Residents' Update:
Sunday 9th October 2016
Dear All,
This week’s update includes:-
Revocation of Left Turn at Whitley Junction; Grit Bin Review; New Tiverton School at Whitley; Daintree Croft - Waiting Restrictions; Bins Not Emptied; Plea from Cheylesmore Community Centre; Changes to Bus Routes 2 & 3; Upcoming Works in our Area; Parking Permit – Persistence Pays!; A45/A46 Road Closures; Cheylesmore, Finham & Willenhall Libraries Events; Cheylesmore Ward Forum; Burial and Cremation Fees Set To Rise; Cycle Coventry news and events – October; World Mental Health Day; Stoptober comes to Coventry; Poetry Reading at Fargo Village; Local Democracy Week; Lessons They Don't Teach You in Class; Jump Start; Diary; Useful Links. And Finally
Revocation of Left Turn at Whitley Junction Northbound Off Slip Road
For months Roger has been highlighting the issue of the number of cars making an illegal left turn on Whitley Bridge. This problem is being solved by revoking the ‘Turn Right Only’ order.
From Ian Lewis Senior Programme Manager
Currently vehicles coming off the A444, up the off slip, can only turn right on to the over bridge. However a number of vehicles are turning left at the junction and we have been monitoring the situation for a period of time. The existing road geometry cannot be changed without impacting on the operation of the junction therefore we are proposing to remove the ban on the left turn (so drivers will be able to turn either left or right at this location) and provide additional road signs and markings to inform the drivers of the changes. The proposal to revise the junction will provide for better traffic management of the junction and control a situation that is taking place at present.
To remove the ‘no left turn’ we need to revoke the left turn ban, which requires a traffic regulation order (TRO) we will therefore be advertising this on 6th October, which will start the formal 21 day objection period.
Read more
This was Roger’s email upon receiving the news :
As you know we have been monitoring this ourselves and like you, have seen a lot of vehicles make the illegal left turn. It is actually both dangerous and is being used as a short cut to beat the traffic on the bypass, with drivers then cutting back into the queues.
But as it was built as a no left turn, I for one am not keen to see it used as a normal junction. That to me would seem to partly defeat the idea of the junction in the first place, which was to only allow vehicles to use the sliproad to visit either JLR or the sports centre and hotel.
Is there no other option?
Response from Ian Lewis
Good afternoon Councillor Bailey,
We have monitored the traffic at the junction and the left turning vehicles. It is clear that a number of scenarios exist with the traffic movements. A number of vehicles do use the left turn to gain access towards Daventry Road and into City approach which does remove the need to queue on the approach to the roundabout and thus increase the capacity for those queueing to turn towards London Road. There are also a number of vehicles, that for various reasons, enter the slip road in error and rather than drive into the JLR roundabout they proceed left and then rejoin the queue.
As the geometry of the junction provides two lanes of exit from JLR across the new bridge we cannot physically alter the road layout without having a detrimental effect on traffic capacity. The only option we have is to formalise the arrangement by providing additional signing and road markings and then adjusting the traffic signal timings to discourage any queue jumping.
Roger needs to hear your views on this proposal. Would you like him to raise a formal objection or do you think that it’s a good idea? Any objection must state the grounds on which it is made and must be forwarded by no later than 27th October 2016.
Here’s the council website with all the documents relating to this revocation
Grit Bin Review
Roger passed on a resident’s concerns was about the removal of one of their grit bins in Orchard Crescent. This is the response from Peter Ullah, Highways Operations Manager
Good Morning Cllr. Bailey,
As the resident has pointed out, there are currently 3 salt bins in this road when 1 will suffice. CH32 and CH33 both failed their individual assessments and combined with the position of CH10 cannot be justified.
I realise residents are often reluctant to use grit bins a little further away as they believe large quantities of salt need to be transported in order to work. This is not the case; the equivalent of a bag full of sugar is enough to grit 100m2 of road or pavement in normal frost / icy conditions.
New Tiverton School at Whitley
Doug, a local resident & representative of the Whitley Residents Association, attended lasts week’s cabinet meeting when the building of the New Tiverton School at Whitley was on the agenda. Here’s his email:
I decided to attend yesterday's Cabinet meeting in the belief, (now, apparently, misguided!), that I'd ensure that, as a Residents association, we were properly updated, as promised, of the rate at which the planning process wheels were turning in order to guarantee our input at critical points.
Imagine my extreme consternation on learning that, to all intents and purposes, we've missed the boat completely in relation to acquainting the 'powers that be' with our specific concerns, in particular with regard to traffic management.
