Nearly 18 years ago my friend Eddie Tomlinson died while on a gap year in the Lebanon.

He went to sleep and never woke up – killed by Carbon Monoxide from a faulty heater.

His brother Michael Tomlinson MP has been raising awareness of #GasSafetyWeek and building on the work of his parents Howard and Heather to make people alert to the dangers of gas, whether CO or gas leaks in the home.

I’d like to join the Tomlinsons in their campaign on this issue.

If one more family can be prevented from going through this grief, then that is a job well done.

You can find out more information about gas safety at this website.

Make sure you know the signs, and get regular checks done.

This section of wall on Cole Avenue was damaged a while back, and has had a fence panel against it for some time now.

I’ve asked Highways what is happening with it. The wall may be private property, but if unsafe it is a danger to pedestrians. I’ll report back on it soon.

I’ve asked the council to remove these red fence panels from the area around Oakland’s Park.
I am working hard to report issues like these, all across Podsmead.

I’ve been in touch with Gloucester City Homes about this obscured street sign on the front hedge outside Halford House, Podsmead.

They have confirmed the hedge will be attended to and given a trim by the estates team, in the next couple of weeks.

I am pleased to report that the deep pothole on Masefield Avenue has now been filled.

Many thanks to Robin for getting me some after’ photos.

If you know of any more potholes or damaged road surfaces in our area please let me know.

Last week I had one of my regular walkabouts in my ward. I checked out a few issues and reported some problems I had found, including:

Fencing fly-tipped in Oakland’s Park 🚧

Trees 🌳 that are due to be replaced

Good to see the toddler swing reinstated in the play area 👏🏻

Wall that’s still down off Podsmead Place 🧱 (this is being monitored by the council and will be replaced as promised by the contractor)

It was also good to meet up with Sarah from Friends of Tuffley Park 🌳 and chat about how we can work together to improve the park.

Lots of great ideas and initiatives coming down the line, including the path.

We spoke about locations to plant more trees, and how we can avoid the problems of last time the council planted some whips – they all died!

Lots going on in Podsmead and lots to do as ever.

The litter bin on the corner of Stratford Close had been damaged and removed and only the base was left.

I reported it to the council and the bin has been replaced with a shiny new one!

Another success in Podsmead.

A resident of Newark Road emailed me regarding the new traffic calming scheme on Tuffley Avenue.

They pointed out that the new raised island is backing up cars along Tuffley Avenue and making it much slower for residents to get out of Newark Road.

They requested a no waiting box, or a keep clear marking.

I contacted the local Highways manager and he is soon going to carry out a site visit to observe the new traffic calming.

He thought a yellow box wouldn’t be possible but a keep clear marking might be.

Residents should feel free to get in touch with me about the scheme.

Although a county council scheme, I have had lots of contact about it as the local city councillor.

Last week the wooden fence on Cole Avenue, by Lower Tuffley Lane (Podsmead side) came down or was knocked down.

It’s a shame because about a year ago I was able to get a good repair job done to this fence.

I reported the latest damage to Highways and there are now red plastic fence panels along there.

This photo was before the panels were put in.

I’m asking Highways whether it will be replaced or upgraded.

The alleyway between Milton Avenue and Empire Way has now been cleared of litter and weeds at my urging.

Several residents contacted me about it and I requested a clean up from the council.

I have also asked for the alleyways between Tennyson Avenue and Podsmead Road, and between Thornhill Close and Podsmead Road, to be cleared.