Updates: Tricorn, MSA, 20mph, Turn Back Time, Street-lighting and more

Well here is all sorts of bits of news that I've been meaning to update...

Tricorn House - well I spoke with planning at SDC a couple of weeks ago and I guess a Compulsory Purshase Order by the Council to then sell to Ecotricity will have to wait maybe up to 2 years. In the meantime the developer will have to show that they are serious about developing the site as a care home. It does seem wholly inappropriate for 96 people so close to all those roads. Dale Vince, MD of Ecotricity, said at the time: "We think it's a crazy idea. "Who'd want their relatives living in a brutalist building on a roundabout at the edge of town? We think it's just another stalling tactic by the owners, we'll be amazed if it actually goes ahead." Of course this delay may mean that Ecotricity develop elsewhere and that means yet again no progress for this eyesore. Outrageous.

Dog doos - a particular problem area is the field behind Whiteshill Church. I have had emails from two residents on this. The Parish Council and local PCSO’s have been in contact with the land owner before Christmas and PCSO's are already patrolling the field to try and improve the problem. Amazingly the notices put up warning to get owners to be more responsible have been pulled down on several occasions. The WaRbler newsletter has also had an article and I hear things are slightly improved in the area.

Motorway Services Area - well as reported on this blog it got the go-ahead - well now a Judicial Review has called it in - we await to hear the decision by one person and see whether they overturn the elected bodies decision?

20 mph - well the speed measures (see left) have now been taken in Whiteshill and Ruscombe to see if a mandatory 20 mph might be allowed....Randwick Parish has also reapplied to have the 20 is Plenty signs reinstalled. See recent success with inquiry here - although we are waiting to hear from Cabinet now.

Randwick Parish Lighting - yonks ago I supported the switching off of Parish lights late at night - see also here re Essex. Whiteshill and Ruscombe have already had a load switched off - well now at last Randwick is set to be part of the scheme.

Grit bins - well they have all recently been refilled - there is still one missing along Bread Street that I have reported. I also noted as these pics show the vandalism earlier in the year. They do need to be set lower in the ground like the one on the corner at Humphreys End - that was set lower and hasn't been pushed over despite a history of being pushed several times each year.

New road surface in Randwick - Well the missing patch of new tarmac near Ocker Hill was a mystery. Why the bit missed? Well apparently it was over concern that the heavy machinery would lead to the collapse of nearby Cotswold stone walls. The area is likely to be done by hand now.Meanwhile part of the new surface has already come loose - I have photographed it and sent it in - but having said that the team were very friendly and considerate - well done to them.

BBC programme Turn Back Time - did you folks get to see it? A 1930s drapers shop was recreated in the Merrywalks Centre where we could see authentic local cloth saved from an actual drapers in Minchinhampton when it closed in 1939.It was a sort of museum with over 400 people visiting each day and over 700 on teh Saturdays.

Local historian Ian Mackintosh, from the Stroudwater Textile Trust, was there (see left) - he is reported saying to local papers: “The BBC contacted the Museum in the Park to see if Stroud would be interested in hosting an event and they contacted us to see if we could help. It’s a very interesting way to introduce Stroud’s history to those who don’t know a lot about the town’s past, and we’ve been working closely with Stroud’s Chamber of Commerce to get businesses involved to make sure the event is a success.”See more at www.stroud-textile.org.uk.

Getting back to it.....

Well I'm getting back into things after a break from emails over Christmas - I was away from Stroud a few days so missed the drama of the long power cut here in Whiteshill - apparently only 80 out of the 570 properties in Whiteshill remained without electricity for a long period but in these temperatures heat loss to homes can be very rapid without any heating and put vulnerable people at risk. The Council was apparently not notified of this outage and I understand this will be taken up with the company in due course.

Photo: Jacqueline Frost has been here?

Plus I hear the uriloo getting stuck open in Stroud at the height of the cold temperatures and water supplies in the Frampton/Whitminster/Saul/Cambridge area were at a very low pressure and some properties had no supply as a result of burst pipes. Severn Trent apparently dealt with this and also provided bottled water.

Well it is sad to see the chaos around transport - it took me an hour to grit the slope up to Bread Street before Christmas as one of the bins had been emptied by vandals and not refilled. Two cars already had hit the hedge at that point - no serious injuries I understand - it is extraordinary to see the extent of the disruption to travel services caused by snow - another indication of the government's failure to invest in transport infrastructure. Greens sent out a news release here that shows how we urgently need to develop a proper public transport system.

The snow, of course, is just one in a long list of problems facing road users. The price of petrol has reached record highs, roads are increasingly congested, and carbon emissions from the transport sector are continuing to rise. These problems are all set to worsen....

I was also interested to catch up on George Monbiots column where he writes: "There is now strong evidence to suggest that the unusually cold winters of the last two years in the UK are the result of heating elsewhere."

He goes onto outline the evidence and show how this cold is part of the picture saying: "A global warming trend doesn't mean that every region becomes warmer every month. That's what averages are for: they put local events in context. The denial of man-made climate change mutated first into a denial of science in general and then into a denial of basic arithmetic. If it's snowing in Britain, a thousand websites and quite a few newspapers tell us, the planet can't be warming. According to Nasa's datasets, the world has just experienced the warmest January to November period since the global record began, 131 years ago; 2010 looks likely to be either the hottest or the equal hottest year. This November was the warmest on record."

