Residents' Update:
Sunday 23rd October 2016

If a link in this update fails to open then please try again later.

Some of the documents are stored on Google Drive, which along with many other sites like Amazon & Netflix have come under cyber-attack, meaning that their systems have been overloaded with fake demands so they can’t react to genuine requests for information.

This week’s update includes:- Daventry Road Shops - Disabled Bays; Whitley Residents’ Meeting 2nd November; Revocation of Left Turn; Cheylesmore Ward Forum; Car Without Number Plates in Residents Parking Scheme Area; Crossing Warden at Manor Park School; Bins Behind the Shops on Quinton Park; Travis Perkins - Light Pollution; Whitley Junction/ Whitley Roundabout; Cheylesmore Community Centre; Whitley Local History Group; Coventry - Alcohol-free Zone?; Upcoming Works in our Area; West Midlands Police 2020; London Road Cemetery Restoration; Folly Fields - Clown Masks; Willenhall Library; Tollbar Improvement Scheme Road Closures; Fire Cadets - Opportunities for Youngsters; Baginton Parish Council Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan; Just the Job for Cov Kids; Apprentice of the Year Awards; Businesses warned over bogus Licensing Officer visits; Students in Coventry; Diary; Useful Links. And Finally

Daventry Road Shops - Disabled Bays
Further response from Sara-Louise Allman, Traffic & Network Management with respect to the reduction of Disabled Bays at Daventry Road Shops

The lining crew will be installing another disabled parking bay in the same area when they can gain access. It would appear that the original plan only shows 2 disabled bays, whereas there should be 3.
Hopefully this will be completed soon.

Whitley Residents’ Meeting 2nd November at 7pm
The next Whitley Residents’ meeting will take place 2nd November at 7pm at the Whitley Community Centre.
Agenda:

Tiverton School
Severn Trent Site
Whitley Business Park & JLR issues

Outstanding Tiverton School issues raised at last week’s Ward Forum:

Safe access and egress considerations in relation to the site, before, during and after building.
Adequate provision of drop off/pick-up points along with ample parking for staff and visitors in order to alleviate nearby street usage.
Security factors for necessary peace of mind for immediate neighbours.

Revocation of Left Turn Whitley Junction Northbound Off Slip Road
Roger has received many emails with respect to this proposed change.

There have been mixed responses, with the majority wanting it kept as it is

Cheylesmore Ward Forum
Last week the Cheylesmore ward forum took place. It is now one of only four in the city still being held.
Agenda items:

Alan Jones from Galliford Try gave us a presentation on Tollbar Island and said that the major works are due to be finished before Christmas.
A presentation on Whitley South was shown containing images on what elements of the development could look like.
Sergeant Stuart Randal presented the Police 2020 project – see below.
David Lloyd & Rachel Speake from Library Services explained about the changes taking place in our libraries.
Local campaigner and Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, Hazel Hill, gave updates on what is happening around the Leaf Lane area.
Doug & Rod from the Whitley Residents Association read a statement in regards to the new Tiverton School site, giving us their thoughts on the situation.

Attendance was sadly low and it would be helpful to see more people coming along for the next meeting, otherwise we will lose the Cheylesmore Ward Forum.

Car Without Number Plates in Residents Parking Scheme Area

A frustrated resident living in a residents parking scheme area appealed on the facebook group ‘Love Cheylesmore’ for help in getting a car removed. The car had no registrations plates and was parking all day in their street. An exchange of suggestions from concerned residents and Roger took place.

Roger has been very involved with the residents parking scheme and so contacted the officers responsible for parking.

Once the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car had been identified the Police became more involved and encouraged the owner to obtain replacement plates.

We’ve now been informed that the vehicle has number plates.

Crossing Warden at Manor Park School
Roger said that it’s good to see that a crossing warden, which Manor Park School pays for, be put back onto the Daventry Road. Many children attending Manor Park School, in Ulverscroft Road, cross at this busy junction. The person is being relocated from their current position which is outside the school. This change is as a result of talks between parents and staff at the school, so full credit to all those involved.

From an officer in Coventry City Council -
“Thanks for your email. Earlier in the year, Manor Park School requested that we temporarily move the Patrol to work at a vacant site outside of school. They have now requested that the Patrol operates back at her original site on Daventry Road/ Ulverscroft Road. The Patrol is moving back on Monday 31 October after the half term holiday and parents at the school have been informed. I hope that this is useful and if you require further information, don’t hesitate to contact me.”

