.

I have informed the Parks department requesting the rest is removed as soon as possible.
The whole structure was in an unstable way and could have fallen on a child who may be playing in the reserve. It is thought that this large shed like structure could have been used by youngster to take drugs or drink alcohol unobserved.
I would like to thank all those who alerted me to the situation.

SAINT ANNE'S ROLLING COUNCILLOR'S SURGERY

I was pleased to be able to hold a rolling surgery at Saint Anne's Court today.
I had a number of issues brought to my attention by residents. These included the state of the Old Cross guns public house, which was converted into flats and is now derelict and an eye saw.
Although this building is in the Kingstanding Ward I have asked that the Council consider compulsory purchasing this building if it can not be sorted out in a reasonable time.
Litter in some of the near by shopping parades, the state of some shop fronts, and the pot holes on college Road were also amongst the issues raised with me.
Clearly the College Road is like many other of our roads in that it has been left to deteriorate through lack of adequate maintenance over the last few years. Naturally because we had a colder winter than usual this time the authorities are blaming the weather for the state of many of our roads rather than their neglect.

BOOTHS LANE FLY TIPPING ON THE INCREASE AGAIN

Fly tipping along the un adopted section of Booths Lane is again on the increase. Rubbish of all sorts is piling up on the land next to this stretch of road. This is not just unsightly but may cause rats to increase in the area.

I am convinced due to the cuts in the bulky item clean up service which means after 3 collections you will be forced to pay for any rubbish collected from your home. This will mean in the long run people will fly tip more and Booths Lane is an easy target. It is made easier by the fact that a CCTV Camera has gone missing. I have asked the Council to look at restoring this camera.
They have also agreed to a request to sent in the You are your City Cleaner safer team to do a clean up in the Booths Lane area in the next few weeks.
If you see any fly tipped rubbish ring303 1112 or if you know any one fly tipping rubbish ring 303 9944.

COLLEGE TO HAVE MORE CAR SPACES SOON

I have had it confirmed by the James Watt Metropolitan College Site Manager that work is to start on creating up to 150 new cars spaces on the college site. Work is expected to start on demolishing the old Care Takers house as the first phase of the work to create the car spaces. It is hoped the work should be finished by the start of the Autumn term.
Along with the yellow lines near the Burnham Road and Birdbrook Road junctions with the Aldridge Road slip Road and the new parking bays on the same slip road, the proposed car spaces will make a huge difference in easing local parking problems.
Local residents along with Councillor Barbara Dring and myself have been pushing for these parking improvements for some years now and at long last there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

REPAIRS TO BOOTHS LANE CARRIAGE WAY AGREED.

After much argument I have had it confirmed that the Birmingham City Council now recognise the dangerous state of the Booths Lane (unadopted) carriage way. For months Council Barbara Dring, local residents and my self have been asking the Council to do something about this carriage way which looks like it has been bombed.
Following my most recent demand Council Engineers inspected the road and have agreed it is in a dangerous condition They have now agreed to do the work to make it safe and charge the owner of the Lane.
This Lane still needs to be fully taken into the ownership of the Council and Councillor Barbara Dring and I will continue to press the Council to do so.

OSCOTT GROUPS HAVE THEIR AGM'S

I attended a meeting of the Oscott Residents Groups today (these include The Oscott Residents Association, the Oscott Disability Group and the Oscott Elderly Residents Group) where they held their AGMs.
It made a refreshing change to see residents groups not hog tied by petty burocracy and just determined to get on and get things done. It proves to me that resident groups should where possible break free of the dogged rituals sometimes imposed on them by the Birmingham City Council. Residents Groups are much better when they are independent and free of Council involvements.
Khalid Mahmood MP attended this meeting answered questions ranging from the BCC Child protection events in the news recently to questions about Policing in the area.

There were also a range of Questions for the Councillors.

