I reported the manhole cover by the bus shelter on Tuffley Avenue, as it was loose, and vehicles were making a noise when driving over it. It was irritating for residents.
I am pleased that this has now been fixed. I am taking action all across Podsmead.
Recently there has been attempted car breaks in the area. Offenders are trying car door handles. So please make sure you lock your car, especially at night time. Other top tips include:
• Close all windows and your sun roof.
• Don’t leave any valuables on view in the vehicle, this includes ruck sacks, jackets and sports bags.
• If possible, park in well-lit areas and busy streets, including under or near lamp posts.
• Think about getting a steering wheel lock.
Message Sent By
Mike Edwards (Police, PCSO, Gloucester)
I took action over this leaning bollard on Tuffley Avenue and it will now be righted by the county council.
If you know of any more leaning or damaged bollards in our area please let me know.
Phishing remains the most successful attack vector for cyber criminals targeting individuals and businesses.
Cyber criminals love phishing. Unfortunately, this is not a harmless riverbank pursuit. When criminals go phishing, you are the fish and the bait is usually contained in a scam email or text message. The criminal’s goal is to convince you to click on the links within their scam email or text message, or to give away sensitive information (such as bank details). These messages may look like the real thing but are malicious. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords.
As of 30 April 2021, over 5.8 million emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The tool, which was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police last April, allows the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans it for malicious links. Since its launch, over 43,000 scams and 84,000 malicious websites have been removed.
What are the most common phishing scams?
The most commonly spoofed organisation reported in phishing emails was TV Licensing, with victims of these emails reporting losses totalling £5.3m. The majority of losses occurred as a result of victims following malicious links in the emails and inputting their personal information into what they thought was the legitimate TV Licensing website. Shortly after, they would receive a call from criminals impersonating bank staff who was able to convince them that their bank accounts were compromised and persuaded them to transfer all of their money to a new ‘safe’ account. Some of the other most commonly impersonated organisations included HMRC and DVLA. We also received more than 40,000 suspicious email reports relating to COVID-19.
How you can protect yourself from phishing messages.
Fake emails and text messages can sometimes be difficult to spot and criminals are constantly getting better at finding ways to make them seem more authentic. Email address spoofing, for example, is just one of the tactics criminals will use to try and make their fake emails look real. Here are some tips you should follow to protect yourself, and others, from scam emails and text messages:
1: Be cautious of messages asking for your personal information. Official organisations, such as your bank, should never ask you for personal or financial information via email or text message. If you receive a message and you want to check that it’s legitimate, you can call the organisation directly using a known number, such as the one on a bank statement or utility bill.
2: Report suspicious emails. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you should report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Your reports will help government and law enforcement agencies to remove malicious emails and websites.
3: Report suspicious text messages. If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge and enables your mobile network provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.
4: Report fraud. If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, please visit: actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime
As you may be aware, National Grid are currently carrying out some initial routine site investigation works on the former gasworks site on Bristol Road, Gloucester.
The site investigation works are looking for evidence of the former gas works. Once identified, the findings from these site investigation works will be used to inform a planning application National Grid anticipate submitting to Gloucester City Council in September/October 2021. This will be an application to carry out remediation work to clean up the land and remove materials associated with the site’s former use as a gasworks so the unused land can be put back into beneficial use. Local residents will have recently received a letter from National Grid setting out the process in more detail.
National Grid are working to the rough timetable below. The dates are subject to the timings of the planning application and are therefore subject to change.
Mid-May 2021
Site investigation and surveys (3 weeks duration on site)
June 2021
Progressing remediation design
September/October 2021
Submit planning application for the remediation works.
February/March/April 2022
Subject to consents, remediation work on site
Summer 2022
Completion of work on site
If you have any questions about this project, please call the Community Relations team between 9am and 6pm Mondayto Friday on 0800 1448 904 or email NGLPCommunityRelations@camargue.uk.
Works are likely to commence in Milton Avenue in the next few months.
Part of the plan involves using soil from the Homleigh Park project, which is located near to Podsmead, in the Grange ward.
Start times are dependent on when the main contract is awarded for the works, and of course other factors such as weather conditions and the contractor schedules.
Below is a brief summary from the council on what is proposed:
‘Tenders have been received for the works as part of the larger Holmleigh project and are being evaluated.
Part of the works will be to use the soil from Holmleigh to reduce the channel steepness off Woodpecker Road and provide a drain at the base of the infill. This will allow easier access for maintenance of that area in the long run.
A short length of footpath is to be provided. The latest drawing is attached.
These works will hopefully commence in the coming months.
The council are aiming to carry out a localised letter drop at the end of May/beginning of June informing residents of these works.
The wider site, including the wildflower seeding, bulb and tree planting will be undertaken in autumn/ winter of this year (in the appropriate planting seasons). This will include the reed forebay in the pond that will aid with pollution dispersion.’
As ever these plans are subject to revision. You can find out more about the ESIF projects here. Feedback and comments can be sent to urban.greening@gloucester.gov.uk, heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk or to me at sebastian.field@gloucester.gov.uk.
I am looking forward to working with the community to deliver this project for Podsmead.
There will be a return of the Not So Secret Book Club on Tuesday June 1st.
This will be on Robinswood Hill, and we are hopeful of another event in Podsmead before long.
There are events ongoing in the city such as the rabbit book trail.
And another event at Robinswood Hill.
There is a youth café in the Podsmead Big Local Hub on Saturday 5th June.
Longer range there is the Club at Tuffley Park’s 2nd birthday family fun day on Saturday 26th June.
If you want me to publicise your event on my channels please let me know the details and I will try to help.
A number of highways issues have now been completed in Newark Road.
I reported these recently and am pleased they have now been done.
If you spot any highways issues in your area please let me know.
Gloucestershire County Council is gearing up for some major resurfacing work in the south of the city during July. Over 3km of road is due to get a new surface on Bristol Road and the A38 Southern Connector, Gloucester.
Both schemes planned for the area will take place at the same time, aiming to reduce the amount of time major roads on the network are closed. The work will take place at night, with the roads reopening during the day, but it’s a good idea to plan your journey before you set off. A signed diversion suitable for all vehicles including HGVs will be in place.
Businesses known to operate overnight near the scheme have had an advance warning email giving planned details and dates of the work to help them organise deliveries around the closures. Residents in the area will also receive detailed information nearer the time, and all information will be available on the county council’s website.
Kath Haworth, head of highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said, “It’s important that we give everyone as much notice as possible of major road works to help them to plan ahead, for example we know some deliveries can take place outside of normal opening hours. We fully appreciate that any road closures are inconvenient but we need to resurface roads to ensure they’re safe and in the best condition they can be. This is also the best long term way of dealing with potholes.”
All work is overnight between 7pm to 7am.
Bristol Road/Cole Avenue Junction will be closed between Thursday 8 July and Friday 23 July (excluding weekends) and Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.
A38 Southern Connector closed in sections between Tuesday 29 June and Friday 23 July (excluding weekends) and Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.
The A38 Southern Connector sections are planned as follows:
Maps are available to help picture how this very large scheme will take place. The start and end dates are planned and could change, so keep an eye on our webpage or the signs on site for any short notice changes.
Businesses which need to get in touch with the team can email highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Follow Gloucestershire County Council’s highways teams on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date with road works near you.
There are some spaces left for the next FREE Family event at Robinswood Hill, but the last 3 ‘sold out’ quickly so do book soon:
https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events
Please note it is only necessary to book for each child attending – adults do not need a space. This is to manage the number of packs created.
If you decide not to attend please cancel your place to allow another family to sign up.