As reported in our 24th April update, Roger worked with the Police and Coventry City Council with respect to the problems and dangers caused by parents when dropping off and picking up children from school, which is an issue that affects many schools in the city. He also helped setup the initial meeting between parents and the school.

Bins Behind the Shops on Quinton Park - Update

Last week, Roger and officers visited residents living in the flats above the Quinton Park Shops to discuss issues with collection of rubbish from the bins located to the rear. There have been problems with:

access for the bin lorry due to badly parked cars
people using the wrong bins for their rubbish which resulted in bins not being emptied.

These problems have been occurring for a long time.

A proposed solution is to replace the single property bins with community bins, thus saving space and reducing the confusion as to which bin to use.

Travis Perkins - Light Pollution
Hazel Hill, a local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator has sent us this
Received 17th October
Dear Roger
I rang Ian Bell today to follow up our last conversation.
He stated that the lights were fitted as per planning requirements. Since my last email I have found, from the planning portal, that these floodlights should be set at a 45 degree angle so I am not convinced.
However Mr Bell has assured me that these offending lights will be SWITCHED OFF on Thursday this week I.e. 20th October 2016. I asked what would happen when the warehouse becomes operational in 4-5 months time. He said that he would be looking into the possibility of changing the angle, hooding or even changing the actual light fittings!

Received 20th October
Dear Roger
Just to let you know, Ian Bell from Travis Perkins did come over this morning and switched off some lights but…. they are worse than ever tonight! Have let him know and sent some more photos as he asked. He will come again, possibly at night, and hopefully by early next week.

Whitley Junction/ Whitley Roundabout
A resident passed us this response with respect to correspondence that he’d had with Ian Lewis, regarding the work still outstanding at the Whitley Junction/ Whitley Roundabout
From Ian Lewis, Senior Programme Manager:
The scheme itself is in the majority complete. Works to complete a landscaping scheme is still remaining, however it has to be considered the time of year when we would plant to ensure that all items would grow and not die off from seasonal changes in weather. The landscaping works were removed from the main package of works provided to the contractor and will be delivered by a specialist contractor - this was as a result of a review on the elements of delivery and specification. There are no planned changes to the road layout at the roundabout and these were removed from the scheme during the initial stages of the works. Remedial works to areas of the scheme will be undertaken to repair and reinstate elements that the contractor is contractually bound to do so.

Any proposed works at Festival Roundabout would primarily be subject to review by Highways England, formerly the Highways Agency, however as local highway authority we would also be consulted as part of any planning applications. This would also apply to South Coventry or any large development that has the potential to impact on the public highway.

Cheylesmore Community Centre – the results
From Community Centre Administrator:
Sadly, we did not win the vote for the free makeover but many thanks once again to Local Heroes UK for entering us in to the competition and giving us the chance.
Many congratulations to Compton Hospice. We wish you all the best.
A huge thanks to our users and all that voted for us.

Whitley Local History Group

Whitley Local History Group was formed in 2004. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ibis Coventry South Hotel in Abbey Road. Meetings start at 7pm.

As a group we have:

installed a commemorative plaque on Whitley Abbey Bridge;
created a memorial for the bomb disposal team who gave their lives to protect the people of Coventry;
installed a plaque in St James Church to commemorate the soldiers from Whitley who died in the First World War.

We have had a variety of speakers over the years, some concerned with local Whitley history, but others on more general historical subjects, including aircraft, costume, canals, Victorian crimes, and the First World War.

On Tuesday 1st November, we will be having a talk by group member Bill Sutton entitled "Digging for Mother`s roots". Bill explains "I will tell the story of tracing her family lines from pre-computer days right up to the present day. I have lots of old pictures dating back to the 1850s and there will be a few scandals and mysteries at the end”.

The group meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ibis Coventry South Hotel in Abbey Road. Please come and support your local history group. You can be sure of a very warm welcome!

Coventry - Alcohol-free Zone?
At full Council Roger asked why nothing can be found on the Council website about Coventry being an alcohol-free zone.

Responses from Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:
A City wide Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) was introduced in Coventry from the 1st October 2006. The DPPO gives the Police extra powers to tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, including the power to request a person to desist from drinking in the area and to require the surrender to them of any alcohol in an open or sealed container. The Police have the discretion as to whether to exercise these powers or not as these powers are not intended to be used for example where a family may be having a quiet picnic in the park and the parents may be consuming alcohol.