NEIGHBOUR HOOD OFFICE CHANGES

Due to deep cuts being made in Council budgets the Perry Beeches Neighbourhood Office, Beeches Road (Perry Barr Ward) is set to close in the summer of this year. This office which has been open on a 2 day a week basis has given good service over the years and although not in the Oscott Ward area some residents from Oscott have used this office and the staff there have done a good job.
Councillor Dring and I have insisted that Oscott where there is no Neighbourhood Offices should receive out reach assistance from Neighbourhood Office staff and sites within the Oscott Ward are being looked at to offer a place for Oscott residents to go.
The nearest other Neighbour hood office is on Rough Road near the Kingstanding circle.
Unfortunately due to the Council changing the way Neighbourhood Offices are operated you may need to make an appointment to attend and may even be diverted to other offices. In some cases these appointments are offered at Neighbourhood offices at the other side of the city which is completely inappropriate.
There is a new call centre however who can give advice and may make appointments for you.

Alternatively why not send your query via e-mail to: adviceline@birmingham.gov.uk or phone Contact Birmingham on 0121 303 1111 where they can deal with all your enquiries. The lines are open from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday.

DOG FOULING IS ON THE INCREASE IN OSCOTT

If the amount of complaints I am recieving about dog fouling is anything to go on, there seems to be a big increase in the problem.
Towards the end of last year I found out because of cut backs, libraries in the area were no longer giving out free doggy bags. I had that sorted out at the time. However even if for some reason there are no free doggy bags or scooper's available, there is still not excuse for letting a dog foul the pavement and not removing the mess.
This year I have been in touch with the Environmental department asking for their officers to monitor the streets more and ensure offending dog mess is dealt with. I have also asked that the Pan City Environmental team take some time in the Oscott area, looking into the problem.
I am sure if this is a success, we will find out about it in someones leaflet but there you go.

Dog mess should be collected and either taken home or put in a litter bin (if wrapped first) Most dog owners know this and are responsible, but I hope the rest remember the message pick it up wrap it bin it.

COUNCILLOR BARBARA DRING TO HAVE NEW WEB SITE

My colleague Councillor Barbara Dring is in the process of creating her own web site.
Barbara has told me she just has to get a few more details put on it and it will be up and running.
I will let you have the web details shortly.

Stop press Web details are as follows www.birmingham-labour.org.uk/oscott

For futher detail please ring Barbara on 360 7535

BIRD STUDY EVENT AT THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

There will be a chance to observe and study birds in the Queslett Nature Reserve on the 27th of March. Dr Stephan Bodnar the former? Bio Diversity officer for Birmingham, has kindly volunteered to come along and give the FQNR a talk about birds in the reserve.
The meeting will start at 11am and the venue will be the Ashworth Road entrance to the reserve.
Children are welcome under the supervision of an adult and please come prepared for the weather.
For further details please ring 360 6486

LEND A LIGHT WEIGHT MOBILITY SCOOTER IN OSCOTT

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The Oscott Disability Group offer a loan service for those who may need a light weight motorised disability scooter of a wheel chair.
Chair George Hough and his group can lend (small donation would be welcome) the above equipment to disabled Oscott residents who for example would like to go on a coach trip but their own scooters are to large.
This service has been used on a number of occasions last year and has helped a number of disabled residents get about more. George and his group have done Stirling work over the years, campaigning to improve the lot of disabled residents and this scheme has been a great success.
I am delighted to be able to say I am associated with it.
However storage is a problem for the ODG if you can help store some of their equipment or for more detials regarding lending equipment
For further details please ring me on 360 6486

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS TO (ORG) TO HOLD AGM'S

I have been asked to publicise Oscott Residents Groups AGM which will take place on Saturday 6th March at 11am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre Kingstanding Road.
The AGM's will be for .
The Oscott Residents Association
The Oscott Elderly Residents Group
The Oscott Disability Group.

Nomination for the committees can be sent by post to arrive by 12noon Wednesday 3rd March.
Please wright to Mr. N. Quinn.
ORG
C/o Tambridge
Constituency Office.
Perry Barr
Birmingham.



