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Wildlife at Risk in Row Over Broken Sluice Gate

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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue 602 13th November 2019 Read by more than 40,000 people each week Wildlife at risk in row over broken sluice gate South Gloucestershire Council and the Environment The large pond in Warmley Forest Park, usually home to Agency are at loggerheads over who is responsible for a rich variety of wildlife, is being choked by a thick carpet fixing a broken sluice gate which is causing major of duckweed. problems at a popular beauty spot. It is an attenuation pond, built for flood alleviation when The state of the pond the nearby Avon Ring Road was created. The sluice gate, which controls the flow of water, is currently broken which has resulted in the pond falling into a worrying state. The council says it is responsible for the pond but not the sluice gate, which is in need of repair. It says that in July 1999, when the Siston Brook Flood Attenuation Pond was approved, it was understood that the Environment Agency would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the control structure while the council would maintain the remainder of the pond. This week local councillor Steve Reade said nothing can live in the pond as it is. “I am disgusted by the inactivity of the Environment Agency. They have been aware of this for many months,” he said. A council team recently visited the pond and skimmed as much of the duckweed from the surface as possible but were unable to remove all of it in one attempt. A council spokesperson said: “We are due to go back later this month to attempt to remove more of the duckweed before any severe winter conditions may arrive. “We are also actively trying to avoid more nutrient build- up in the pond, as this encourages the duckweed to grow. Continued on page 3 2 The Week in • Wednesday 13th November 2019 Wildlife at risk in row New 65-year lease for over broken sluice gate Avon Valley Railway Continued from page 1 to securing funding but will help to reduce the “We will be assessing the pond over the winter potential for the duckweed coming back next The future of the Bitton-based Avon Valley Railway is set to be secured with the and the trees in and around it, with the aim of year.” The Environment Agency this week agreement of a new 65-year lease over part of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path. carrying out tree work to reduce the number told us that responsibility for the sluice gate The stretch which also includes the railway station and track has been occupied by Avon of leaves falling into the pond. This is subject has been passed to the council. Valley Railway Heritage Trust since the 1970s, with the council having granted an initial 20-year lease in 1982. But since its expiry in 2002, the agreement has been on a year- to-year basis. The charity has restored steam to the Avon Valley and welcomes more than 80,000 visitors each year. Following negotiations with the trust, the council has worked to broker a new deal that gives future stability to the attraction with a 65-year lease. An Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust spokesperson said: “We welcome the progress so far on the new lease and on its completion it will provide the necessary security of tenure in helping us to achieve our future plans.” Dave Gorham The sluice gate needs repair Well-known local businessman Dave Gorham died suddenly at his home last Wednesday (6th November), aged 56. He was best known as the owner of Blades Barbers and Dudes ’n Dolls Beauty Salon in From former refuse dump Temple Street, Keynsham. He opened his original barber shop in Temple Street more than 15 years ago before to much-loved park moving to larger premises opposite the new Civic Centre in 2012. He leaves a wife and four children, the youngest who is six. The 25-acre Warmley Forest Park was once home to clay pits and a pipe works next to the railway line and a coal mine. The industry finished in the 1960s and the site became a refuse dump, which was filled and capped some 20 years later. Woodland trees were planted by the community and Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send the Forest of Avon and now the whole area has matured as a thriving wildlife area. There is an orienteering and nature trail and the park also houses a skatepark. us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin The Week in • Wednesday 13th November 2019 3 Police issue Brexit New waste contract scam warning to cut costs and litter Following an in-depth With reports that some people living in the won’t be affected. The caller will then try review and negotiations Devon and Cornwall area have been the to get their bank details. with SUEZ, who operate victims of a Brexit scam, Avon & The police advise to always be wary of waste and recycling vehicles Somerset police are warning that although any unexpected callers who ask for your in South Gloucestershire, this hasn’t happened in our area yet, it personal or financial information, the council says improved may only be a matter of time before the especially if they are claiming to be from terms have been agreed for scammers try their luck. a bank or the tax office. Scammers will the final five years of the Criminals have been contacting people always use the confusion caused by a PFI (Private Finance and claiming that the supply of medicines major event such as Brexit to try to take Initiative) that governs how will be affected by the UK leaving Europe money from people. kerbside collections are and that people will need to pay in If you have any doubts or concerns about • Installing CCTV cameras on all waste managed. advance to ensure their prescriptions a caller, hang up. collection and recycling vehicles to provide The review found that while savings were better monitoring data, reduce littering and possible by bringing the service ‘in-house’, promote improved health and safety. SUEZ these were largely off-set by the costs will also employ staff to review the footage Keep in touch, let us know what you think, associated with early exit from the contract. to resolve any service issues. send us your news In a statement the council said: “As part of • Buying additional recycling vehicles, which www.facebook.com/theweekin the new arrangements, which will retain the will improve collection round sizes and current contract with SUEZ until its end in ensure that rounds are completed each day. 2025, the company have agreed to invest to • Using a 70/30 ‘split-back’ vehicle at improve the quality of the service, on top of Christmas and Easter to collect the additional THE WEEK IN savings of £1m per annum.” cardboard and mixed plastic and cans put out SUEZ have agreed to make several changes for collection at these times of year. Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, to improve the quality of the service and • Increased frequency of vehicle cleaning to Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, value for money including: help prevent avoidable equipment failure. Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, 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 07403 273967 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 13th November 2019 Cautious welcome for fracking halt The announcement last week that the event was recorded on 26th August. government is ending support for The government said the moratorium on fracking in England on the basis of new fracking will be until compelling new scientific analysis will come as a relief to evidence is provided. It also confirmed it will local campaigners. not be taking forward proposed planning Hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - is the reforms for shale gas developments. These controversial process whereby deep proposals were consulted on in 2018 but will boreholes are drilled into a shale rock bed not be implemented now. and water, sand and some additional Both B&NES and South Gloucestershire chemicals are injected at very high pressure Council had objected to the proposals to to induce fractures in the rock to allow change the planning process which could methane gas to escape. have given the fracking industry the green This gas is then collected at the surface and light to start drilling across the country eventually fed into the mains gas supply. without local planning applications. Coal bed methane is a similar process in B&NES particularly feared about the which boreholes are drilled into coal seams potential impact of fracking in the Mendips and the water in these seams is pumped out on the thermal water supply to the World to allow the methane to flow to the surface Heritage City of Bath.
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