It was also good to see in this week's column he picked up on the issue of fuel poverty - see here - this is an issue I have raised many times on this blog - we have one of the highest levels of excess winter deaths. As he notes: "Fuel poverty is defined as having to spend 10% or more of your income on keeping your home at a decent temperature. Between 2003 and 2008 (the latest available figures) the number of households in fuel poverty here rose from 2m to 4.5m. That's not people; that's households: this blight now afflicts 18% of the UK's population."

The column is a great look at how we are allowing the energy companies to grow rich - indeed super rich as Monbiot finishes: "Nothing will be done to reduce fuel poverty until governments discipline one of the least regulated energy markets in the rich world – controlling profits and prices – and help those who need it most. Green policies must be funded by transferring money from richer consumers to poorer ones. It's a scandal that none of this was addressed by the Labour government. It would be little short of miraculous if it were tackled by the Tories. But until something is done, the cold will keep killing, at levels that even the Siberians don't have to endure."

Anyway I have several hundred emails to read and catch up on so will stop this now with a wish to all for a good and peaceful 2011. Lastly here is the video of a Stroud Street (reported in the SNJ) of folk trying to get up it.

Grit bins: rock solid

Well I have spoken to Highways this week and last week regarding several local grit bins. They are rock solid and folk can't get any grit out of them. Apparently bins were filled with a mix of table salt and grit which may have frozen with the recent very low temperatures.

Cartoon: Local artist Russ - no news on 20 mph since last blog on the topic but Warbler out soon in Whiteshill and Ruscombe - Randwick trees below

One of the problems relates to three months ago when the problem was reported - I have assurances that the contractors have been asked to relook at that bin this week and other bins in Ruscombe. I am also wanting to know why the problem wasn't sorted 3 months ago re that bin?

See comment here from a local resident about that bin. Hey - I'll include a bit as it says nice things about me!!

"..... we have this really great District Councillor. Why is he great? - Well he's a Green Party member, and as we all know, the Greens are never going to get into government or rule anything, so he does the job for the simple reason that he wants the community to be better. It means that he hangs around the pub, weeds the allotments, speaks to people, goes to planning meetings, writes a blog, and I can e-mail him about our Grit Bin ......... which I did 3 months ago. And being the efficient concerned person that he is, he raised it with local government who committed to sort the issue out.

"Of course they didn't, but am I annoyed? No of course not. Councils all over the country are running out of grit. Welsh councils can use 12,000 tonnes of road salt on the roads in 24 hours, while salt mines could only provide the UK with up to 6,000 tonnes in the same period."

It does seem amazing that nationally we seem to be in a position where grit supplies are threatened again in parts of the country. We need to import over 30% of the salt we need. Local authorities have ordered more than a million tonnes of extra salt this year to combat the snow - a third more than they did for last winter. The problem is allegedly that it has not all been delivered! If this is true it is extraordinary.

In Gloucestershire I am hoping they have learnt lessons after last years nonsense - the County Council have doubled the amount they have in stock and have a new gritting programme and new snow ploughs. Any problems with grit bins can be reported on 08000 514 514.

Bits and bobs: grit bin, convent mirror, Stroud Pound, pasties and Paganhill hall

Brook report published - Ismaila's report on the Ruscombe Brook has been made available on Amazon... but as one person commented according to the picture on the cover of report, Ruscombe Valley is now headed by a mountain similar to the Matterhorn ... perhaps its only a metaphor for what we have to climb with local authorities. See Amazon here.

Ismaila (Photo left of Ismaila with other RBAG member)did his MSc with Water 21 and support from Ruscombe Brook Action Group in 2007 and his water sampling showed that between June and September water quality remained fairly good although deteriorated down the length of the brook - there were no sewage incidents during that time - looking at the silt along the brook - again this got worse as he got down the brook although the worst point was at Puckshole with lots of nasty faecal contamination. Ismaila was the first student - since then we've had several with Water 21 and more this summer - possibly working on Ruscombe Brook. Water 21 website also has lots about Ismaila's report.

Local woodfuel project - this is still progressing but we are awaiting a meeting with National Trust - see more here.

Ruscombe Road grit bin over again (see pic) - well I have refilled this grit bin on at least three occasions. Each time it is tipped over the salt grit gets into the local brook. Last year it was tipped over at least 4 times. The bin is at a crucial site so is much needed but it needs to either be sunk lower in the ground to stop people pushing it over or replaced with something better. I have requested this on various occasions - well last week my email prompted quick action and a contractor dug it into the ground - however it was over again in under 24 hours - I am informed today that it will be moved back and sunk in again - a notice needs to be posted so it will take a few days.

Bread Street grit bin - I have requested a bin on the slope of Ruscombe Road going up to Bread Street be moved further up the hill - perhaps to close by the Bread Street sign. This was an area that needed grit and used to have a bin. I know there was a complaint about a bin getting tipped into a householders garden but the Bread Street sign is far enough away to reduce the likelihood of this occurring again.

Convent mirror - well the mirror on this corner has disappeared - rumour has it it was used by sledgers during the last snow - anyhow we are unable to erect a new mirror at this location without the permission from the DfT - and Highways have said that this approval would not be forthcoming partly due to the speed limit. Highways were to look at possible road markings and come back to us - well I don't recall them coming back to us but new white lines have appeared - the mirror post remains with nothing on it! This seems a great pity - but as local folk will know it has been vandalised or stolen on many occasions previously - see blog here.