I sat in a room with about thirty elected public servants who have no idea whatsoever of either the existence or import of our locally organised petition expressing the absolutely essential safety issues relating to the impending work and beyond. Read more
Email from Judith Applegarth, Assistant Programme Manager, Education Capital Strategy
The Cabinet decision was a bit faster than I even anticipated.
You mentioned the opportunity to talk for 3 minutes, this would have arisen if the planning application needed to go to Planning Committee. I have now found out that the application can be determined through delegated powers and it will not need to go to Committee. This is because there were less than 5 objections to the proposal. The outcome of the planning application will be announced before 20th October, so within the next couple of weeks.
Once we have the decision notice we can then apply to Natural England for a Low Impact Licence regarding the bat. There is then a 14 day period before we can proceed. Following that we will be able to commence the demolition. Ideally we would like to utilise the October half term (week commencing 24th October) but we await the formal planning decision. As part of the on-going ecology additional bat boxes will soon be put up on site.
After receiving this email from Doug, Roger contacted planning officers asking why the process was hurried through. A large petition had been raised to support residents’ arguments at a planning meeting where residents would have been given the opportunity to speak. He’s awaiting their response.
Daintree Croft - Waiting Restrictions
In our 10th July update we showed a map of the planned extension to the double yellow lines along the eastern side of Daintree Croft, to alleviate parking problems. The residents had originally been promised these lines in April 2014. However the long delays have been due to:
- The implementation of the residents parking scheme in Earlsdon & Cheylesmore
- The loss of staff
- The implementation of a new computer system for traffic regulation orders (TROs)
Update from Sara-Louise Allman, Traffic & Network Management:
The order becomes operational on 17th October, hopefully the lining will be completed before this date, but enforcement cannot take place before 17th.
Bins Not Emptied Behind the Shops on Quinton Park
After Roger’s intervention with respect to getting the bins emptied he received this response:
Dear Cllr Bailey
All bins emptied on Saturday - thank you for your help
I agree with your comment - Council Officers/ residents need to sort this out - who is the council’s point of contact please?
Thank you again for your help
Plea from Cheylesmore Community Centre
Paul, the manager of Cheylesmore Community Centre, has sent out this plea to all facebook users:
Please help us to complete our new Main Entrance by voting for Cheylesmore Community Centre. One of five West Midlands community centres will get a free makeover, courtesy of British Gas Local Heroes.
The winning centre will be selected based on the number of votes they receive before the closing date on the 16th October.
Here are the links
to the website and
the Facebook page where it is being hosted.
Thanks to British Gas Local Heroes for entering us into the competition.
Changes to Bus Routes 2 & 3
From Martin Hancock, Development Director, National Express Bus:
We will be linking the Allesley Park 23 route with the current services 2 and 3 which serve Cheylesmore / Fenside to create routes 23 & 23A.
This provides an additional cross city route and we will be operating the service with modern single deck vehicles identical to the ones currently on the 2 and 3.
I have attached the official timetable. We will be producing some customer friendly information but feel free to distribute the attachment.
Upcoming Works in our Area
Porlock Close – 21st November to 5th December. Footway works by Coventry City Council
Parking Permit – Persistence Pays!
Roger has just received this from a resident:
Hi Roger,
I recently applied for a paper visitor parking permit. You may be interested in the response I got from the parking company somewhere in Wiltshire...
First I was told emphatically that Coventry do not issue paper permits, only virtual ones are available. I pressed them on this point and after consultation with a colleague the agent agreed that paper permits were available. The agent then insisted that the paper permit must have a Vehicle registration number on it - again I pressed the point and after a further consultation it was agreed that I could in fact obtain a paper visitor permit. It was only your weekly email update that gave me the confidence to press on and not give up on the whole process. Thank you.
A45/A46 Tollbar Improvement Scheme Road Closures:
From Alan Jones, Galliford Try
A45 Stonebridge Highway
The A45 Stonebridge Highway
eastbound will be closed between Stivichall junction and Tollbar roundabout.
- 1 night on 10 October from 8pm until 6am the following morning.
The closure is needed to allow us to carry out carriageway surface testing works.
See diversion map
The A45 Stonebridge Highway
westbound will be closed between Tollbar roundabout and Stivichall junction.
- 1 night on 11 October from 8pm until 6am the following morning.
The closure is needed to allow us to carry out carriageway surface testing works.
See diversion map
A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass
The A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass southbound will be closed between Binley Woods roundabout and Tollbar roundabout. Lanes will also be closed on both carriageways of A45 London Road, Rowley Road, Siskin Drive and the southern section of the Tollbar roundabout during this time.
- 3 nights from 13 October to 15 October from 8pm until 6am the following morning.
