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Archive for: January 2011

Bidder withdraws from Tropicana process

Jan. 20 Economy, Latest News no comments
168205 Bidder withdraws from Tropicana process

Design by Falkner Brown

Havard Tisdale has informed the council that it can no longer be considered for the redevelopment of the prime seafront site at Weston-super-Mare.

In view of this the council has decided to cancel the public exhibition to be held at the Winter Gardens tomorrow and Saturday when plans from both Havard Tisdale and the other potential developer, the Nightingale Group, were due to go on display.

“We have been working closely with both bidders to ensure their schemes are both deliverable and viable and we are disappointed that Havard Tisdale have concluded that they are unable to achieve a commercially viable scheme,” said Council Leader Cllr Nigel Ashton. “In light of the changing circumstances, we have decided not to proceed with the exhibition at this stage.

“We are still obliged to follow the EU procurement process, but are hopeful this can be concluded sooner now that there is only one bidder involved. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Nightingale Group on their proposals.”

Makeover for Weston Street

Jan. 19 Community, Latest News no comments

potholes 15 06 07 300x200 Makeover for Weston StreetA street in Weston-super-Mare will be getting a road makeover next week when carriageway and pavement improvements get under way.

Alfred Street in the town will benefit from resurfacing work to the tune of £90,000. The works will include the resurfacing of the carriageway and a section of foot way and installing a raised bus platform between the junction with Hans Price Close and the Boulevard, there are also some gully covers which will be raised as part of the works.

Works are scheduled to start on Monday January 24 and last for three weeks, which will include some Sunday working.
The road will be closed during this period while the work is carried out. “We will try to make sure all premises can be reached during the work, but the nature of the improvements means it can be potentially hazardous so we may have to restrict access at times. Although this may mean some inconvenience the result of the work will be a much improved surface,” said Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council’s deputy leader and executive member for highways.

The works will be carried out by Balfour Beatty on  behalf of North Somerset Council. Bus services will be suspended for the duration of the works and alternative service arrangements made. Details of the alternate service will be posted on the affected bus stops.

Services 4, 4A, 7, 83 and 85 will operate on diversionary routes.

Route 4/4A: Services to South Rd will divert via Orchard St to Waterloo St. Services from South Rd will divert via Lower Church Rd, the Seafront and Oxford St.

Route 7: Services will operate via The Boulevard, Waterloo St, the Seafront, Oxford St, High St and Alexandra Parade.

Route 83: Services to Worlebury will divert via Orchard St to Waterloo St. Services from Worlebury will divert via Manor Rd, Milton Rd, Swiss Rd and Locking Rd.

Route 85: Services to the Town Centre will divert via Swiss Rd and Locking Rd. Services to St Georges will divert via High St, Oxford St, the Seafront, Waterloo St and Gerrard St.

For more information contact:
• First Bus: 08456 064 446
• Webberbus: 0800 096 3039
• North Somerset Council Public Transport Team: 01934 426 426 or www.n-somerset.gov.uk/busroadworks

Council still failing to collect rubbish

Jan. 09 Latest News, Property no comments

photo 2 300x225 Council still failing to collect rubbishDespite assurances from North Somerset Council that missed recycling and rubbish collections would be done no later than the weekend of the 8th January many Weston residents are still reporting that rubbish and recycling are still piled high almost a month since collections were interrupted due to the heavy snow which disappeared after a week.

One angry resident who wished to remain un-named said “I understand that while the rest of us had to continue working and adapting to conditions caused by the snow, the health and safety obsessed council had a week when it was too dangerous to send their contractors out to collect rubbish, but the snow was only on the ground for a week so why is it that over 3 weeks later the recycling is still sat outside my house?”.

This author is one of the residents that still hasn’t had their rubbish and recycling collection and whilst the snow has brought some inevitable disruption to collections coupled with the extra rubbish created by Christmas, it has now gone well past the point of reasonable for collections to be back to normal.

Do you have piles of rubbish stacked in your street? Do you think that North Somerset has failed their obligations to the local tax-payers? Can the council justify the council tax increase due in March? Leave your comments and let us know what you think.