Further to your written question concerning alcohol-free zones and your supplementary question on this matter, I can confirm that I have asked Officers to publicise information/data on this subject on the Council’s website.

The Communications Team have agreed to co-ordinate this with the relevant departments.

Upcoming Works or Road Closures in our Area
Quinton Park (jct of Daventry Road to jct of Cecily Road) until 13th January 2017 – Road closure & diversion. Reason BT/ Conley Utilities works

Daventry Road (from Queen Isabels Ave to Cecily Road) until 28th October - 3 way lights -manual control 7-7. Reason large diameter gas main works by Balfour Beatty

Humphrey Burtons Road (jct Leamington Rd to The Hiron) 22nd to 24th October - Stop/Go Boards. Reason Over banding carriageway by Balfour Beatty

Porlock Close – 21st November to 5th December. Footway works by Coventry City Council

Tonbridge Road (o/s 128) 5th December to 13th January - 3 way lights. Reason replacement of gas mains by Balfour Beatty.

West Midlands Police 2020
At the Ward Forum, police Sergeant Stuart Randal explained some of the changes taking place over the coming months as part of WMP2020

Cheylesmore’s neighbourhood team will be linked with Willenhall & Binley. Our new Sergeant will be Tony Ashton
Greater use of new technology: Smart phones & body cameras for Officers, people will be able to report crimes online and track the progress, One stop support shop website.
Intervention & Prevention
24/7 support for officers from the force’s Intelligence department
Introduction of Force Support
Support fund which communities can bid for, to help create projects and schemes which will improve people’s lives.

For more details of the above read page 1, pages 2 & 3 and page 4.

London Road Cemetery Restoration

Coventry’s historic London Road Cemetery is set to be given a new lease of life following the appointment of a landscape design specialist to undertake design work to support its £1m refurbishment.

The Grade I listed cemetery was created by celebrated designer Joseph Paxton in 1845 and the work is being carried out following a grant award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
IDP Landscape, a division of Coventry-based architectural and urban design practice IDP, has been awarded the contract to oversee the latest stage of the site’s transformation.
Stage one of the HLF funded plan set an overview for the refurbishment project and now greater design detail will be added working alongside local stakeholders such as the Friends of London Road Cemetery. Read more

Folly Fields - Clown Masks

Taken from Whitley Residents’ facebook page:

I know it's not a great picture but 2 idiots wearing clown masks just chased my son's friends across folly field. The kids were scared witless. They think they were teenagers by their size and the way they were dressed. They went back off towards Willenhall when they had scared my son's friends as one one of them had hurt himself falling over when chasing the boys. If you know anyone who is doing this please spread the word that it's not funny. Our kids are now not allowed to play on folly fields. What if they chase a kid into the road?

Willenhall Library - early signs encouraging

Read more

A45/A46 Tollbar Improvement Scheme Road Closures:
From Alan Jones, Galliford Try:
A45 Stonebridge Highway
The A45 Stonebridge Highway westbound will be closed between Tollbar roundabout and Stivichall junction:

5 nights from Monday 24 to Friday 28 October from 8pm until 6am the following morning.

The closure is needed to complete the installation of bridge expansion joints across the carriageway.
The diversion map and route for the westbound carriageway closure is here.

Fire Cadets - Opportunities for Youngsters
Fire Cadets meet at:

Binley Station every Thursday night from 6.30pm to 9pm;
Radford Station every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 9pm;
Foleshill Station every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 9pm - which is particularly dedicated to young people with learning disabilities.

All branches have civilian instructors who volunteer their own time and receive directly relevant training. Binley Fire Cadets have both civilian instructors and three operational fire-fighters who all began as Cadets themselves. Transport is provided by the Fire Service and instructors have the relevant training to drive the vehicles.

To apply to join enquire at any Fire Station or consult; https://www.wmfs.net/contact-us/ or telephone; 0845 5000 900.

Baginton Parish Council Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan

Read more

Apprentice of the Year Awards 2016

Read more

Data and Insights about Students in Coventry

There were a total of 52,230 students enrolled in 2014/15 at Coventry University and The University of Warwick; of these 40,060 are full-time students.
The number of full-time students at both universities has increased greatly over the 10 year period from 25,650 in 2004/5 to 2014/15. Higher growth has been seen at Coventry University. The growth rate amongst overseas students from outside of the EU has been particularly high at Coventry University.

Residents' Update: Sunday 23rd October 2016

Residents' Update:
Sunday 23rd October 2016