I was very sorry to see the Club at Tuffley Park close earlier this year, when the company running it went into liquidation. I sympathise with anyone who lost money through cancelled events.

I have been in regular contact with the city council, who own the building, about its future. There has been much interest from local firms, charities and organisations in taking it over.

I am adamant that the tenant who takes this on will need to run it as a genuine community resource. I would expect to work proactively with them, as well as the excellent Friends of Tuffley Park 🌳 to bring the Club on and embed them in the Podsmead community.

At the moment the council are still responding to questions from interested parties, and once these are answered they will be convening a panel to review the shortlisted applicants. I hope to be a part of this panel as the local city councillor.

The building needs some repairs due to the recent bad weather and being empty for so long, so it unlikely to be open until the new year.

I will continue to work proactively with the council to bring this valuable community resource back into use as soon as possible.

As always I have been active reporting the issues that matter on behalf of Podsmead residents.

They include:

Chasing up the city council over the damaged bin on Scott Avenue 🔜

Requesting a resurface for Eliot Close 🕳️🤞🏻

Reporting fly-tipping to the landowner in Burns Avenue ♻️

Asking for the leaves to be swept on Tuffley Avenue 🍁

Reporting highways issues at Redwood Close and Keats Avenue 🕳️

Checking on the repair of the minor sinkhole in Tennyson Avenue 🕳️ 👍🏻

As ever if I can help with any problem, big or small, let me know:

How to contact me

After residents contacted me about the new traffic calming scheme on Tuffley Avenue, I have been liaising with the Highways manager for the area and raising my concerns.

One point I have mentioned several times is that traffic is building up around the entrance to Newark Road, as there is a buildout and speed bump installed very near to the exit/entrance from Newark onto Tuffley Avenue.

Residents have found it very difficult to get out of their road, especially in the mornings.

The county council have agreed with me and the residents that a KEEP CLEAR box is needed and this will be carried out in the new year.

Christmas shoppers in Gloucester can enjoy an early Christmas present with parking for free this December to help support city centre businesses.

Gloucester City Council is helping to encourage shoppers to support local and independent retailers in the run up to Christmas by offering free parking after 3pm on Thursdays.

The offer will apply to the Eastgate Shopping Centre and Kings Walk Shopping Centre car parks which have over 600 spaces between them. The free parking will allow shoppers not to feel rushed and to enjoy late-night shopping too.

Also to celebrate Small Business Saturday and to back Gloucester’s wealth of independent businesses, three car parks will be free all day on Saturday, 2 December – Westgate Street, Station Road and Hare Lane North Car Park. 

Gloucester BID will also launch its Reindeer Trail as part of Small Business Saturday, to help shoppers to get into the festive mood and will also be bringing out a new map showing people where Gloucester’s unique and thriving independent shops can be found.

Please join Gaudeamus on Saturday 11th November in Discover DeCrypt for what will be a very moving concert.

There will be a short silence at 11 o clock and then the concert will begin.

During the concert we will remember loved ones by reading out their names.

Please let us know if you would like a name read out.

As part of the series Gloucester Coffee Concerts at Discover DeCrypt

I have been busy reporting and taking action on a number of issues in Podsmead this week:

🪧reported street signs for repair

📞contacted Crypt School over parking concerns after a recent event

⌨️ reported fly-tipping in Burns Avenue

🌳 met with the council tree officer and section 106 officer to discuss Podsmead

📝met with residents and took note of their concerns, in order to help them with agencies

💡 further pressed a housing company to restore street lighting in a Podsmead street

If I can ever help with an issue, please contact me

How to contact me

Stagecoach have announced in November: As part of an ongoing commitment to recognise our armed forces, we’re offering free travel to veterans, cadets and military personnel on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.  You can travel for free on most Stagecoach operated services on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November 2023 if you’re a veteran wearing your medals or veteran’s badge. This offer extends to serving personnel and cadets who are wearing uniform or have proof of military ID.

I have written to the local Highways manager about the condition of Lower Tuffley Lane in Podsmead. Currently this important business route is full of potholes.

Whilst I have been told that the road is not yet on a schedule for resurfacing as it does not score highly (badly) enough to be there, I have reported the potholes which will trigger a fresh inspection.

I will continue to press for this road and others in Podsmead to receive attention.

If you know of any roads that need attention in our area, please let me know.

How to contact me

Halloween and trick or treating are not for everyone so please make use of this poster if you do not want your door to be knocked.

There is a minor sinkhole on Tennyson Avenue.

I have reported it to Highways and they have agreed to fill it.

Nearby, Gloucester City Homes are working on a sinkhole in a garden and this is due to be resolved soon.

Please let me know of any potholes in our area.

How to contact me