Cole Avenue resurfacing

The A38 Cole Avenue in Gloucester is being resurfaced overnight from Tuesday 16 June onwards.

The resurfacing work will take 24 nights to complete, from 7pm to 7am each night (excluding weekends), and will be carried out in two phases.

Phase 1: the road will be closed between 16 June to 29 June from the junction at Bristol Road to the junction at Podsmead Road and Epney Road.

Phase 2: the road will be closed between 30 June to 17 July from the junction at Bristol Road to the St Barnabus Roundabout.

I am pleased to see this work being carried out but it is a shame that it was not started during lockdown, as this could have further minimized disruption. I will keep pressing the Conservative administration at Shire Hall to invest more in our roads.

Milton Avenue plans

In front of the gate at Woodpecker Road/ Milton Avenue

In recent months, with the exception of during the lockdown, much good work has been done by volunteers, especially Lisa Jevins and the Podsmead Clearance Team, to clear back the bramble and remove the rubbish from around the Milton Avenue area. It has been good to see the path from Milton open, and able to be accessed by wheelchairs and walkers.

We are now looking at the future plans for the area, and how to spend the European funding that will be put into the Gloucester Urban Greening Project. Much will be done to plant flowers, reeds and make other improvements.

The first step will be to get the stubborn bramble cut back, then to clear out the rubbish and think about how we can use the space more effectively. The council has commissioned a contractor to investigate and start cutting back the bramble. I look forward to seeing the changes and helping out where and when I can.

Raising awareness of Batten Disease

On Tuesday 9th June a group of people dressed in orange, decorated Tuffley Avenue and The Club at Tuffley Park orange and hosted an event to raise awareness of Batten’s Disease, on International Batten Awareness Day.

We were helping the amazing Josh and his family. Josh is battling with this disease, for which sadly there is no cure yet.

The new Mayor of Gloucester, The Right Worshipful Cllr Kate Haigh, was kind enough to attend and speak at the event in support of Batten awareness.

I would like to thank Josh’s family and friends for making the day happen, Ross at the club for hosting us and the Mayor for supporting.

Incredibly, the fundraiser Josh’s family have set up has already made over £6000 at the time of writing.

Please donate if you feel able to, and share the link: https://gf.me/u/x78bkk

Regeneration Update

The regeneration plans for Podsmead and Matson have continued during recent months, and councillors and officers have met regularly online during the lockdown.

Residents are being updated via a newsletter from Gloucester City Homes who are managing the project. The newsletter and update can be viewed here.

If any residents have questions for me about the regeneration plans, please get in touch.

Tuffley Park wall

A section of the wall along Tuffley Avenue that encloses Tuffley Park was damaged recently after a car crashed into it.

The city council were informed and have inspected the damage.

However, it could be an opportunity to do something more imaginative with the boundary.

The wall is not in the best shape, even the undamaged sections. It might be time to look at fencing or rows of trees. This would also help people to see the site.

At the moment not enough people know that the Club at Tuffley Park or the park itself are there. I’m keen to hear people’s views. Obviously cost will be a factor in what we can do but I am told that the council are looking at their options.

New bin for Tuffley Park

Delighted to see this new bin installed at Tuffley Park.

I took prompt action when contacted about this and I am grateful to Gloucester City Council for their communication on this.

This bin replaces the old, broken green bin.

Please continue to take your rubbish home and recycle ♻️ for Gloucester.

Newark Road

I’m pleased to see this sign that was leaning in Newark Road has finally been fixed.

I was in touch with the county council about this issue during the by-election and again in November of last year. Persistence has paid off here.

Clearly, in recent months Highways have had some other priorities but I am grateful to them for carrying out the work.