The closures are needed to allow us to carry out carriageway surfacing.
See diversion map
Cheylesmore, Finham & Willenhall Libraries Events
Cheylesmore Library Website
Finham Library Website
Willenhall Library Website
Cheylesmore Ward Forum
The next meeting of the Cheylesmore Ward Forum will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, 18 October, 2016 at Howes Primary School, Palermo Avenue, Coventry CV3 5EF
The agenda will be displayed
here in the week before the meeting.
Roger & his fellow ward councillors have fought hard to keep ward forums going in our area, while many other wards no longer have one. They believe it is an important way of keeping residents up-to-date on what is going on and giving them the chance to raise questions. Please prove to the council that you do value this opportunity to listen to and question council officers and councillors about their future plans.
Burial and Cremation Fees Set To Rise
Read more
Cycle Coventry news and events - October
World Mental Health Day
Read more about the support available at the library
Stoptober comes to Coventry
Read more
Poetry Reading at Fargo Village
On Saturday 15th October, 1pm to 3pm, Emilie Lauren Jones, local resident & author, will be giving a poetry reading at the Big Comfy Bookshop at Fargo Village.
Read more
Local Democracy Week - giving young people an insight into local democracy
Read more
16‐17 Years Old? Sign Up For Lessons They Don't Teach You in Class
Read more
Jump Start
Read more
Notes from the Editor
- Our updates are sent out every Sunday. The only exception to this is over Christmas. If you stop receiving them then please check your Spam or Junk Folder, as your email server may have directed them there by mistake.
- Our Website address is www.cheylesmoreward.wix.com/teamcheylesmore. It contains our previous updates, parking scheme information & notices. It's best viewed on a laptop or PC.
- Why do I see empty boxes in this email? Our emails include many pictures which often contain important information. Some email systems don’t automatically display pictures. To read as intended, please click on “View it in your browser” which is in the top right hand corner of all our emails.
- If you would like to advertise your event here then please email cheylesmore.ward@gmail.com
Dates for your Diary
Every Monday 12.15 to 1.30 (term time only) - lunch Cheylesmore community centre prepared by adults with learning difficulties as part of their Adult Education learning programme.
Every Wednesday 12:30-3:00 – lunch at Christ Church (7 Frankpledge Road). Two course meal for £4.00. Transport available for £2.00. Advance booking required by calling the Church Office at: 024 7650 2770 or via:
http://christchurchcov.net/.
Saturday 15th October - Sowe Valley Whitley Grove Woods Group tidy-up day. Meet at the end of the tarmac "road" on Folly Lane playing field near the entrance to the wood at 10am. They can provide bags, gloves and litter pickers. For more information email
juderobins@hotmail.com or phone 02476 304341
Sunday 16th October - London Road Cemetery tidy-up day. Meet at the Paxton Memorial at 10am. Click
here for the Friends of London Road Cemetery website.
Wednesday 19th October from 12pm - Central Library will be holding ‘One Big Thing’ event which will feature stalls, information and activities to support health and fitness
Tuesday 15th November 2016 3pm – 5.30pm - Connecting Communities at Cheylesmore Community Centre to discuss family hubs & libraries.
More information
And Finally Look at ‘
How stress affects your brain’
Useful Links and Phone Numbers
Age UK Coventry - Trusted Traders Scheme
Blood test locations to download a document listing the locations
Cheylesmore Parking Scheme Email:
parkingenforcement@coventry.gov.uk
Check if a Vehicle is Taxed
Check the MOT history of a vehicle
Community Activity Directory
Coventry Independent Advice Service
Crime Rates in the area
Disposal of Large or Bulky items
Dropped Kerb Information
European Health Insurance Card
General Online Safety Tips & Advice
Government Services
Local Neighbourhood Police Team
Noise Nuisance
Refuse Collection Information
Report Problematic Drinking to the Council
Report Fly Tipping
Report Graffiti
Report a Missed Bin
Report a Pothole
Report a Street Light Fault
Report Untaxed and Abandoned Vehicles
Road Works
Samaritans
Scams & Warnings
School Closures
Which Consumer Rights -
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/l/online-scams
Cyber Streetwise -
https://www.cyberstreetwise.com/
Action Fraud -
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-a-fraud/how-to-report-a-fraud
Parking Enforcement phone numbers
Misuse of a visitor pass - 024 7683 4367
Not sure a car has a permit 024 7683 4367
Change virtual visitors pass registration number - 0345 520 7007
Buy a new permit virtual & paper - 0345 520 7007
Query the status of a PCN (Penalty Charge Notices) - 024 7683 3400
Roger’s secretary - 024 7683 1101
