WORK TO BEGIN ON ALDRIDGE ROAD RECREATION GROUND IN MARCH

I have now been informed by the Perry Barr District Director that the works at Aldridge Recreation Ground are due to start at the beginning of March and be completed by the end of April. (There is quite a long lead in period due to the Polyester Powder coating process on the fencing).

The work will entail replacing fencing on part of the Oscott School Land boundary. (to help improve residents security) and on upgrading the main path leading from the Great Barr School to Shady Lane.

I would like to thank residents for their Patience over this issue and the Friends of the Queslett Nature Park for their support.

AGE CONCERN TO HOLD COMMUNITY LUNCH

Age UK are hold a "Community lunch" on Thursday 6th February. The venue will be the Old Oscott Community Centre and the time 12noo to 2.30pm.

Oscott residents are welcome to come along and find out what goes on in the Community Centre There will be stalls and information available.

Age UK want to know what you think the centre can be used for and any ideas will be welcome.

There will be a free buffet and hopefully your 3 Oscott Councillors will try and pop in to.

ALDRIDGE ROAD TO GET SPEED INDICATOR SIGNS BY THE END OF MARCH.

A long last contractors have taken possession of the Vehicle activated signs (Speed indicators) which are intended for the Aldridge Road.
I have been putting pressure on for these signs to go in for a considerable time.
As far as I am concerned however even when they are installed (Senior District Engineers assure me by the end of March) it will not be the end of the story and I will continue to press for improved safety measures for the stretch of Aldridge Road which includes the Greenholm Road /Thornbridge Avenue junction.

A 38 TUNNEL CLOSURES WILL MEAN DELAYS FOR SOME OSCOTT RESIDENTS

RE: Dates confirmed for 2014 tunnels closures

Following on from the tunnels closures last year, this summer’s dates for the second phase of the essential refurbishment works in the A38 tunnels through the city centre have been released.

Oscott residents are advised that the St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels will be completely closed to all traffic from 10pm on Friday 18 July until 6am on Monday 1 September. This year’s closures will be preceded by two weeks of overnight closures, from 10pm to 6am, and followed by up to four weeks of similar overnight closures.

 PLEASE ENSURE YOU TAKE THESE CLOSURES INTO ACCOUNT AND TRY AND MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WHEN TRYING TO GET TO WORK.

The second phase of the works will complete the upgrade to the tunnels by renewing the ventilation system, installing new security and communications systems, replacing electrical systems and refurbishing pumping stations and plant rooms.

Should you have any concerns,or need further information please contact  BHMMembers@amey.co.uk.

STOPPING UNWANTED VEHICLES GETING ON THE QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE

Having been informed the main padlock on the Queslett Nature Reserve main vehicle entry gate (ASDA) end has disappeared and people are now leaving it open I have informed the Parks management Team who will ensure a new lock is fitted as quickly as possible.
We have seen in the past what damage vehicles can do in the reserve.

I have also been in touch with the Local Police team to ask them when on patrol to monitor the reserve for unwanted vehicles and Mini mo pads.

QUESLETT NATURE RESERVE PATH TO HAVE IMPROVED DRAINAGE

Sadly the unusually wet weather we have had over the last year has caused problem to a number of the paths in the Queslett Nature Reserve.
Although there is no intention to introduce metallic paths in the reserve as it is felt that would be out of keeping it has been recognised the Booths Farm Way path which runs parallel to the new Persimmons homes development needs improved drainage.
This path which leads towards the remains of the old Booths Farm is a well used path and it is hoped some drainage improvements will be underway later this year.

ANY PROBLEMS WITH NEW STREET LAMPS IN OSCOTT?

While most people have and do welcome the new street lighting being introduced across the Oscott ward some resident I know have concerns. This is mainly about lack of consultation, the positioning of street light columns and the potential for the light to be too bright in bed rooms. With this in mind I have requested that Amey look into these concerns and do what they can to address them.


 If you have a problem with the way Amey have replaced street lamps in your road (or are intending to) please let me know by emailing Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk or leave me a message on 303 2039 and I will do what I can to help.

REMINDER I AM ALSO ON TWITTER

I would like to remind Oscott residents that  I try to let them know what I am doing and what is happening in the Oscott area, by using Twitter https://twitter.com/KeithLinnecor  as well as this blog.

 However as you probably realise the things I post on this blog and on twitter only represent a small part of the work I do as a Birmingham City Councillor, member of the ITA and as a Local Councillor for Oscott.
If there are any issues you feel I should know about or if I can help you in any way please Email me Keith. Linnecor@birmingham.gov .uk. or ring 303 2039 (messages)

I never promise to resolve all the concerns I hear about but I am willing to try and help if I can. 



To find out about a issue or road don't forget the search function top left of my blog.

BATTLING TO GET POT HOLES IN OSCOTT REPAIRED

Given the particularly wet weather we have had recently it has been inevitable more pot holes should appear on our streets.

 As many residents already know I regularly report pot holes to Amey the Highways contractor who deal with the problem.

 If you have a concern about a pot hole and would like me to pass the details on than email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov alternatively phone me on 303 2039 (messages) or if you have one send back one of my return cards.

 Please however let me have the location (nearest House number) of where the pot hole is and I will do my best to get it sorted out.

PERRY BARR MP UPDATE

Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood has asked me to pass on his thanks to all those from which ever political party who have wished him a speedy recovery following his recent kidney transplant operation.
Khalid is on the road to recovery and thanks to all the hard work of the hospital staff he hope to be out of hospital and back at work in a matter of weeks rather than months.

He has also asked me to remind his constituents in his absence his office staff are still working hard on behalf  of  residents with problems and they can be contacted by ringing 356 8264.
They are also holding surgeries on his behalf.