All the above named groups are made up of volunteers and do a lot of hard work much of it unseen for the local community. Please consider going along to their meeting and offering your services.

ROVING SURGERY SUCCESS

I have just got back from carrying out a Councillors roving surgery at Milnes Walker Court, where I had a good turn out of residents to see me.
I know many elderly residents feel a bit left out of things at time generally and I try and address those feelings as much as possible. I am pleased to say I always seem to get a good response from residents in the elderly residents complexes I go to.
Many of the problems I hear about are the same the ward over, the poor state of our pavements, trees needing pruning and so on. At Milnes Walker Court however one of their main concerns is the 375 bus how it runs and its future. I have let them know that both Councillor Barbara Dring and I will continue to support efforts to keep this service and to try and get it improved.

USE THE 375/376 BUS SERVICE

I have been using the 375 and 376 buses a quite bit over the last week or 2.
Unfortunately they were not been that well used by the public. Though I can understand why the elderly in particular have not been using these buses due to the weather recently , I hope they will start using them as much as possible when the weather improves. We do not want to lose these bus services after the fight we put up for them.

COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH COMING TO OSCOTT SOON

The problems regarding speeding vehicles in Bandywood Road and Kettlehouse Road have been an issue for some time. As a result, as you’re local Councillors Councillor Barbara Dring and I have had to raise this issue with the Transportation Department and the Police on a number of occasions.
The Council’s Transportaion Department have constantly rejected calls to take action. We have however now got a commitment from the Police, to work with local residents with portable speed camera equipment.
Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I as part of the Police Neighbourhood Tasking team have received assurance that this equipment funded by the Oscott Ward Committee will be used in the area regularly. This should help act as a deterrent to speeding motorists. Although it is not the complete answer to speeding in the Oscott area. It is a move in the right direction.
We will however continue to put pressure on the Transportation Department to deal with the problems residents face with speeding motorists.

Community Speed Watch is where the Police and trained volunteer members of the public use hand held speed cameras to help detect speeding vehicles on designated roads. Offenders will receive warning letters and persistent offenders may have action taken against them.
If you are interested in taking part please contact me on 360 6486

IT IS EASY TO CONTACT ME - SEE MY SURGERY DETAILS

Both Councillor Barbara Dring and I think it is more important than ever to give Oscott Residents the oppotunity to meet with us face to face to discuse their problems or concerns. about the Oscott area.
This may not be a popular conception in the minds of some other Councillors but there you are.

If you want to come along to speak to us please see our surgery time table below.

We also hold a Councillors Advice Bureaux on the 1st Wednesday of the Month 7pm at the 610 Community Centre, the 1st Thursday of the month 3pm at the 610 Community Centre. And Most Saturday mornings 10.30amt to 11.30am
At the 610 Community Centre.

You also ring either of us us on 303 3039 and leave a message.
Write to us C/o Birmingham City Council
Council House
B1 1BR

My E.mail address is Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk

My Phone No is 360 6486

Or why not leave a comment on one of my newer posts on this blog?

NEW ISLAND FOR QUESLETT RESERVE LAKE

I would like to thank Mike Garvey (Great Barr Leisure Centre Manager) and many of his staff who in their own time are building a wild life island refuge for the lake in the Queslett Nature Reserve.

I have to admit when I suggested the island was what the lake needed for its wild life I never thought Mr Garvey and his volunteer group would be able to do as well as they have.

The island will float in the middle of the lake in the Quslett nature reserve after being weighed down. The Parks department have been very helpful in the guidance they have given and the friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve have also been very supportive.

It is hoped that the new island will be ready to be "launched" in a matter of weeks?

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE fRIENDS OF THE QUESLETT NATURE rESERVE PLEASE RING 360 6486

COUNCIL CUTS THREATEN OUR WILD LIFE.

