The Bradley Stoke Journal

The long-standing dispute between Bradley Stoke Town Council and Northavon Bowls Club has escalated to the point where the Council has padlocked the gates to the bowling green at Baileys Court Activity Centre. The green and pavilion are leased by the Club from the Council under an agreement dating back to the 1990’s, when the former Northavon District Council constructed the original facilities.

The dispute stems from a decision by the Council, in early 2007, to increase the annual rent charged to the Club by 54%. With the two parties unable to come to an agreement, the Council, in October 2007, served notice on the Club to terminate the lease.

Mindful of the oncoming new bowling season, the Club recently agreed to pay “without prejudice” the increased rental amount, but the Council are still refusing the Club access to the bowling green and pavilion until a new agreement is signed.

Tonight (Monday) sees a further meeting between the Council’s working group and the Club to see if agreement can be reached in time for the opening of the new bowling season later this week.

Signs on display today (Saturday) indicate that the new Tesco filling station in Bradley Stoke’s new town centre development will open on schedule this coming Monday, 7th April 2008 - confirming an earlier report in The Journal.

With two days to go before the opening, there seems to be plenty of last-minute finishing-off work to do, but management are evidently sure that the tasks can be completed in time. Demolition of the old filling station is expected to commence as soon as the changeover is complete, so that construction of the new town square and associated shops and offices can be started. The approved planning agreement requires that the bulk of the town square complex be complete before the new Tesco store can open for business.

South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has announced a public consultation on plans to implement a bus priority scheme at the Aztec West roundabout and the section of Bradley Stoke Way between the roundabout and Woodlands Lane. The aim of the proposed work is to “allow buses to avoid the queues and delays that occur on the approaches to the roundabout during the weekday morning and evening peak periods”.

The proposals form part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) identified in the Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP) produced by the West of England Partnership, formed of four unitary authorities - Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire - and a range of social, economic and environmental partners.

The detailed plans are available on the SGC website and will be on display in the shopping centre of the Aztec West Business Park from Monday 14th April to Monday 18th April.

Responses to the consultation must be made to SGC by Monday 28th April.