PERRY BARR DISTRICT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED DISTRICT SAVINGS (LIVE STREAMED)

For those Oscott residents who missed the announced Perry Barr District savings Proposal at the recent Oscott Ward Committee this is a chance see for your selves the cuts the District is being forced to make due to government cuts in funding to Councils like Birmingham. 2014/2016

The Perry Barr District Committee ( which includes the Oscott Ward) will be live streamed tomorrow
30th January from 3pm.
 Members of the public are also invited to these meeting which are held at the Council House rooms 3 and 4.
There will also be other reports from the Council to consider.

TREES IN OSCOTT TO BE RE LOOKED AT

Following a site meeting with a senior Amey Tree maintenance engineer today it has been agreed that a number of trees in a number of roads will have the way the way the trees have be pruned looked at again.
It was agreed that in a number of cases trees needed more work done on them Also tree root damage will be looked at again.
Just some of the roads involved are.
Elmbridge Road
Anstey Road.
Marshal Grove
Blakeland Road
and Old Oscott Lane.

It should be noted that trees are no longer pol larded or severely pruned but in some cases more pruning can be done. If you have a concern about this issue please contact me by emailing.
keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk.
As ever unlike some in the past I make no promises but I will pass on your concerns.

RE OPENING BOOTHS LANE AN UPDATE

I have spoken to  senior Persimmons homes representative today who has assured me the re opening of their section of Booths Lane is still on target for the end of February.

OSCOTT'S TREES NEED TO BE PRUNED BETTER

Like a number of Oscott residents I find the way Amey ( the private contractor the previous Council Administration struck up a deal for a 25 year contract with) are pruning many of the large forest type trees in Oscotts roads is not good enough.

I many cases it is a case of trying to spot what they have pruned.

I can not be economical to send out crews to prune so little and at times have to go out again because of complaints from residents and myself. These large trees need to be well pruned and  more need systematically replacing with smaller native varieties. It is not the crew who does the works fault they are only doing what they are told.
I am all for the need for trees as they have benefits ecologically but large ones are more suitable for our open spaces and parks.

I will be meeting with senior Amey Representatives shorty to discuss my (and residents complaints) regarding the way many of the trees in Oscott have and are being pruned. If you have any concerns regarding this issue please
 Email me Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk and I will pass on your concerns.

STRANGERS IN CARS UPDATE POLICE MAKE ARRESTS LOCALLY

There has been  arrests made in the Oscott Beeches Estate area in connection with a previous incident where school children were allegedly asked to get in a strangers van.
There will be a number of relieved parents today in the Oscott area. Well done to those who tried to help by passing on information to the Police
Press details will have more information.
Well done the local Police team.

PERRY BARR MP ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

PERRY BARR MP ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

The MP for Perry Barr Khalid Mahmood  underwent surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston recently. The operation to receive a new kidney went well and Khalid is now recovering. It is hoped the recovery period will be around 10 weeks. In the meantime his Constituency team are continuing to work for local residents in his absence.

I am sure everyone would wish him a speedy recovery.

YOUNGSTERS SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM STRANGERS IN CARS

I have no firm information but in a couple of locations near schools in the Oscott area youngsters may have been approached with the intention of being enticed to a van.?
I would strongly urge children be warned never to get into a strangers vehicle or stand to close to a door when beckoned by a passenger or driver. Stand well back and keep safe. Never get into a strangers car for any reason.
Youngsters approached in this way should inform their teachers, parents and Police as appropriate.

The Police are aware of these incidence and are investigating the matter. If you have any information please contact the Police ASAP.

COOKESY LANE PAVEMENT UPDATE

With the Help of residents like Mrs Berry in Cooksey Lane I presented a petition to the Birmingham City Council last year calling for the pavements in Cooksey Lane to be repaired and improved.
I have now had it confirmed that foot way work will start on the Cooksey Lane Pavement with the target to have it finished by the end of May 2014 weather permitting.

This should be good news for the residents in Cooksey Lane.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHEELIE BINS BOUND FOR OSCOTT ARE MADE IN THE UK

Ever since Councillor James Mckay (the Cabinet member responsible) announced the plan to modernise Birmingham’s refuse collection system by introducing wheelie bins, I have often been asked about where we are buying them from AND WILL THEY BE BRITISH.? 

Recently the Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet  made decisions on the contract awards for the bins that will be delivered city-wide to homes in the remaining 38 wards of Birmingham.(there are 2 wards already with bins as part of a pilot scheme.)

The contract for the 350,000 bins (180 litre capacity) that will be used for general household waste, currently put into black sacks, has been awarded to a company with its headquarters in Rotherham.

The contract for 380,000 bins (240 litre capacity) that will be used for recyclable waste, currently put into two small boxes, has been awarded to the same Rotherham-based company.

The contract for the 350,000 pods/caddies (55 litre capacity) that will be inserted into the recycling bins, for the collection of paper, has been awarded to a company from Hull.

Finally, the contract for the 3,000 bins (360 litre capacity) that will be offered to households of nine or more people, has been awarded to an EU company, with its production based in Germany.

In short this means of the 1,083,000 bins we have procured, 99.7 per cent will be made in the UK.

Many councils up and down the country are already buying bins at the moment as a result of the government grants they won through the Weekly Collection Support Scheme and Birmingham has followed their lead although there has been some reluctance in some quarters.

I understand that there are still Oscott residents with concerns about receiving wheelie bins but at least the fact that the vast majority of them will be made in the UK and will help secure jobs in this country, will be welcomed by most people.

Oscott house hold waste Wheelie bins are due to be rolled out next year 2015 and when they are if you have any concerns about them please let me know and I will do what I can to help.

For example elderly or disabled residents can receive help moving them!

Email Keith.Linnecor@birmingham.gov.uk