On a sadder note during today’s Planning Committee I asked how the Councils proposed deletion of the of Biodiversity Officer and Nature Conservation Manager Post will effect the Planning committee and its commitment to Bio diversity.
You may not be aware that it has been proposed that the posts of Biodiversity Officer and Nature Conservation Manager be deleted – leaving the city open to be challenge regarding its duty to safe guard our wild life.
It would also mean for example that the Council would be unable to meet the new requirement to register outdoor pools under the Aquatic Animal Health regulations 2009, without which Park rangers will be unable to legally remove fish from pools that require de-watering.
The Planning officers present were unable to answer my Questions and those of my colleague Councillor Ian ward later on. I also insisted that they contacted the Leisure Service department for clarification and I have been in contact with Councillor Marin Mulaney (Lib) Cabinet member for Leisure Services, asking him to look again at the Issue

OSCOTT HOUSING LIAiSON BOARD MEETING ENDS IN DEADLOCK

I attended a meeting of the Oscott Housing Liaison Board tonight to discuss the future of the Board. The HLB is made up of Council tenants and owner occupiers and Councillors, who try and work to improve their local community and look after Council tenants interests. It is over seen By Housing Officers.
Sadly the meeting ended in dead lock when residents either abstained or rejected Housing officers instructions to change how the meeting is run. The sticking points are how quickly a new AGM should be organised and how to organise the membership of the board.
Sadly over the last year or so many residents on the HLB feel they are not been taken seriously and that the constitution of the board is being used against the best interest themselves and those they represent. Also other motives seem to have been introduced to the meetings recently.
Most if not all the residents agreed with my view that after officers have failed to organise the last 3 meetings correctly rather than rush into organising a 4th meeting (they are not cheap to organise) which could be as badly organised as the last 3, time should be taken to consider the best way forward. One Oscott Councillor wished to organise an AGM regardless of the veiws of the residents present.
Unfortunately this leaves the HLB in limbo unable to make decisions for the moment.

A NEW STATION FOR BIRMINGHAM BY 2015

I was very pleased to be on the Planning Committee today when we gave the go ahead for the next stage of replacing of New Street Station.
Once work starts this potential Icon building, later in the year, it will create as many as 1,000 new jobs.
You will see in the fullness of time massive improvements including. More accessible and clearer platforms reached by 26 escalators and 14 lifts.
A new Facade. Eight different entrances, a much bigger concourse with much more light. It is hoped that at some stage in the future the Metro will link up with the new station. The committee has been assured little incontinence will be caused by the work to be carried out and the work should be finished by 2015.
This is a welcome boost for Birmingham's economy I just hope some of the expected wealth this new station will bring will end up benefiting Oscott residents. I will do what I can to ensure it does.

5 DOOR KITCHENS IN 2010

Like many other Councillors I find that in this day and age to see so many Council Houses with 5 door Kitchens is appalling. These kitchens are badly designed and many tenants find space in their kitchens is at a premium. These kitchens should have been modernised a long time ago.
I am trying to get the Housing department to take action on a number of properties and will do what I can to put pressure on the Council to make the modernisation of the kitchens a priority.

If you would like me to take up this issue on your behalf please contact me on 360 6486

LET THERE BE LIGHT (WELL AT LEAST STREET LIGHTS)

A number of resident have complained to that despite contacting the Street Lighting section of the Council, they have had not had street lights repaired since before Christmas.
This would appear to be another indication that cuts are being made in our basic services.
We need working street lights not only for obvious road safety issues but also to help keep crime down.
I will be continuing to press the Street Light Section to take action and get faulty Street lights repaired as soon as possible.

If you are having problems getting a street light repaired please contact me on 360 6486 and I will do what I can to help.

OSCOTT ELDERLY RESIDENT GROUP TEA AND BISCUIT SESSION

I try to pop in and see the OERG when I get the chance.

