War Memorial - St Michael's Church

Councillor Tim Ball, local campaigner Sarah Moore and Focus team member Sean Moore joined other members of the local community to clean up the War Memorial down by St Michael's Church in Twerton this morning.

The memorial has not been cleaned for a considerable time and had become rather dirty. Whilst the majority of the grime has been removed, we will be looking at getting the cross cleaned further and also look at ensuring this is now maintained regularly.

More Children's events during half term.

Life 365 are running free children's events on 26th & 27th October at Rosewwarn Park between 1pm & 4pm for all children within primary School age!

There will be face painting, bouncy castle, games and lots more!

This could be an ideal place to take your child during half term for a break for you and the kids.

Help for Twerton Community

Councillor Tim Ball has a small amount of money available this year to help promote community projects.

If you are part of an organisation that is looking to run a project then please get in touch as there may be a small amount of financial help available.

If you have an idea of an improvement that needs to be made that can not be funded in any other way then please let us know so that consideration can be given to see if it can be funded.

We want to see Twerton residents involved as much as possible in ideas of how to improve the area for the better.

Haycombe Cemetery & Crematorium entrance improvements

Work has started on a new project to improve the entrance gateway at Haycombe Cemetery & Crematorium.

At the moment the gateway can become congested as it is only wide enough for one car to pass through at a time. This can mean that funeral cortèges have to wait to wait outside on the road from exiting traffic to pass through the gates on to Whiteway Road.

The work will involve dismantling and relocating two of the stone pillars which have been in place since 1937, to widen the gateway.  Great care will be taken during this part of the job sot hat the pillars on both sides will match once it is finished. 

New gates will be manufactured by a local fabricator modelled on the design of the existing gates and re-using parts of them where they can.

One of the pedestrian access routes will also change with a new gate off the Whiteway Road pavement leading on to a new pathway inside the boundary wall towards the Chapel and the rest of the grounds.

Single lane access will be maintained throughout the works and the Council’s contractors are making significant efforts to ensure inconvenience and noise is minimised at this sensitive location.

Works are scheduled to finish before Christmas.

Half Term Fun - Bath City Farm

Are you looking for activities in the area to keep your children amused this half term?

Bath City Farm are holding the following events that are free so why not go along to a great community venue right on our doorstep.

Monday 26th October 11am-2pm: 

Medieval Madness!

Go and explore medieval life at Bath City Farm, handle medieval artefacts, make a gargoyle and sample medieval food. 

Tuesday 27th October 11am-2pm: 

Apple and Pumpkin Day

Join them for a day of apple and pumpkin related fun, including; apple tasting, bobbing and juicing, and pumpkin carving. 

Saturday 31st October 1pm-4pm: 

Frightful Halloween Fun

Join them for an afternoon of spooky games, make a paper and willow lantern and dress to scare for our 3.30pm lantern-lit parade.

Planning Application - The Hollow

Overlooking the field where approval to build 20 homes is being sought  

The additional consultation period for the application to build 20 homes on the land adjacent to The Bath City Farm has now closed.

Over 290 objections have been received from residents around the area not wanting this project to go ahead.

The objections raised are for a large range of reasons, but the main reasons we can see are:

• The dangers that result from having an additional road emerging onto The Hollow, whether with or without altered traffic calming, this area already has too much traffic travelling at too great a speed.
• The loss of the already limited green space and beautiful hillside.
• The negative impact on the surrounding residents and the Farm itself.

The decision is scheduled to be released at the end of November and we will of course let you know the outcome as soon as we hear. However, both myself and Councillor Tim Ball are supporting the residents with their objections to this application and hope the views of those that will be mostly affected by this development are listened to over those of a national developer. 

Windrush Close

After a recent walk around in Windrush Close we were concerned to find that the footpaths have become very worn and in places were covered in a green moss.

We have asked Curo and the Council to inspect the footpaths to take the necessary action to remove the moss that is slippery when wet.

We have also asked that any repairs including resurfacing of the paths takes place as soon as possible.