Stroud Pound update - I just got a bundle of Stroud notes today as my original lot had run out - there is now over £4,000 in our pockets, wallets and purses and over 35 local traders and businesses involved. For a full list of participating traders see: www.stroudpound.org.uk Recent joiners include Silverthorn (Nelson Street), Lansdown Pottery, Five Valleys Cordial (farmers market), Helyn Morris Chiropractor, Tobacconist Farm (Minch), Dennis Gould (Shambles market) and the exotically named Rupert Burdock's Wild Food Empire (Shambles market)! The winter opening hours of the Saturday morning 'office' at Stroud Valley Project, Threadneedle Street will be 11 till 1 every Saturday morning. Drop by for exchange, information, advice and chat. The most central exchange point in Stroud is Kanes in Kendrick Street. Other exchange points are Stroud Uplands PO, Minchinhampton and Stonehouse PO and Green Spirit, Nailsworth (check website).

Paganhill Maypole Village Hall - has just got two major grants. As regular blog readers will know I am a Leader with the Woodcraft Folk - the new Pioneers group now meets in this hall. Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, which raises money from landfill operations, has pledged £20,000 to help repair and upgrade the facility in Stratford Road. Stroud District Council has also donated £8,950 to improve the outside of the hall from its village halls and community buildings grant scheme. Volunteers are now set to start phase two of the £90,000, four-phase project within the next six weeks. The hall opened in 1962 has already seen last year the installation of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and a new heating system. The latest work includes new toilets, modernising the electric system, installing efficient lighting, the lead water pipes replaced, disability access improvements, the leaking roof will be repaired and new railings will be put in place outside. The main work will last about four to five weeks. Donate to the appeal by leaving a cheque payable to ‘Paganhill Maypole Hall’ for the care of treasurer Martin Kavanagh at Paganhill Post Office. To book the hall, call Janine Bagouin on 07749 799538.

Stroud Pasty Co - just wanted to add congrats as they have won the contract to produce exclusive Gloucester Cathedral 'Pilgrim's Pie' - a hogget lamb, onion, garlic, white beans, herbs and honey-roasted carrot pie, made entirely from produce grown and reared on their farm in the Slad Valley. Drawing inspiration from the largely non meat-eating Benedictine Monks who once lived in the cathedral, their vegetarian ‘Monk’s Pie’ proved just as popular with its filling of white beans, onions, spinach, nettles, fresh herbs and Single Gloucester cheese. Both pies, which will be available to sample from May, are triangular in shape to represent the Holy Trinity and are enclosed in golden pastry made from Tetbury-based Shipton Mill flour and butter from Netherend Farm in the Forest of Dean.

Stroud for Food - the official 2010 Cotswolds Visitor Guide is out - a key feature of the publication is the exclusive village-by-village guide with distinctive symbols pointing visitors in the direction of pubs, restaurants, farmers' markets, shops and tourist information The content includes information about events and activities, hot dates in the Cotswolds and 'Top 10 Foodie Experiences'. Four out of the ten 'Foodie Experiences' are in the Stroud district. Woodruff's Organic Cafe (Stroud), St Michael's Restaurant and B and B (Painswick), Stroud's award-winning farmers' market and the Stroud Food and Drink Festival (3rd - 19th September 2010) are all mentioned. The Cotswolds' title as 'Britain's Rural Capital of Culture' is also explained: festivals, arts events, cultural happenings and galleries tucked away in even the smallest towns combine with some top class sport, and an amazing local food and market culture to make this one of Britain's most surprisingly vibrant places to visit.

Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe News from your District Councillor

I've just started delivering my latest news letter - the contents of which are below - apols for delay - I usually try to get it out in January but due to a twisted ankle and the snow it has been delayed. Please also use the 'labels' or the search engine on this blog to find out more about my activities.

Dear Resident,

I feel very fortunate to live in and be part of these lively communities. We have a great village shop, schools, churches, clubs and pubs, plus many wonderful local events like street parties, the Randwick Wap, pancake races, art exhibitions, theatre and more. These all go a long way towards strengthening our communities - something that is close to my heart.

As residents will know, I have nearly completed four years as the local District Councillor. I would be proud to serve a further term and I hope you will consider voting for me this May.

This newsletter gives a taste of some of my recent actions and projects. As I hope it shows, I remain passionate about social and environmental justice and am committed to working with others to achieve the changes we need.

I would like to thank all those who have supported me and the local Green Party for funding this annual newsletter.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward

Want to talk to Philip?

Philip would love to hear your views, answer your questions or try to help with local problems. Email Philip on philip.booth2@virgin.net or phone 01453755451 or write to: 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud GL66EL.

Some recent successes

Philip has:

• Led a successful campaign to get a bus shelter at Stratford
• Set up the Stroud Valleys Water Forum that is taking a lead in developing an effective flood policy for the District
• Initiated a Countywide scheme for libraries to loan out energy monitors to help people cut their energy use
• Supported residents who have had problems with planning issues
• Helped get a new culvert and grill at Acres Place, Puckshole, to reduce flooding
• Worked with Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council to establish allotments in the area Road
  

Some recent actions by your councillor:

Seeking more accountability at the Council

I have joined other Greens in calling for:

• Councillor expenses to be published fully
• Ending the extra cash paid to councillors who use larger cars
• More openness around decisions to close joint-use sports centres
• The Council to apologise to tenants for the damning report on our Council housing stock (with the exception of two other councillors, all refused to make an apology)

Working for better planning

• I continue to oppose development on the Ruscombe Valley fields and at other key local sites that are currently threatened
• I have been one of four councillors on an extensive inquiry into the planning process which has made key recommendations for improvements

Pressing for transport improvements

• I have helped to gain the '20 is Plenty' traffic calming signs. I oppose County Council measures to remove these.
• I continue to seek other local traffic calming measures (not humps and bumps)
• I continue to work for 20mph speed limits in residential areas to reduce casualties and encourage more walking and cycling
• I want to see a proper bus station in Stroud and improvements to cycle facilities

Protecting our wildlife and environment

• I have been involved in projects locally such as clearing the local brook, supporting the local Hedgehog Hospital and helping develop the Stroud-based Global Bee Project to protect solitary bees
• I have sought improvements to local grit bins and road gullies
• I helped ensure that Severn Trent has taken action on sewage systems locally. This has led to a significant reduction in sewage incidents

Open Homes Success

• I initiated and help organise the hugely popular Eco-renovation Open Homes weekend each September. This involves local homes with renewable energy and energy efficiency measures opening to the public and local renewable energy installers promoting their products

Tackling fuel poverty, energy security and climate change

• I chaired a scrutiny inquiry that has made recommendations for financing energy efficiency and renewable measures
• I am seeking opportunities for the Council to invest and make serious financial returns on investments in renewable energy

Working on your behalf

• Opposing a large incinerator at Javelin Park near Stonehouse or elsewhere in the County
• Actively working to ensure our waste management is more sustainable and cost effective
• Initiated a wood fuel project in local woods
• Raised key issues as Stroud’s representative on the Wessex Water Customer Liaison Panel
• Sought improvements to services at Stratford Park Leisure Centre including measures to improve cleanliness and energy efficiency
• Supported others to successfully oppose large cuts in funding to arts

See last years report here.

Snow all gone

Well the snow has gone and huge thanks must go to all who helped folk manage through the difficult times. I have to say it was a little shocking to have more snow on Wednesday - it took me an hour and three quarters to get to Gloucester in the car for work and some very dicey moments from other car drivers.....

Photos: Pics mostly from last Wednesday which includes below a grit lorry that got stuck on the corner near More Hall Convent - of course they had plenty of grit to rescuie themselves

We are of course now left with what the county Council estimate could be a £5 million bill for filling potholes! With finances already in a difficult position this potentially could have a very serious impact.

I have heard many stories of neighbours being wonderful - particular thanks for example must go to Cainscross Parish Councillor Christopher Capener who helped a local Randwick farm owner clear some of the rubbish left after the sledgers had gone. This included road signs (including some from Slad Road!), a car bonnet and much more.

However none of this was a touch on last year when vast amounts were cleared away by a team of litter pickers - this year it seems talking to sledgers and the notices put up - see here - did help.

We are now looking at ways to improve that signage if more snow comes - one suggestion - possibly tongue in cheek was an adopt a stile scheme where folk put up the notices on their local stile? Any other suggestions welcomed!

Grit

Anyhow we also had some nickers-of-grit - see here. This led to press announcements and notices going up but I am not sure this helped at one grit bin in Whiteshill.

Of course the biggest grit-nickers were the Government - we were told in the midst of all the snow that only major roads in Gloucestershire will be gritted after the council had to ration salt after the government took control of supplies.

The government said it would control all salt deliveries due to the national shortage. Of course this is right to direct where most needed but seems a little unfair when Glos had got good stocks due to the mess last February when they had to buy table salt.

Indeed salt stocks had been increased by 53 per cent to the maximum capacity of 7,500 tonnes and more was to be re-ordered from supplier Salt Union throughout the winter to ensure this was maintained. Anyhow I have been generally impressed with the vast gritting and ploughing tasks carried out - but of course here in this ward we have suffered quite badly from lack of gritted roads - at times they have been very dangerous and several days there was no access other than by 4x4 - indeed more gritted teeth than gritted roads?!

Pavements

One area we need to get better at is the pavements - these seem to be left until last and leave pedestrians to walk in the road. In a survey by the Local Government Association nearly three quarters of people would back a law to protect householders who cleared snow away from a pavement outside their home from being sued by people who injured themselves slipping on it. A further 59% said they would support a legal obligation on householders - like in several other countries - to make sure the pavement outside their homes was clear of snow. This seems less possible as I can't see some vulnerable or disabled householders doing that - or those away on holiday etc - but would be interested to learn more??

Certainly one solicitor on the radio said he could not see someone suing and winning in the courts for clearing snow...

In terms of the grit bins (see many previous posts on this like here) we have had some success recently in re-siting some bins locally although there are still some problems and we have also not yet got an alternative to grit that can be used (see letter last year on this here). Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish have also purshased some better bins which are much neater, safer and don't leak salt like the older broken plastic bins.

Other Ruscombe Green recent snow Blogs

One of my most popular blogs about the snow was how to make a snow lantern - see here - and the pics of the Redwing - indeed I had several emails from others locally who have also spotted this wee bird - and one from a keen birder who said even though the snow has gone please keep feeding the birds! See here deer in snow and here woods. Lastly a link here to the post "Weather is not climate".

To finish do please keep sending emails if you have thoughts on the recent weather and how we can better prepare for another such event....

Local snow news: recycling, grit and help offered!

Here are some various bits of news:

Photo: Near Ruscombe Brook

Recycling: Overnight snow has caused problems so there will be no waste or recycling collections tomorrow (Thursday) - the day most in this area get collected. On Friday they will collect rubbish scheduled for Thursday collection, and on Saturday they will collect Friday's scheduled collections. Depending on conditions, this information is subject to change. Additionally, until conditions improve, the council is unable to deal with any further requests for bulky refuse collections.

The latest information will appear, as usual, on the council's website at www.stroud.gov.uk and be publicised via BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Heart FM radio and local news websites.

Grit: apparently grit is still being used to do private drives- this maybe appropriate if
the person is an essential worker or in an emergency but residents are meant to supply their own grit not use stuff for our roads and footpaths. There have been particular problems in Whiteshill and apparently similar problems in neighbouring Pitchcombe and indeed Brockworth. Notices are going up now saying:

SALT FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN WHITESHILL & RUSCOMBE ONLY - Do not take for use on private driveways

Snow fun: see previous blog here - please ask sledgers to take rubbish away with them - already an assortment of road signs, plastic bags and sheets of plastic in all colours has had to be removed by folk - indeed I already have half a black bag of stuff from fields around Bread Street today.

Help offered: a neighbour of mine with a car that is nearly a 4x4 has offered to help any local folk who get stuck for stuff like shopping - call me if you need help - similarly the District Council and many others are offering services - a few days ago Cllr Sarah Lunnon helped get some Council 4x4s to help rescue residents who got trapped at a days service in Stroud.

Are there any alternatives to road salt?

Some will remember my letter re alternatives to road salt for gritting our roads - see here.

Well it seems hard to find anything that doesn't have a downside. Certainly there is a growing concern about the use of salt on our roads: it can have a significant impact on local biodiversity (especially in sensitive areas) and on local water courses and indeed water supplies. Furthermore in addition to the public health and environmental problems associated with chloride deicers, the corrosivity of salt impacts on vehicles and infrastructure.

So bearing all that in mind I asked what consideration has Gloucestershire given to alternatives to salt like Calcium Magnesium Acetate and Potassium Acetate? I also noted that some Councils like York have switched to a product called 'Safecote' which is a combination of salt and sugar based food industry residue. Apparently the sugar coating makes it stick so that it is washed away more slowly and means that frequency can be reduced and the level of salt content is also reduced.

Glos County trial Safecote

In reply I learnt that Highways have already carried out a trial on Safecote from the Cannop Depot, and found that it had it's own problems. It seems the County found that the claimed reduction in spread rates do not recoup the extra costs of the material. Furthermore the material must be kept a lot drier than conventional rock salt, which requires extra storage buildings. The claims on reduced vehicle corrosion is based on not needing to wash out the Gritters after every run. This is however, conditional on them being stored inside in the dry, so not only would we need extra buildings for salt, we would need more for gritter storage as well.

The theoretical reduced spread rates are fine in theory, but by reducing the rate of spread to fine margins, the risk of a slight blockage (very common) could reduce the coverage to dangerously low rates. Other problems found relate to an unpleasant aroma from stock-piles, and that the taste/smell was attracting animals such as deer to the roads in the Forest of Dean.

So there are problems - but it cuts the salt. Is it worth the extra costs or are other options better?

Other options?

It seems many of the solutions sound fine in theory, and if dealing with mass/known controlled areas such as runways or motorways then they can produce recognisable savings. However in Gloucestershire with hilly, narrow roads, the theory doesn't always relate to reality. The County does not have a single specification for Gritters, due to the diverse needs, whereas the Highways Agency for example has hundreds of identical vehicles purely built for motorways.

The County have also tried in the past pre-wetting salt, which can also reduce spread rates, but they experienced problems with mixing brine in sufficient quantities, the vehicles needed brine tanks as well as salt which increased their payloads resulting in greater fuel costs, road and vehicle damage etc.

In response to my other possible alternatives here is what came back:

Calcium Magnesium Acetate is more suited to de-icing concrete or grass surfaces, apparently not so good on tarmac, which is what most of our network consists of. It's also much slower acting, 15-30 times longer than conventional rock salt and I suspect such delays would be unacceptable. I see this as great for runways for example where usage can be controlled but not on the public network.

Potassium Acetate is apparently quite corrosive, so apart from the potential damage to equipment, using it in the public domain may be an issue, but apparently it is used quite widespread in the States.

Both of these products are 'manufactured' and as far as we are aware, not available in sufficient quantities in this Country, whereas rock salt is a natural resource and is mainly sourced from Cheshire or Northern Ireland. I welcome that the County is giving consideration to alternatives - it seems much more work is needed to work out what the impacts are - and I have asked that they liaise with wildlife/biodiversity groups re sensitive sites. I have also asked that consideration be given to sites like Humphreys End where the barrel grit bin keeps getting tipped over and leading to salt in the local brook there. I am seeking additional funds for a better design at those sites.

I see Iowa have used garlic salt - see here. Apparently the US use 8 to 12 million tons of salt every year on roads! See a good article here where the alternatives are discussed.

Grit bins, 20 is Plenty, Gullies and more

My internet connection is not working well today - I was going to write about a whole host of County Council related stuff that I have been chasing but quite frankly I would bore you if I gave all the details - so many emails and conversations but here is the gist of some of it...

Grit bins. Well once again this has absorbed lots of time from vandalised bins, missing bins and apparent differences in policy on bins between Parishes...do contact me if you want to know more! Suffice to say some bins in each Parish have been identified to be replaced and I have others that I think need action. Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish are planning these nice wooden ones for some sites (see photo).

