Improving the Local Environment

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 6th Jul 2007

A new environmental initiative, prompted by an idea from Councillor Roger Symonds, to improve the local environment in Combe Down will be carried out over three days next month (8th, 9th, 10th August 2007). The aim is not just a 'one off' clean up, but to keep up the standard after the initial effort.

Trevor Cummings, the Council's Cleansing Manager, has obtained money from the Government to carry out a number of 'Deep Clean, Keep Clean' (DCKC) projects in Bath and North East Somerset. Combe Down will be the first area to benefit.

Cllr Roger Symonds (Liberal Democrat, Combe Down) said:

"This pilot project is intended to demonstrate the benefits of having a 'multi-skilled' workforce doing all the small maintenance jobs that crop up in an area - cleaning, grass cutting , pruning trees and shrubs and highway and pavement maintenance. Some councils have established permanent 'multi-skilled' teams. This could be a first tentative step towards doing this in Bath and North East Somerset. Let us know if you can think of any places that we need to tackle"

Cllr Cherry Beath (Liberal Democrat, Combe Down) added:

"It makes sense and saves time and money, for one group of workers to carry out all these tasks in the same area. The DCKC in Combe Down will involve Somer Housing and the council's parks, cleansing and highways departments all working together."

"We want to get local people and groups from Combe Down involved in the clean up too. We have already had a positive response from Father Bill at St Peter and St Paul Church and we would like local people and organisations to get in touch with us if they want to be involved. This fits in well with our election pledge to improve street cleaning in Combe Down".

Notes:

Some of the jobs identified by Cherry and Roger that might be tackled:

1. The lanes and cul de sacs around Meare Road and Drake Avenue in particular, for thorough cleansing and removal of loose tarmac and moss from paths

2. Surfaces of roadways in Meare Road, Drake Avenue and Selworthy House repaired (Dunster House is a good example of how the area in front of the flats and garage should be)

3. Renew doors at Bradford Park Flats

4. Litter on 'the Park' (Springfield)

5. Mend barrier on green in Sedgemoor Road

6. Remove redundant poles and signs in Combe Down

7. The paths on the Eastern side of Queens Drive need resurfacing

8. It would be good if the planned implementation of the advisory 20 mph schemes for Hawthorn Grove/Sedgemoor Road and Southstoke Road could be put in place at this time

9. The area in front of and behind Bradford Road shops is often littered and the shrub beds need maintenance and some replanting

10. Replanting shrub bed in Bradford Park

11. Pruning of trees in Drake Avenue

12. Litter bins are needed in Popes Walk, on Bradford Road between the Fish and Chip shop and Bradford Road shops

13. A pane of glass needs replacing in the bus shelter at the MoD

14. Bus timetables need placing at stops on the Showcase Route (Councils job) and at First stops in North Road

15. There needs to be a seat (or two) at the new bus stop in North Road

16. The bus stop at Stonehouse Lane needs to be moved 5 metres to the west

17. Pruning needs to be done of cypress leylandii at the crossing at Stonehouse Lane and North Road

18. Zig Zags need to be painted on road outside Primary School

19. Pavement at front of Primary School needs resurfacing

20. Westerleigh Road needs resurfacing after damage by Hydrock drilling vehicles and temporary traffic calming removed

21. Temporary yellow lines need removing in the village

22. Double yellow lines need to be drawn at entrance to Sydenhams in Hawthorn Grove

23. Graffiti needs removing from street signs and utility street boxes

24. Bus shelter at Priory Close needs painting/replacing (Ralph Allen Drive)

25. There are a number of potholes that need filling across Combe Down

26. New goal posts needed for the football field at the top of Entry Hill