THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue 619 18th March 2020 Read by more than 40,000 people each week Budget announcement could put £100m a year into region’s public transport Last week’s Budget provided another boost for public transport in the area. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £4.2bn fund for mayoral authorities, including the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to be spent on the rail and bus network from 2022. This comes on the back of almost three quarters of a million pounds awarded to WECA last month (Issue 616, 27th February) to provide for supported bus services in the area. Although our subsequent interview with First West of England Managing Director James Freeman on the problems facing the 18 and 19 bus routes put that sum Keynsham Station of money into context, the Budget announcement suggests a more serious commitment. As always, the devil is in the detail. The £4.2bn fund will be available to all eight mayoral authorities in England and spread over five years. If the sum was simply divided equitably that would equate to over £100m a year. The Budget announcement also made clear it was for the Metro Mayors to now come forward with proposals for a share of the fund while discussions would also be starting immediately with the mayors of Liverpool, Manchester and the West Midlands who already have projects ready to go. However, the statement also makes clear that all eight combined authorities will receive a share. Continued on page 3 Also in this Dealing with COVID-19 Vicious dog attack at Environmental concerns Latest planning news . pages 2, 6 & 7 Keynsham Lock over Kingswood houses . page 17 week’s issue . page 5 . page 13 Dealing with the coronavirus The one constant about the COVID-19 pandemic is that between giving news about what is the situation is continually evolving. An announcement happening and spreading more concern posted on our website last Friday about how we plan to about the situation. Hopefully we can deal with the situation is largely obsolete and by the time maintain the ethos of reporting unbiased this article appears in print, events may well have facts without sensational headlines. We overtaken us again. will also update on news from within the While we have a number of plans for how to respond to community, particularly on the efforts of different situations it would be unhelpful to deploy these until self-help groups which are already the particular circumstances dictate. Whatever precautions, springing up and that you can read about controls or restrictions are in place, it is important that day- on pages 6 and 7. to-day life continues as close as it can to ‘normal’. We are This may also be an opportune time to aware that for many people, The Week In is a part of their remind readers of our website routine, however small. Continuing to receive regular news www.theweekin.co.uk This is not only of what is going on in the area may become even more the first place where we publish important to those whose movements may be restricted for breaking news stories but a digital PDF whatever reason. version of each weekly edition can also If taps leak or cars break down, then plumbers or mechanics be read and downloaded on this website usually well ahead will still be in demand. We therefore intend to keep of the printed copies reaching the streets. Currently, around The Week In delivered by post producing The Week In every Wednesday but no matter what 2,000 people take advantage of this facility each week. If you would prefer to receive your copy by preventative measures we take, it is not certain that the But finally we need your help. The Week In is not delivered post this will cost £4.50 (2nd Class) per month. regular delivery circle can be maintained in its current form. to individual doors but to central pick-up points across the While we know some readers set their watches by what time area, and in particular, shops and supermarkets. If you are Call 0117 9860381 their local outlet receives The Week In, we expect there to helping someone who is house-bound, perhaps running some be some disruption. errands or walking their dog, look out for the latest copy of or email: [email protected] As to our reporting, we are fully appreciative of the fine line The Week In and include it with the shopping. 2 The Week in • Wednesday 18th March 2020 Boost for region’s New CCTV installed public transport Continued from page 1 at leisure park As we also highlighted in Issue 617 (4th March) WECA Mayor Tim Bowles has recently published his draft bus A new CCTV system has been strategy which was available for public comment until installed at Aspects Leisure Park in last weekend. The aspirations contained in that report will Longwell Green. no doubt form the basis of any subsequent proposal PC Lee Humphreys told the recent WECA puts forward for its share of the fund. meeting of the Hanham & Longwell Interestingly, that bus strategy included a very guarded Green Community Engagement Forum approach to the question on ‘London style’ bus that he had complained after the poor franchising – where Transport for London is responsible quality of the old CCTV system meant for the operation of the bus routes and hires bus that a group of eight or nine youths companies to operate them on its behalf. could not be prosecuted for an attack on While the Chancellor’s statement last week simply a security guard at Aspects. described the £4.2bn fund as enabling regional mayors to invest in local transport networks in their areas, WECA’s own media reaction to the news was more specific. Last Thursday, a spokesperson said: “This funding for transport is based on the Transport for London model, and will be agreed with Central Government based on plans put forward by Combined Authority Mayors.” The Budget announcement also made reference to the earlier £0.75m given to WECA as part of a much- He said he had emailed Savills, who leisure park after reports of anti-social heralded £5bn Government investment in buses. The run the park, and subsequently heard behaviour and thefts. There have been Budget report indicated that more details would be that the cameras were going to be problems with ‘boy racers’ in the announced at the next Comprehensive Spending Review, upgraded. PC Humphreys said the new underground car park at night as well along with details of a new National Bus Strategy. system was “fantastic” and would help as thieves stealing catalytic convertors. the security team up there who try to do There was also an attempted robbery by a good job. a group of youths who targeted four Last month (Issue 613) we reported that young cyclists on a footbridge near the PC Lee Humphreys police had increased patrols at the park in January. The Week in • Wednesday 18th March 2020 3 Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin THE WEEK IN New Kingswood bar sparks noise complaints from residents Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, A new bar in Kingswood has sparked The meeting also heard that there are no Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, noise complaints from people living signs advising people when they leave the Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, nearby. bar that it is a residential area, and that the Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell The darts themed 501 Bar in Downend Road response from the bar manager to complaints Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, opened in January and thumping music into North Common, Oldland Common, about noise has been: “We’ve got a licence.” Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, the early hours on Friday and Saturday nights PC Aaron Ashforth told the meeting that the Stockwood, St George, Warmley, is reportedly making life miserable for issue is on the police licensing officer’s radar Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. neighbours. and he advised people to keep reporting their 16,000 copies are distributed through The problem was raised at last Monday’s concerns. Community engagement officer retail outlets, libraries, pubs, meeting of the Kingswood Community Marian Mussah told the meeting that the community centres each week. Engagement Forum, organised by South council’s environmental health department is Verified pick-up rate of 97%. Gloucestershire Council. aware of it and is investigating. Publisher People living nearby reported that even when The premises was previously the Hotcha Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA the doors are shut, the noise is terrible as Chinese takeaway 0117 986 0381 there is no soundproofing. There is also a 501 Bar in Staple Hill. The www.theweekin.co.uk One person who lives nearby said the lack of 501 Bar Facebook page says they take ISSN: 2052-9767 sleep was making her epilepsy worse. bookings for darts tours, stag parties and hen Managing Editor Stephen Rodgers [email protected] Another said that a resident in her late 80s parties. News Editor Becky Feather 07403 273967 has had to move bedrooms to try to get some The Week In has contacted 501 Bar asking if Contributors Christine Rogers sleep. they wish to respond to the concerns raised. Advertising Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 [email protected] Help sow seeds of new @theweekineditor No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may allotment group be reproduced without the written permission of Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd.