Tunnels

If you are driving into the city centre over the next week or so, don't forget that the Lancaster Circus tunnel on the A34 will be closed until 6am on Monday 6 May 2013 for essential refurbishment. 

With changes in usage, this isn't a very busy route, so the disruption should be relatively minimal. Diversions will be signposted around Lancaster Circus.

Later in the year, there will be a more significant closure, as the St Chad's and Queensway tunnels will both be completely closed from the 19 July to the 2 September 2013 to allow for essential in depth repairs to the conditions of these 40 year old structures (preceded by about 4 weeks of overnight closures and followed by another two weeks of overnight closures as well). The work is unavoidable and the decision was taken to do it with a total closure for about six weeks rather than six months of total closures at weekends. This method is also substantially cheaper. Either way was going to cause significant inconvenience to drivers in the city, but a total closure for six weeks over the summer means that retailers aren't inconvenienced in the run up to Christmas.

If you drive into the city regularly, it might be worth thinking about how you'll do the journey during the closure period - can you replan your route, avoid the journey temporarily or could you consider taking the train or the bus?

To keep up to date on all things tunnel related, there's a website.

Planning Applications to 20 April 2013

Just a single application:

2013/00789/PA - 42 Victoria Road, B27 7YA
Erection of detached garage/storage building to side and erection of 2m high boundary wall to side.

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Millennium Green Spring Clean

Cllr Stewart Stacey, Cllr John O'Shea and Dee Smyth

Saturday saw bright sunshine as spring finally sprung in Acocks Green and there was a good community turnout to help clean up a hidden little piece of green in the shape of Millennium Green. Litter was picked, soil turned for planting and ivy cut back to stop it choking trees. Cllr Stacey and myself were joined by a colleague, Dee Smyth, to help out the local residents who have done a sterling job in developing and maintaining the site for years.

Forced entry

Picture from @bhameastpolice

The picture on the left shows the small arsenal of weapons found when the Yardley priority team executed one of two drugs warrants over the weekend in Acocks Green. It includes a range of bladed weapons and an extendible baton. The knowledge that this can lurk behind the doors of a few homes is why the police force entry to properties - a few seconds of surprise can save injury.
A large quantity of cash was recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act and two people are in custody, helping with inquiries into robbery and assault.
These raids were the direct result of information received through Crimestoppers, which allows you to anonymously help the fight to keep our community safe.

Elsewhere, inquiries continue into the fire on Cateswell Road - just outside the ward. A 56 year old man was arrested in relation to the fire, which has now been confirmed as arson. A woman died in the fire and her daughter suffered severe burns and remains very ill in hospital. If you were in the area around 5am on Wednesday, the police need to hear from you. You can call them on 101 or contact them through Crimestoppers.