The Week in East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue no 354 15th January 2015 Read by over 30,000 people every week In this week’s issue ...... page 3 Tesco still committed to Hanham . Store to go ahead despite losses pages 4 & 5 K2 - more drainage concerns . Public footpath flooded after pumping page 23 Go ahead for studio school . Keynsham IKB plans approved in 2 The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 Hanham Tesco boss: we're still committed to Theopening boss of Tesco has confirmed our that superstorethe troubled retail giant is still intending to open its planned superstore in Hanham. But in a letter updating Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore last week, chief executive Dave Lewis could not give an anticipated opening date for the store which it was widely expected would have opened some time ago, given that Tesco fought for years to build on the old Kleeneze site before finally getting permission from South Gloucestershire Council in 2012. A 2,918sq m store was approved back then and Tesco promised the creation of 160 local jobs and 228 free parking spaces. “I am conscious that you may see this news and be concerned Mr Lewis said in his letter: “As you will have read in the media, about the future of our plans in Hanham. However, I would like our performance as a business has fallen significantly short of to reassure you that it remains our intention to open our where we would want it to be. As a result the financial resources planned store. We continue to believe that the store would we have available for new investment are severely constrained provide a valued service to the local community and we know and we have had to critically review all current and future that many people are keenly anticipating the opening. We are investment decisions. looking forward to bringing new jobs and investment to “My absolute imperative has to be to protect the future of our Hanham, and providing local customers with the best we have business for the c.300,000 colleagues we employ in to offer. communities all over the UK. In recent weeks we have had to “We are not yet in a position to confirm an opening date but we face up to some very tough decisions which affect many hard- will be sure to keep you closely updated on progress.” working people. I don't do that lightly and so it is with a heavy Tesco has also announced the closure 43 unprofitable stores heart that I am announcing that we are unable to proceed with around the country but it is understood none of those affected 49 new planned store developments across the country. are in our area. in The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 3 Keynsham FreshThere is still no news aboutflooding plans to deal with the fears at K2 controversial issues of drainage and heavy goods vehicle access to the K2 Meadows site, eight months after developer Taylor Wimpey outlined proposals to B&NES Council. An application to discharge a number of conditions attached to the original grant of planning permission was registered with the council in May 2013. In it, the developer also sought permission to use Parkhouse Lane as a temporary haul road, allowing lorries laden with soil excavation to exit directly onto Charlton Road rather than through residential areas. The Week in Water has been pumped into the dam since before Christmas Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, 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. 15,000 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] Editorial Becky Feather 07973 839936 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. in 4 The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 g fearsThe Week In has reportedat on severalK2 instances last year of highway and pavement damage around Lulworth Road and Coronation Road, as well as residents' concern for safety. But the council's highways team lodged an objection in July last year and wanted more information about proposed numbers of movements on the temporary road. There have been no further updates on the council's planning website since then. 'Boggy Meadows' The public footpath from Abbots Wood, looking towards Meanwhile, with heavy rainfall forecast, concerns continue over The Brambles drainage on the site. Last summer we reported that Taylor Wimpey was also applying for permission to sink a new pipe for These pictures were taken in the first week of January after only additional deep bore soakaways, having admitted to finding the a moderate amount of rainfall and residents tell us that while it an underground culvert in 2012. Local residents had pointed to is not uncommon for the footpath to flood in winter, this usually the existence of the watercourse running through the K2 site clears within a matter of days. but were ignored during the original planning application procedure. Now christened 'Boggy Meadows' by locals, a pump has been Keep in touch, let us in almost constant use since before Christmas, depositing know what you think, water into a man-made dam. This has caused water to build up through Abbots Wood and flood the public footpath leading from send us your news The Brambles. www.facebook.com/theweekin in The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 5 in 6 The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 Pressure to improve bus servicesLen Fynn, from Cadbury Heath is in his 80s is and relies steppedon up public transport to get out and about. Until last Sunday, when Wessex axed the 533 bus, the Parkwall Road resident was using the service up to four times a week. Mr Fynn, pictured second from left with campaigners, said the 533 was also popular with other elderly and frail people, linking up communities between Keynsham and Mangotsfield, including Willsbridge, North Common, Barrs Court, Kingswood and Hillfields. The route was supported with funding from South Gloucestershire Council, but with much of the route now Cllr Christine Price, who represents Longwell Green on South covered by commercial services, the council is not permitted to Gloucestershire Council, has also been contacted by provide financial support. concerned local people while Sam Bromiley and Paul Hughes, First Bus's 17 service, which Mr Fynn also uses, runs from who are standing for election as councillors in May, say names Keynsham to Southmead Hospital, via Longwell Green, are flooding in for a petition being delivered through every door Kingswood, Staple Hill and Fishponds, but he says it's in Oldland and North Common. unreliable - a view supported by contributors to our Letters page Mr Skidmore says he is concerned in particular about the and by constituents who have been in touch with Kingswood elderly and vulnerable who rely on buses to do their weekly MP Chris Skidmore with their concerns. shop or access hospital services. Complaints include that the bus is often very late, sometimes He is hoping to get representatives from the bus companies doesn't run at all, and that drivers don't always stick to the and the council to a meeting to present the petition and the route. case that local residents need a better service. in The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 7 Keynsham Broadlands Academy plans to cut admission numbers by 67 a year Broadlands Academy in Keynsham is planning to cut its annual intake by 67 from September 2016. Dean Anderson, principal of the school, which is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), told The Week In: “As a result of falling pupil numbers in the locality, there are simply not enough students available to support an admission number of 217. “Additionally, Broadlands has benefited from being a smaller school over the last few years. We have been able to focus on the achievement and progress of each student individually, personalised timetables and curriculum and as a result, improved outcomes. “Since becoming an academy (in 2012), we have broken all records for GCSE results with a 24% rise in the percentage of students achieving five A*-C including English and maths to 68% in 2014. “Students are making better progress than ever at Broadlands and we have created a sustainable educational environment which is ensuring that students get the results they deserve. “I view the reduction in the PAN (Published Admission Number) as a positive move to stabilise year group size and ensure that we can retain the benefits of being a small school. We know every student and can really focus on ensuring that their needs are met and that they have every opportunity to be successful.” People who wish to comment on the reduction in the year 7 intake are invited to write to Mr Anderson before 9th February, when consultation closes. Mr Anderson said the academy had recently had a monitoring visit from Ofsted and the inspector had noted the progress made since last summer when the education watchdog found that Broadlands required improvement. He said: “Myself and my staff are delighted with the letter as it highlights the work that they and our students have done to address the issues and puts the academy in a good position moving forward.” in 8 The Week • Thursday 15th January 2015 each other for the closure.