The next meeting of the Oscott Elderly Residents Tea and biscuit meeting will be on February 10th at 11.15 am. The venue will be the 610 Community Centre, Kingstanding Road . Free tea and biscuits will be available and there will be an opportunity to have a friendly chat with other local residents.Why not go along and there is also an oppotunity to find out more about the OERG. All Oscott elderly residents are welcome.


For further details please contact Maureen Byrne 681 1826

A SIGN OF THE TIMES IN QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

The Friends of the Queslett nature Reserve have at last recieved new information signs for the reserve from the Birmingham City Council. The FQNR which is a voluntary group paid for 2 signs to be made for the reserves and for them to be erected at the Old Horns entrance and the Ashworth Road entrance.
The new signs inform those who use the reserve a little of the history of the area, about the wild life in the reserve and about the FQNR themselves.
If you want to know more about the FQNR ( which now incorporates the Aldridge Road recreation ground) and would like to help improve the environment for the wild life in them please ring 360 6486 for information

SANDWELL COUNCIL TAKING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON QUESLETT ROAD

At long last Sandwell Council have agreed there is a problem on the Queslett Road. Following months of pressure being applied by local resident, the Great Barr Observer and my self (other Councillors have now joined in as well as has Khalid Mahmood MP) the Sandwell Transportation department are to recommend speed indicators be placed on the Sandwell side of the Queslett Road near the approach to the M6 motorway bridge and the Nova Court junction.
There are also proposals to resurface part of the Queslett Road carriage way at this location to improve the grip on the road there for vehicles.
This is certainly a step in the right direction however I am still leading the campaign to have the Nova Court junction improved along with my colleague Councillor Barbara Dring.

RUGBY ON THE UP IN BRUM

As a member of the Planning Committee I was pleased to be able to vote in favour of a new 5,000 seat stand for the Moseley Rugby Club. The clubs new stand which incorporates a new Barr, changing rooms, offices, toilets and medical rooms will help put Moseley Rugby club into the big time.
There is also accommodation for 30 disabled car spaced and 30 Buddy spaces for the car park The ground capacity will now be 7,500 and will also include hospitality rooms. Moseley Rugby club does a lot for the community and to promote Rugby and with this new stand this will even more the case.

RESURFACING CARRIAGE WAYS GOES AHEAD

I was pleased to see that after long last the carriage ways in Wideacre Drive and Crestwood Drive have been replaced. Councillor Barbara Dring have been helping residents in these roads for some time to try and get the Transportation department to get these carriage ways repairs done. (Barbara and I have also managed to get the Council to resurface a number of other small groves in the area.)
It just shows you where there is a will. Lets hope they replace a lot more carriage ways in the area they have let go to rack and ruin.

BLACK BAGS STILL NOT COLLECTED IN SOME AREA'S

It would appear that despite assurances by the Council Salvage department that much of the backlog in collecting blag bags (AND RECYCLING BOXES) would be sorted out over the weekend, a number of roads are into their 3rd week without a collection in the Oscott area.
I know the crews and management are doing what they can to resolve the problem but it is frustrating for local residents.
The senior Council chiefs seems to be struggling with the bad weather we have had this year and seem not to have made much in the way of contingency planning. Lets hope they learn the lesson for the future that it will snow during the winter sometimes.

TREES BEING REMOVED FROM THE OLD SAINT MARGARETS SITE

I have been contacted by residents who are concerned about the tree felling taking place in Holly Wood (off the Queslett road) and part of the old St Margaret's site.
I have now been in touch with the Landscape artist looking after the site on behalf of Bovis Homes. They have informed me as part of a woodland managements agreement with the Walsall Planning department. A number of self setting Sycamore trees are being removed.
These are being replaced by Native English Trees and this should help the long term welfare of the woodland.
Well over a thousand trees have been planted as replacements although these for the main part are whips which are small and not easy to notice for some time. They are similar to a number that have been planted in the Queslett Nature Reserve.
I have had this confirmed by the Walsall Council Tree planning officer I have also asked however asked that the situation be monitored and care be taken with other plants in the woodland.