THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue 555 12th December 2018 Read by over 40,000 people each week Fed-up traders wait 6 months for phone fault to be fixed Traders in Hanham who have been plagued by phone Bernard Jackson, who runs Fleurtations florist in the High connection on 17 occasions – the longest period being five connection problems for six months hope that the promise Street, says he and five neighbouring businesses have days. Connection was lost again for three consecutive that the fault is finally being fixed will ensure they have a been affected. days in November, which is when an exasperated Mr good Christmas. Since May he says he has lost phone and internet Jackson contacted The Week in to highlight the problems that traders have been facing. Mr Jackson said that when an underground service engineer first came out in May, he’d identified a length of faulty cable which needed replacing and had even marked the spot on the pavement. Mr Jackson says he and other business owners have lost trade over the last six months, are fed up with the temporary fixes and want the fault sorted once and for all. Openreach is a functional division of telecommunications company BT plc, that owns and maintains the telephone wires, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect nearly all homes and businesses in the UK to the national broadband and telephone network. Continued on page 3 Also in this Kingswood dog Why S. Glos exam New book about Spotlight on parents’ fight fears reignited results have been so 1940s Keynsham bad parking week’s issue . page 5 poor . page 10 . page 15 . page 16 2 The Week in • Wednesday 12th December 2018 Fed-up traders wait 6 months for phone fault to be fixed Continued from page 1 remind customers that they need to contact Their spokesperson told us on Friday: “A their broadband provider in the first instance; fault was reported to us on 22nd November they will then raise the fault with and our engineers were able to restore Openreach.” service to the customer on the Hanham High When we pointed out to Openreach that the Street within 24 hours. While investigating traders had first complained many months the initial problem, we discovered another ago, the spokesperson acknowledged it was problem with a length of faulty cable which frustrating, adding that it is often a needed replacing. complicated chain between a customer’s “We believe it was this cable that was communications (broadband) provider, BT causing wider problems in the area; the and Openreach – all of which do different initial works for this problem were jobs. undertaken this week and the cable should Mr Jackson told us it would be a good be replaced within the next week. This Christmas for all concerned if the fault is Bernard Jackson should then give the traders of Hanham High finally fixed but a shame it had not been Street confidence that they will have great done six months ago when an engineer had broadband service during this busy festive first identified the problem. Siston Lane to undergo major clean-up season. He added that he had not been offered any South Gloucestershire Siston Lane for a day next from May until last month “If any further problems are encountered, we compensation or discount on his line rental. Council is planning to close week to carry out deep for drainage works. cleansing works. The most likely date for the As we have previously clean-up within a statutory Stolen van found torched reported, villagers have notice period of five days is A white Ford Transit stolen from Footshill Road in Fundraiser highlighted the enormous Monday (17th December). Hanham at around 9pm on Sunday 2nd December was amount of litter that has Siston Lane will be closed found set alight at about 10.15pm in Briery Leaze Road, accumulated along the lane from its junctions with for pre-school this year. The road was used Webbs Heath and Whitchurch. as an alternative route by Shortwood Road. The If you have any information regarding this incident, A 5k Santa Dash is being held on Sunday (16th) to raise many more motorists when closure is anticipated from contact the police on 101. Alternatively, you can call money for Oldland Pre-School. Abson Road was closed 9.30am to 2.30pm. Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In recent years the pre-school has organised a fun run from its premises in School Road to The Hollybush pub at Bridgeyate, but this year the Santa Dash has been extended to encourage more serious runners to take part. The 5k run from The Swan pub at Swineford to The Hollybush will set off at 9.30am. The fun run from the pre-school to The Hollybush will get under way at 9.40am. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Oldland Pre- School on 0117 9328411 or email [email protected] The entry fee for single runners is £10 or £15 with a Santa suit. All money raised will go to the pre-school. The Week in • Wednesday 12th December 2018 3 Kingswood gets share of £800,000 for new community buses A successful bid for for through the Local support to upgrade our £800,000 in funding for Growth Fund. service and our fleets and improvements to com- Replacing the oldest are pleased to see this munity transport in South vehicles in the current fleets, council and the West of Gloucestershire was wel- the new Euro 6 engined- England understand our comed at the council’s vehicles will provide a range vision for bringing Cabinet meeting last week. of benefits, from reducing public transport to the The funding, the largest ever harmful emissions, fuel community. single investment for the consumption and ongoing “This funding will give us district’s community travel, maintenance costs to the chance to replace some was awarded a few days offering an improved service of our oldest vehicles, previously at the West of for users and helping to reenergising the service for England Joint Committee. make essential services and generations to come.” Janet Biggin, South Glos Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Transport Kingswood Community facilities accessible to all South Gloucestershire Colin Hunt, & Mike Vernon, of Kingswood Community Transport Transport, Green Commu- groups in society. Council leader Cllr Toby nity Travel in Yate and Four Kingswood Community Savage, who represents the towards new vehicles across “This is the largest single value the administration Towns and Vale Link Transport Chair Cllr Janet authority within the West of South Gloucestershire. ever investment in our attaches to community Transport in Thornbury will Biggin said: “We are England, said: “I am proud community transport fleet transport and the role it benefit from the funds, bid delighted to receive this vital to see this funding go and is a testament to the provides across the district.” THE WEEK IN Donations welcome The organisers of a food cupboard set up at the Staple Hill Community Hub at Berkeley House to help people Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, in urgent need is seeking donations including tinned meat Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, and fish, baked beans, baby food, long-life milk and Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, desserts and instant noodles, plus little treats for children. Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Toiletries are also welcome. Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Situations Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Vacant Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. 16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%. Publisher Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Managing Editor Stephen Rodgers [email protected] News Editor Becky Feather 07973 839936 Contributors Christine Rogers Advertising Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 [email protected] @theweekineditor No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd. All rights reserved. Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd. t/a The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above. 4 The Week in • Wednesday 12th December 2018 Dog fighting fears stoked Big improvements at pre-school by latest damage in park St Joseph's Pre-School in Fishponds has turned itself around, jumping from an Ofsted rating of Inadequate to More evidence that dogs are being Good in just a few months. trained to fight in a children’s play When the education watchdog visited the pre-school in area in Kingswood has emerged. June, it received the lowest score in two categories - In October we reported on concerns effectiveness of leadership and management and raised by councillors that dogs were personal development, behaviour and welfare. Even being trained to fight in the Woodstock though quality of teaching, learning and assessment and Play Area by sinking their teeth into the outcomes for children were considered to be Good, swing seats to strengthen their jaws. the pre-school received an overall rating of Inadequate. And now a seat has been damaged The inspector who visited the pre-school in the church beyond repair in the play area, which is hall in Forest Road in October has published her report part of the open space between which says it is now Good in all areas.