Residents' Update:
Sunday 2nd August 2015
Dear All,
Above are aerial photos of the new Whitley Bridge as supplied by Constain.
This week’s update includes:
Whitley Bridge works; Asda wins Planning Appeal; Residents Parking Scheme Update; Whitley Parking problems; Fallen Tree in River Sowe; Roads and Pavements; Tollbar Island Update; Festival of Imagineers; Combined Authority? Find out more; City of Culture for 2021; Death of Joe Richards; 2015 Annual Canvass; Quinton Park Toilets; Beach at Shelton Square; Getting out and about; Don't miss ….; Dates for your Diary; Useful Links. And Finally ….
Whitley Bridge works almost Finished
From Bob Pettipher Constain
All exits and entrances onto the new junction where available from 2pm on Thursday 30th and pedestrians/cyclist now have use of the old bridge as a non-motorised users route.
Leaf Lane from Black Prince Avenue also opened to traffic. It all appeared to flow smoothly both Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
We still have some works to complete. Can you remind people of the following:
Monday 3rd August 2000-0600 - Full closure of SB exit from JLR . Alternate lane closures on Northbound exit but one lane available at all times.
During carriageway closure vehicles will divert via Toll Barr and London Road.
When SB on slip is closed, vehicles will need to leave JLR etc via the slip road towards the island at London Road and continue their journey from that location.
We will begin to de-mobilise our office from Monday and begin to restore Whitley Common area to its original state.
Asda, Daventry Road, wins Planning Appeal
We are disappointed to hear that the Planning Inspector has ruled that Asda can have delivery lorries unload at the Cheylesmore store at an earlier time of 7am.
The original planning permission was for a 9am start for the delivery vehicles, this is now 7am. This new permission though is just for one year. If there are a lot of residents’ complaints about any early morning noise from the delivery vehicles then any further extension of delivery times would be reviewed.
Portions of the appeal document are included. If you wish to see a copy of the complete document then contact us.
Residents Parking Scheme Update
After the initial hiccup with the signs, the scheme is now fully operational. From tomorrow fines will be issued as opposed to the warning letters.
Facts & Figures as at 27th July:
40% of all permits issued have been for the Visitors paper permits.
Whitley Parking problems
Parking by non-residents continues to be a major problem in Whitley. On Monday, Coventry & Warwickshire Radio broadcast from the area. Several residents and Roger were interviewed, however JLR declined to take part.
A number of company cars have been taken off the streets in Whitley thanks to the reporting from residents and Councillors.
Fallen Tree in River Sowe
Residents reported that a large tree had fallen into the River Sowe adjacent to Folly Lane Fields near the Foot Bridge, off Southport Close. Hazel contacted the River Authority and the Council with respect to this issue. Both responded that it wasn’t their tree. Apparently the tree was on a section of privately owned land. Thankfully the ‘Sowe Valley Whitley Grove Woods Group’ came to the rescue. They all worked last Saturday to reduce the branches that were in the River, see before & after photos:
Judith has sent this report about the tree and welcomes extra volunteers to help in the Whitley Grove Woods, off Ashington Grove, Whitley.
The willow tree which is covered in ivy and split in the gales we had in May/June. It is dangling in the water and will eventually grow into the river bed and create a natural dam. There is rubbish piling up already behind it, but the river flow isn't restricted.
The next meet up of the Sowe Valley Whitley Grove Woods Group are between 10am and 1pm on at Sat Aug 22nd. Sat Sept 19th. Sat Oct 24th. We meet at the end of the tarmac "road" on Folly Lane playing field near the entrance to the wood. The activities depend on the time of year and what desperately wants doing. E.g. when the birds aren't nesting we get on with clearing the laurel and rhododendron, so that light gets in and the native species are not overwhelmed. You should have seen the bluebells this spring in the places we have cleared over the last 5 years. When the birds are nesting we concentrate on clearing the Himalayan balsam from the river banks, woods and verges. Litter picking is on-going and can be done at any time as it doesn't need a risk assessment!
We can provide bags, gloves and litter pickers. For further information contact Judith by email juderobins@hotmail.com or phone 02476 304341
Roads and Pavements
After last week’s good news re sections of Daventry and Exminster roads having a new top surface, a number of residents contacted us about roads and pavements in their area that are in need urgent repair work. See below replies from Rebecca Alcock Senior Street Inspector:
re Foresters Road Surface
I can confirm that I have been to site today and marked up two areas (approximately 14m in total) of the carriageway where the area level differences. This work has been raised on a Priority 2 schedule which means work will be complete within 40 working days. The Inspector for the area has already raised a highway condition form for the attention of our Technical Services team so that the road can be considered for a more extensive treatment in future years on our Forward Planning Programme.
re Cecily Road Pavements
Cecily Road is due for inspection towards the end of August.
There is already a highway condition form with our Technical Team and they have provisionally suggested it is treated with plane and patch in 16/17 although clearly this is subject to a variety of other qualifying criteria so is no means guaranteed at this stage.
I have raised a job for the paving slab to be replaced with tarmac on a priority 1.
re Michaelmas Road Pavements
I have inspected this today and it isn’t too bad. It is made to look worse because of the vehicle crossovers. There was only one intervention level defect outside no. 32 for which I raise raised a job today. As per usual the road will continue to be monitored and will be inspected annually.