Redland Park walk around

Sarah Moore & Councillor Ball by fly tipped sofa

Councillor Tim Ball and I went for a walk around Redland Park yesterday.

Unfortunately, the level of rubbish and fly tipping is not getting any better.

We have asked for the sofa that has been dumped to be removed as soon as possible.

We have also asked for the whole area to be cleared up.  Rubbish was left lying all around Redland Park and the grass has even been cut around some of the rubbish, which is totally unacceptable.

More rubbish around the area

We have also asked Curo to get the overgown bushes and the weeds cleared up across the area.

Councillor Tim Ball is also contacting Curo to arrange a more regular programme of works is put in place to get this area monitored and rubbish/weeds removed promptly.

If you are aware of fly tipping or rubbish in your area that is not being cleared, please do get in touch.

Shaws Way - Weeds and Rubbish

Sarah Moore next to bus stop on Shaws Way

Great walk around Twerton today with Councillor Tim Ball, shame about all the rubbish and weeds we came across.

I have requested a bin is put next to the bus stop on Shaw's Way to try and reduce the amount of litter that is constantly left on the grassed area near this bus stop.

I have also asked if the large amount of weeds that are on the steps that lead from Shaw's Way up to Sheridan Road are removed as when these get wet they are very slippery and make the steps quite hazardous.

Currys PC World Refurbishment

Following discussions with staff, we can confirm that Currys PC World at Weston Lock is currently closed and will be closed for approximately 2 weeks, whilst the refurbishment of Unit A is finished and stock is moved to enable Currys PC World to operate from this side of the site.

This will mean that Currys PC World will then vacate Unit B and this will be free for Marks & Spencers to complete their work to enable the new food store to be opened in this section of the building. 

Quebec Twerton

We have reached agreement with Curo for the removal of a hedge opposite the football ground that has been a problem for residents.

We have also asked that the lights that are not working in the area are repaired as soon as possible.

We would hope that the lights would be repaired shortly and expect the hedge to be removed and the replacement fencing put in place in the next few weeks.

New Noise app launched by Council

We are pleased that with all the problems that Twerton residents have had over the years with noise being created by some unsociable residents that the council have launched a new app to help battle this problem that have plagued  many households.

Noise nuisance accounts for almost two thirds of complaints received by the Council’s Environmental Protection Team, but because it is often unpredictable and can happen at any time of the day or night it may be difficult for Environmental Health Officers to witness. 

The online toolkit and app will help people to gather evidence, so that the Council can, hopefully, help those affected resolve the issue without the need for formal action.

The toolkit includes advice on the actions you can take whilst noise is happening and afterwards. Amongst the ‘tools’ supplied are log sheets, template letters and the Bath and North East Somerset noise app.

The free app can be downloaded to your smart phone, and can then be used as an electronic noise diary, recording short audio clips, with date, and time. This information is then sent to the Environmental Protection Team who can use it to help with their investigation.

There are a number of benefits in using the app over making traditional audio recordings:

• The app provides a GPS location to pinpoint where you are recording the noise from.

• It has easy to use icons to indicate the type of noise and which room you are in when being affected.

• It means you can take action as the nuisance is happening.

• The app acknowledges that your recording has been received.

• Ultimately, the app provides a whole package to enable you to communicate easily with the Council. There’s no need to write letters or email, the app does it all for you.

To view the toolkit and download the app visit:http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/environment/pollution-noise-nuisance/noise-toolkit

Road Safety - Poolemead Road/Sheridan Road

Following requests from residents earlier this year, it is great to see the white keep clear lines have now been painted on Poolemead Road/Sheridan Road.

The keep clear lines have been put on both sides of Poolemead Road from the Junction with Whiteway Road and also from the Junction of Sheridan Road along Poolemead Road towards the rear of the Southside Centre.

There have been a number of issues with cars, vans and even coaches parking in this area restricting traffic flow and making visibility and pedestrian safety a large concern for a number of residents.

We are hopeful this should now make the area safer for everyone, however, please do let us know if there are any continuing issues.