'20 is Plenty' in Whiteshill and Ruscombe. This has at last been approved by Highways despite apparent differences of policy by Highways to the Parish Councils. Again the details are too boring! Photo of our planning meeting touring the Parish to identify problems recently.

Safe Routes to School. See previous blog here. The details of Government policy are still not knbown and are unlikely to be for a while - sadly the County note to me that Safe Routes will still not be prioritised - this is not just about reducing accidents, but also increasing the number of people who feel happy walking and cycling to school and work. That can play a significant role in reducing traffic and consequent CO2 emissions - of course one of the most significant factors is getting 20 mph in residential areas - see the many, many previous blogs on that.

Gully clearance. There have been rumours of cuts to the Gully clearing programme - but I am assured it has not been cut and a new contract has been signed - I am still seeking info about what that might mean in practice for this area?

Consultation re Highways issues. There is no question that it is v difficult for Highways Officers who often have to repeat information several times to various people asking questions - we are fortunate that most respond well to the queries and questions from Councils and members of the public. It is not always an easy task. However there is always room to improve and get the balance right between consultation and action. Ideas would be welcomed from folk. Certainly I would like to see more public and local councillor involvement even if it is only once a year to raise issues and play a part in improving services.

Blog on holiday and pot holes

I wont be updating this blog properly until the end of the month. Too much computer screen so I am giving it a rest - I have plans for the garden and more. I have also changed the 'Comment' setting so that they wont be added until I return to blogging (this is after having over 60 adverts added one time previously). However I have scheduled a couple of blogs in my absence so it will not be all quiet here...

Photo: Puckshole - road was a river for many months before finally being fixed last year but already it is showing signs of considerable wear

Last year, Gloucestershire Highways fixed 25,000 holes in the road many of which were notified through the county council's potholes hotline and made safe within 24 hours. It might not seem like that to some folk as there are still many that need fixing. The trouble is that temperatures of -8C and a higher than average number of gritting runs has led to exceptional damage.

The County are wanting folk to phone in or go online and report holes as there are so many new ones. They have a hotline telephone number 08000 514 514 and a simple online form at:
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/pothole

Potholes can cause damage to cars if they are hit at any speed, but how will we be able to continue to pay for them to be fixed on our vast network of roads? See one of my previous comments on pot holes here.

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council meet last night

Well it was a full Parish Council meeting with lots to discuss - I got there after a Woodcraft Folk Elfin group meeting learning Salsa - great stuff and we had two new members - spaces still available so do contact if you are interested (see more here)....

Photo: not winner of logo competition (sadly)

So what did we discuss at Parish - well minutes will be out soon on the website so this is just a taster...

Some of the issues I mentioned included:

- Allotments - there was an update on progress re the Allotment Working Group - see background here - a meeting is now planned with a local landowner re possibility of using a corner of land locally - exciting stuff.

- Ward name change - SDC lost the original letters sent last summer. These were resent and I got no response to three emails. I have now found a way forward and am hopeful we will hear more re how best to proceed on this! See more about name change here.

- '20 is Plenty' - I sometimes despair at the pace things go at - a 20mph voluntary limit was suggested a long while back when we learnt we could not have a mandatory speed limit despite being told we could have - anyhow that is all in many blogs long ago - things are now moving again - still issues to addres - is the data collected already sufficient? Or do we need to book radar again? Both Randwick and this Parish have in my view carried out sufficient consultation - the Warbler, Randwick Runner and my newsletter in the past plus this blog and many Parish meetings and minutes have all publicised 20 is Plenty - there was even a couple of Coffee Morning consultations in Whiteshill Village Hall. The next step is to get quotes and agree designs for Signs, Stickers and leaflets - then we need to agree location of signs - Whiteshill and Ruscombe have a meeting, where at 10am on Sat 28th, some Parish councillors and I, will walk around Parish to agree locations and numbers of signs. Hopefully Randwick will also have something similar - then we need Highways agreement....

- Gullies - see more here - a local landowner and resident have made noises re a number of key drains - a site meeting is planned soon.

- Grit bins - I have requested the one in Humphreys End to be dug deeper as it has fallen over (or been pushed over) on 4 occasions in the last year. See here my letter to press that was in the Citizen this week. Highways have agreed to come out re the missing bins in Far Westrip.

Other stuff

Plenty of other stuff also got discussed - the Parish logo competition was judged - two winners identified (entries had to be from inside the Parish) - hopefully be able to show them on this blog soon - one of them was Keith Bates, a member of the Village Hall Committee and also a Ruscombe Brook Action Group member - the basketball hoop was also considered - a grant is being applied fort and quotes obtained (see more here) - approval was also given to repair the iron railings in Ruscombe. What else - I've run out of time - must go and eat.....

Grit lorries have just been through Ruscombe

News that the County had run out of grit prompted me to write the letter below - however I was delighted to see a grit lorry come through Ruscombe this afternoon - I had heard one had been through yesterday afternoon but instead of gritting was being filmed!! I haven't been able to confirm or deny that but at least we've been gritted today and hopefully it will mean more folk can get to work, schools and all tomorrow.

However please all take care there is an extreme weather warning from teatime tomorrow - these are not so common so must mean something bad is on it's way - let's hope they got it wrong.