Tollbar Island Update
From Alan Jones. Galliford Try:
In recent weeks, Galliford Try, working on behalf of Highways England, has lifted 8 beams each weighing 20 tonnes onto the two new bridges over the A46 and A45, which will form part of the new enlarged roundabout. Traffic is due to start running on the new east bridge on A46 on 28 August. Before then we have to increase part of the roundabout level by 800mm and install ducts and drains. We will be carrying out this work in a series of overnight closures commencing Monday 3 August evening and finishing at 6am Monday 17 August. During which there will be full closures of the A46 southbound from Binley Woods roundabout to Tollbar roundabout, and the A45 eastbound from Tollbar. A distance of approximately 1km will be closed from 8pm until 6am each night.
Traffic wishing to travel south on the A46 will be diverted off onto the A428 Binley Road until the junction with A4082 Allard Way where they will turn left. When road users arrive at Asda they should turn left on to B4110 London Road and then right onto Tollbar roundabout where the diversion ends. Traffic wishing to travel on the A45 east from Tollbar roundabout will drive on the westbound carriageway in single lane before being directed back onto the east bound section of the A45.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but these works are an essential piece of the project and bring us a step nearer completion. It is estimated that 2500 tonnes of surfacing material will be laid over the 14 nights. If you have any concerns please contact Alan Jones at alan.jones@gallifordtry.co.uk or 0800-028-5199. Alternatively, you can contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000
Events are free and you can download a programme at
www.imagineerproductions.co.uk.
Combined Authority? Find out more
Drop-in sessions for Coventry residents who want to find out more and have their say on a West Midlands combined authority will be taking place across the city next month.
The sessions – which will allow people to talk to Council officers and Councillors in an informal setting - will be held at five different venues in Coventry starting on 13 August.
The sessions will be held at the following venues between 11am and 3pm:
- 26 City Arcade (former Voluntary Action Coventry) Thursday 13 August, Friday 14 August and Saturday 15 August
- Wyken Community Centre, Westmoreland Road, Monday 17 August
- Allesley Community Centre, Winston Road, Wednesday 19 August
- St Paul's Church Hall, Foleshill Road, Tuesday 25 August
- Xcel Leisure Centre, Mitchell Avenue, Wednesday 26 August
Further information can be found at
Combined Authority Link
At the Cheylesmore Ward forum last Tuesday a vote was held on the following:
| In Coventry |
YES |
NO |
| Should there be a referendum about the Combined Authority? |
20 |
20 |
| Should Coventry be combined with Birmingham/ West Midlands |
17 |
|
| Should Coventry be combined with Warwickshire |
20 |
|
Several people chose to abstain.
Coventry is bidding to become UK City of Culture in 2021.
Take a look at how they're preparing for this at the
City of Culture 2021 website.
Death of Joe Richards
We are saddened to hear of the death of local green grocer Joe Richards. His shop, on the Daventry Road, is well used by many Cheylesmore residents. Joe was instrumental in calling for a ‘judicial review’ on the way Coventry Council had dealt with the original planning permission given for the Asda store on the Cheylesmore pub site. AND WON! Which resulted in the cancellation of the planning decision and Asda had to re-apply.
Joe also supported many children’s charities over the years. We send our condolences to his family.
2015 Annual Canvass to Register to Vote
Over the next two weeks every household will be receiving a ‘household enquiry form’ to register who is living at the property. All those, over 16 years old, who are currently registered at the property will already be printed on the form.
If details are correct you can let the council know by text, telephone call or by posting back the form. If changes need to be made they can be done by Email or sending back the amended form. This is only the second year of this new system so please read instructions carefully. If you are not registered, you will not be able to vote in the Elections.
Quinton Park Toilets
A petition was recently handed into the Council for the Council to provide toilets near to the Quinton Pools area. The current toilet building has been closed for over two years now due to rainwater getting into the electrics.
The Council has responded to the residents’ petition by issuing a report that will be discussed this Tuesday 4th August 10am in the committee rooms in the Council House. This meeting is open for the public to attend. See the report at
Item 7
The Beach Returns to Shelton Square
More info at
www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk
Getting out and about
Take your pick of free guided bike rides every Sunday from War Memorial Park, Coombe Abbey, Coventry Canal, the Sowe Valley and Kenilworth Greenway and more.
- Find a ride and book at www.goskyride.com/coventry
- Magic Mile: Come along to Longford Park at 10am on every third Sunday of the month, where people of all ages take part in a one mile route.
- Sign up now if you haven't come along to the event before, otherwise you can just turn up on the day.
- We also need people who take part to volunteer at this occasionally. If you're interested in volunteering, please let "Magic Mile" know.
Coombe Country Park events
Busy Bee Trail - 3-9 August, 10-4pm, £1 per trail
We want to celebrate some of the hardest workers in the park - the bees! This is a fun self-led trail for families.Navigate your way arond some of the bees' favourite hangouts in the park by solving the clues.
‘Don't miss’ events happening in Coventry
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 16th August 2pm – 3.30pm – Bands in the Park 2015. New Washboard Syncopators are playing at Longford Park, use Windmill Road entrance. Click
here for the full list of these free performances.
Sunday 16th August - London Road Cemetery tidy-up day. Meet at the Paxton Memorial at 10am. Click
here for the Friends’ of London Road Cemetery website.
And Finally … Howes Primary had a sneak preview of a major new city development as part of a move to link education and employment. See their
Site Visit
Useful Links.
Age UK Coventry - Trusted Traders Scheme
Blood test locations to download a document listing the locations
Cheylesmore Parking Scheme
Community Activity Directory
European Health Insurance Card
General Online Safety Tips & Advice
Government Services
Report Fly Tipping
Report Graffiti
Report a Missed Bin
Report a Pothole
Report a Street Light Fault
Scams & Warnings
