This road sign near the Old Log Pond, Bristol Road, was damaged a few weeks back. I have been in touch with highways who confirm it is earmarked for repair very soon.

A city councillor is campaigning to have a bus shelter installed at a bus stop on the Bristol Road in Gloucester.

Councillor Sebastian Field is calling for the shelter to be erected by the Costa coffee shop at the Old Log Pond on Bristol Road.

He says it is an important route into Gloucester and passengers waiting for buses at this stop would benefit from a shelter to keep the wind and rain out.

He has written to the county council and had a favourable response from the Integrated Transport Unit.

They said that while there was ‘unfortunately… no developer condition to install a new bus shelter serving the Log Pond’ and therefore there are no funds being held over for installation, they agreed that because ‘the majority of Bristol Road bus stops are supplied with shelters’ there is ‘no reason to exclude this stop, especially since it benefits from a real time passenger electronic  display’.

The officer added: ‘I am therefore happy to add your request to my list and will do my best to action this financial year.’

Councillor Field said: “I am hopeful that the funds can be found for this shelter, as it is very much needed. 

“I have used this bus stop myself to get the bus into the city for work, and I know from personal experience that it can be quite miserable waiting for a bus in the freezing cold and rain. 

“The wind can really whip around the corner at that location. 

“It would be a positive step for customers at the Old Log Pond, and residents, to have a shelter here.”

The next step will be for the transport infrastructure officer to visit the site and take measurements to see what is possible.

Councillor Field added: “I have thanked the officer for their favourable initial response and offered to meet them at the site if required. 

“I will continue to campaign for better bus services and infrastructure for Podsmead.”

I asked the city council to repair this damaged street sign on Ramsdale Road and it was done very swiftly. Apart from some damage to the paintwork it looks pretty good.

Replacing the whole sign would probably have been unnecessary and wasteful.

If you know of any other signs in our area that need attention please let me know.

I received the following email from the county council department responsible for bus stops and shelters:

Good morning Cllr Field,

Unfortunately there was no developer condition to install a new bus shelter serving the Log Pond so we are not holding any funds for install. That being said the majority of Bristol Road bus stops are supplied with shelters and I see no reason to exclude this stop especially since it benefits from a real time passenger electronic display. I am therefore happy to add your request to my list and will do my best to action this financial year. The first step will be for me to visit and take some measurements to see exactly what is possible. From memory the location itself should be able to accommodate a shelter at the back of the footway providing we are careful not to compromise footway width for pedestrians or obscure visibility from Log Pond access. Will keep you posted.

****

Although this is not a guarantee, I am hopeful that the money might be found, and a shelter can be installed here. I will update residents as soon as I have more news.

I am always happy to hear from local people, community groups, charities and projects if they have something they need publicising. I am especially keen to hear about Podsmead events and groups.

I have an email newsletter which goes to local residents who have signed up for it. You can join my mailing list here.

I am on social media as well, and can reach a good number of people via Facebook (Sebastian Field – Gloucester) and Instagram (sebastianfieldgloucester).

I am also always keen to help promote businesses in Podsmead, so if you would like me to come and see your business, do let me know.

There is a recruitment event for emergency services volunteers on Saturday 22nd April, 10.30am-3pm at the Mariners Church at the Docks.

The city council have renewed the councillor community fund for all the council wards in Gloucester. This means an allocation of £750 per councillor, to support community projects.

Last year, I supported three projects or community groups:

• 1: Read with Me literacy project – working with local children
• 2: Tuffley Rovers – pitch repairs at Glevum Park
• 3: Poets Pantry food support.

If you have an idea for something you’d like supporting, let me know.

From the city council: ‘The fund can be allocated to support projects or activities that benefit the communities within your ward boundaries. Examples include startup costs for a community group, purchase of play equipment or the installation of a bench seat in a public space.’

There are terms of reference for the funding, so it’s best to drop me an email to sebastian.field@gloucester.gov.uk and let me know your ideas. There is a couple of small bits of paperwork that each applicant will need to fill in.

There is an open training session at Gloucester Athletics Club this Saturday, 2.30pm at Blackbridge Jubilee Athletics Track, Podsmead. You can book your place by emailing enquiries@gloucesterac.co.uk.

I’ve asked the council who is responsible for this rusted metal box on Shakespeare Avenue. It needs making safe.

We’re reaching out regarding an upcoming fundraising event in aid of Read With Me. We are an organisation that offers one to one reading time to children in Gloucestershire, twice a week, to improve their literacy skills. Currently 200,000 children leave primary school every year unable to read. This event will help us to fund the vital service that we offer to schools, building children’s confidence and allowing them to develop a skill that will greatly enhance their life chances.

Held at the wonderful Gloucester Brewery , Fox’s Kiln, West Quay, Gloucester, GL1 2LG, on Thursday 20th April from 7pm, the evening will feature live music sets from SUSAN, Huw and The Greater Good and Pumpadelic. Three bands with their own distinct style; this event offers something for everyone.

To accompany the entertainment there will be a supper available, on a pay as you feel basis. This can be washed down with some of Gloucester Brewery’s sustainably crafted beers and gins, with soft drinks available. 

There will also be a chance to win some great prizes during our raffle, with all proceeds helping to ensure every child learns to read before they reach secondary school.

Tickets are just £10 (available here). More information is available via our Facebook and the event page which can be found here. We have also created a press release to be shared, which contains some more details.

We would really appreciate it if you could share the event within your community as we are aiming to fill the brewery! Please get in touch if you have any questions, and we hope to see you there. 

Thanks so much

Linda Cohen