Photo: Cartoon courtesy of Russ - made me smile lots - especially after this blog covering so much on peak oil - anyhow the other pics are of Bread Street ungritted on Saturday and local grit bins - one being almost empty today at Randwick Village Hall while the other near Humphreys End - indeed my previous blogs re grit bins have prompted comments from companies saying how bad they are without lids - well they would wouldn't they - but it is true we need improved bins - the barrels are too tempting to push over or even fall over when being used like the one below. Both local Parishes are exploring improvements - Highways of course say not enough money in their accounts.

Here is my letter:

The County Council had an agreed contract for grit but apparently the supplier let them down. This is not good enough. The failure to grit secondary routes hit communities and the local economy. The Citizen's call on the Government for action was very welcomed, as is the news that 500 tonnes of table salt from Cheshire have been obtained to help clear roads of snow and ice. Indeed as I write a grit lorry has just passed my front door: big thanks to all those who have helped in keeping our services running.

However there is a serious and growing concern internationally about using so much salt on our roads and it's impact on local biodiversity, water courses and indeed water supplies. Furthermore in addition to the public health and environmental problems associated with chloride deicers, the corrosivity of salt impacts on vehicles and infrastructure. It is time we considered alternatives to salt like Calcium Magnesium Acetate and Potassium Acetate.

This last fortnight shows that we must be better prepared with measures like storing more grit in the County, more grit bins with lids and better designed to discourage vandalism, more ploughs and more snow chains for essential services. Yes this comes at a cost, but in the long run these are investments that are worth making if we are to ensure Gloucestershires' economic health and that services, particularly to the vulnerable, can be maintained.

Cllr Philip Booth

Snow, snow and more snow...where is our grit?

Working at home again today but only a half day so just finished and intend to go out into the snow but here's a wee update...

Photos: of the parish in the snow have been uploaded to the website - this one of the Charley's lake in Ruscombe is from Maggie Booth (no relation!) - see more under pictures at: www.wrpc.org.uk

The weather is clearly having a huge impact on all aspects of life - schools closed again so even if folk can get to work they still can't if no childcare, buses cancelled, recycling and rubbish collection cancelled (none done in our area), Ebley Mill just closing with the exception of emergency calls, leisure services disrupted (check before going anywhere).....and much more...just heard a friend in Nailsworth has come home to find her car crushed under a huge tree branch which collapsed under weight of snow......another friend got a wee way in their car then stuck in snow - had to dig out a parking space to push it into for collecting later...

Where is our grit??

Well as most people will have realised Highways will not come out to our area unless we have an emergency because they are so stretched. Which is understandable. In a report from our Snow Warden in Whiteshill, Cllr Gerri Kimber I hear that a lone tractor has put an attachment to the front and apparently has gone up the main road in Whiteshill. She has also been liaising with Highways over more grit for this area....

Basically the County Council is reducing its programme of gritting to maintain essential routes - despite an agreed delivery contract, the council learned this week that no further deliveries of salt into Gloucestershire could be guaranteed. GCC state that: "Salt stocks nationally are under pressure and although the council planned ahead and ordered more than enough salt to grit all the county's primary and secondary routes, delivery cannot be guaranteed. "

They have said no secondary routes will be gritted and salt bins will not be replenished in order to preserve stocks, as sub-zero conditions are forecast to continue over the weekend and beyond. I have to say this is really unacceptable - and was pleased to see The Citizen comment also calling it unacceptable - my Norwegian partner just shakes her head in disbelief at how a few inches of snow can create so much chaos - we really should have stocks of grit stored in the County and stuff like chains, ploughs etc should be much more available for services. Yes it doesn't happen often but again with climate change while it means a warming overall it also means more extreme weather events - and hey I am not putting this snow down to climate change just making the point that we need to be better prepared for all extreme weather conditions.

Who is taking our grit?

At the weekend I discovered in Far Westrip some grit bins had disappeared - I photographed this one and apparently it has now also gone? I've also now noticed one gone from Bread Street. Highways have clearly been too busy to reply to me but I am wondering if they have pinched them for use elsewhere?

Once our salt bins are empty locally – some already are - they will not be replenished in the short term. So use sparingly - but be safe. Cars are driving in many areas but the villages here are very very quiet - indeed only seen two 4x4s. Amazingly our local paper is still delivered - well done to that lad!!

8 year old comments on grit bin vandalism

"Not a good siet . Look After things . This grit shood be in the grit bin. Somboddy has tiped it over.Somboddy has allso painted the sien . I don,t want to see this again." Lisa

See more re grit bins here - both Parishes are now exploring which bins they will consider upgrading. Certainly this one photographed is repeatedly knocked over and the salt ends up being washed into the brook where it must play havoc with the biodiversity.

What else today? Flooding, fluoride, Parish and Village Hall.

As you will see from other entries today I've had a day of annual leave to catch up on a whole host of projects - work has been too busy recently and I apologise for delays in replying to emails - please bear in mind I get between 80 and 100 of them daily plus a handful of phone calls.....

Photos; more from Randwick woods at the weekend

Well the Safe Water Campaign met today in Stroud - under discussion was the news that Southampton City is voting for fluoride to be added to our water - see here the news release from Southampton that I added yesterday - and response to Southampton Echo here from one of our members.

It is deeply worrying - this vote flies in the face of public opinion and other local councils votes - it also gives support to the Health Authorities attempts to get the fluoride added to the water supply - and if it happens there it will make it more likely that elsewhere will also consider it.

Update re Southampton

However before I finished this blog entry the most fantastic news came in! Hampshire County Council have voted against fluoridation, and the reasons set out for their opposition could not be better stated if we had written the report ourselves! It is an astonishing indictment on every aspect of fluoridation and of the SHA's consultation.

One campaigner in Southampton writes: "I was particularly pleased that the Panel has put the SHA in a hole by requesting that they inform parents of young children about not mixing baby formula with fluoridated water. How are they going to get out of that one? That was also the point we made at the TVBC full council - and it's impossible to argue against because it's the BDA's own official advice!"

The question is clearly now how much pressure can HCC exert on the Strategic Health Authority? This document is so powerful that in the face of it, it is hard to believe the SHA can now go ahead. It would be almost impossible to justify such an action after this Report. Congratulations to all involved with this!!!! A very well deserved victory of commonsense.

Glos Flood inquiry

Also today I was interviewed for nearly an hour about the the way Gloucestershire County Council handled the inquiry into the floods - see their report here - Glos Uni are looking at how it was carried out to see if lessons can be learnt. It is worth remembering this was the largest civil emergency in the UK since World War II, with the homes of hundreds of thousands of people in Stroud, Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham affected directly by flooding, and by the loss of water supplies and power that followed. Gloucestershire came very close to compulsory evacuation and tempers became seriously frayed in many communities. Anyhow following the Scrutiny Inquiry into the Summer Emergency 2007, the GCC Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee established a task-group to examine planning and flood risk issues in more detail. Their report is out and I have a hard copy but for some reason I can't find it on the web.

Anyhow - yes I know I just said anyhow - well anyhow my comments were mostly favourable about the process although communication with other Councils could be improved - I only heard about the inquiry through the press initially - and there is still a need for a more holistc approach - yes this is a huge step in the right direction - for the Green party's submission to The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee see here. Our submission to the GCC inquiry was similar.

Randwick Parish meeting

I've missed several of these Parish meetings recently due to other Council meetings on Thursday nights - they all love Thursdays - Full Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny and both Parishes!

Anyhow I was able to catch up a little - and gave a grief update on matters like the orchard project, the grit bin tipped over again near Humphrey's End (see photo), bus shelters, allotments and waste - but only stayed for an hour as it was also the Village Hall meeting...

Ruscombe and Whiteshill Village Hall meeting

Also this evening was this meeting and it was my first chance to go to it - they only happen 4 times a year and I am not a committee member - this was their AGM - and it was good to meet the team and to enjoy wine and nibbles after the business was discussed!! The hall has an excellent range of activities - Lindy Hop, Toddlers, Keep Fit, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga, Ballet. Wives Club and more. I have volunteered to help explore funding for the hall with the District Council re energy efficiency measures...and that was even before a glass of wine - anyhow a big thanks to the team for looking after our Village Hall. Time for bed for me now!

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish meeting

Well I was tired Thursday night - wanted to go and hear Paul Mobbs talking on Peak Oil - apparently packed out and great - then there was also a Cabinet meeting with several key items to be discussed - two or three other Greens were going to that and took my issues with them to raise so it was to the Parish meeting I went...I am not a Parish councillor but do get to meetings when they don't clash with District Council meetings...

Photos: recent hay making in Ruscombe valley - done by tractors - although The Telegraph report one Cornish farmer has, after fuel prices have risen 700%, replaced his tractor with oxen - see here.

Parish minutes will be out soon and on their website. No real further news on grit bins, ward name change, basketball, a Parish logo competition, mast at Ash Lane or Watercourse wardens job description. But here are a few of the issues discussed in their very full agenda that lasted until 10.00pm:


Well I wont go into stuff here in depth as the20 is Plenty: I fed back with Peter Hood, the Parish Councillor, progress at our recent meeting on this - see here.

Village Shop toilet: the Ruscombe and Whiteshill Village Shop (run by volunteers) had it's loo burnt down by vandals a while back (see previous blog). This loo is also available for daytime users of the Playing Field and other members of the public and not just the Community Shop and cafe. There has been a funding shortfall despite considerable efforts by the local Community and grants from the Parish, Help the Aged and others including some from insurers. It was good to hear that they now have the money - I had supported their queries to the District Council for funds but it was not possible in this financial year. Anyhow it will be great to have that rebuilt - well done to all who worked so hard.

Allotments in the Parish: 6 residents have now applied so the Parish has a legal duty to investigate whether they can provide them. If more in the Parish are interested in allotments please email the clerk: clerk@whiteshillandruscombe.org.uk

Verges: a brief discussion on how these can be maintained better in future - advice is due out soon from experts.

Phone box closures: as noted on this blog we are to loose the one at Ludlow Green - apparently only 32 calls last year and at Westrip - 53 calls last year. They are two of the 51 boxes proposed for removal. Most of the phone boxes take phone cards only and those phone cards are not always sold locally but they do reverse charge calls - although I've not tried and some say it is difficult to do? Certainly during emergencies, the mobile phone network can be come inundated - and a significant number of people in the community cannot afford to use their pay as you go phones to queue on hold to get key information for services - plus batteries of mobiles get flat etc. However so far I have not been approached by a single person re saving these boxes and no comments or emails left on this blog. However I still have a sad feeling that these proposed closures are another small loss to our communities. One Parish Councillor spoke out against the closures. For more information: www.stroud.gov.uk/payphone including an interactive map, and feedback form. There is also a hotline where people can ring and an information pack will then be sent (01453 754092). The first Consultation closes 14th July 2008. Final consultation commences 23rd July 2008 and closes 22nd August 2008. Final Notice published 3rd September. The process must be completed by 6th September or else we are advised the process is void.