HHPC News

Solihull Council is due to start work on a new scheme to improve a major route into Solihull town centre by installing traffic lights at the busy Blossomfield Road/Dingle Lane/Danford Lane junction.

The scheme is expected to significantly improve traffic capacity on the B4102 Blossomfield Road corridor. This is a heavily congested route into Solihull town centre particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods; accommodating 95 bus services.

The Blossomfield Road junction itself handles 23,000 vehicles during an average day and currently comprises a roundabout with pelican crossings on either side of the Blossomfield Road arms. Due to the roundabout’s compact nature its two circulatory lanes are currently seldom used.

The junction is located in close proximity to three secondary schools, a technical college and a primary school meaning that there is very high demand for the pelican crossings during school start and finish times.

As part of the scheme and in order to create a more efficient operation of the junction, the current roundabout will be removed and replaced with traffic signals. This will mean that each arm of the junction will have a dedicated green light at each traffic cycle. This is in contrast to the current uncontrolled roundabout where the high usage of the pedestrian crossings slows the movement of vehicles through the junction and leads to queuing.

The scheme will also install a new controlled crossing point on Dingle Lane, improving road safety for those who walk to the local schools in the area. It will also provide a cycle priority lane on the Blossomfield Road at both approaches to the junction.

The work, which will be undertaken by the Council’s highways-partnering contractors, Balfour Beatty – Living Places and Siemens, is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.

There will be no road closures during the work but traffic restrictions will be in place at various points, which may lead to some disruption.

The initial work expected to be undertaken on commencement of the scheme will be the physical removal of the roundabout.

As you may be aware Solihull Council has been undertaking a review of its Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), with a view to publishing a revised document later this year. An assessment of the Authority’s progress in achieving the aims and objectives of the first ROWIP has been undertaken in consultation with various stakeholders. This has been undertaken alongside consideration of service priorities, and resource implications. This has led to the production of a draft second edition of the ROWIP. Before we seek approval of a final document we are required to carry out a further consultation exercise, and take into account any responses received.

To this end a copy of the new draft ROWIP is available via the following link: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Resident/Leisure-parks/fitness/walking/improving-rights-of-way

Any comments and submissions with regard to this document should be made in writing and sent by email to: rowip@solihull.gov.uk

Or by letter to: Public Rights of Way, Highway Services, Places Directorate, Solihull MBC, The Council House, Manor Square, Solihull, B91 3QT

Please ensure that any feedback is received no later than 25th March 2016.

Dear stakeholder,  The consultation on the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) finishes next Monday 8 February.

It’s really important that businesses and key stakeholders within Solihull make their voices heard.

The ‘Scheme’ could unlock nearly £636 million of investment into Solihull over the next 30 years, as part of an overall £8 billion investment package for the WMCA area.

This is a tremendous opportunity to move powers from Whitehall to the West Midlands, and will allow us to work closely together on the issues that really matter to you; growth, jobs, skills, transport and homes.

It’s your last chance to have your say, so please do take a few minutes to complete the short survey, available on the WMCA website.

SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
Highways Maintenance – Grange Road, Dorridge
Notice of Temporary Road Closure
The Council gives notice under Sections 14 and 15 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act
1984 (as amended by the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991), being
satisfied that traffic should be restricted or prohibited by reason of ensuring the tactile
examination of a railway bridge can be undertaken in safety.
The works will require Grange Road, Dorridge, to be closed from 0700hrs to 1500hrs on
Sunday 21st February 2016 and from 0700hrs to 1500hrs on Sunday 28th February 2016.
Informatory warning signs will be deployed, not less than seven days before any
particular road will be closed. Access for emergency services will be maintained at all
times. Pedestrian access to all properties within the restriction will be maintained along
defined routes throughout the period of the closure.
Local Traffic Diversion routes will be provided as follows:
Grange Road, Dorridge – Alternative routes for traffic will be signed via Grange Road,
Earlswood Road, Four Ashes Road, Widney Road and Station Road, and reverse for the
opposite direction.
For further information contact L Pape, Network Rail – 01132775360.

Click on this link to see a plan of the proposed alternative traffic route:

Grange Road, Dorridge - road closure plan

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Solihull Council are working in partnership with Waitrose to help local people secure the 100+ jobs that will be created when their new store opens in May 2016.

The store, on Homer Road, will offer positions covering a range of tasks in the following areas: Customer Café/Service Counters and Checkouts/Replenishment. If you have a passion for good food and delivering exceptional service, you could be the person Waitrose is looking for.

A jointly hosted information event will be held at the Ramada Hotel, New Road, Solihull on Friday 12 February 2016, 5.30 – 6.30pm. This will be a great opportunity to find out more about the roles available, the recruitment process and what it is like to be a Waitrose Partner. Solihull Council will also be there to talk about the employment support that they can offer to local residents.

Councillor Joe Tildesley, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture said: “We are delighted to welcome Waitrose to Solihull. This new store opening will significantly enhance the town’s retail offer, as well as benefiting the local community with the new jobs this development will bring.”

Speaking of their current nationwide programme of new store openings, Waitrose director of development, Nigel Keen, said: “At a time when many retailers’ estates are contracting, we are delighted to be opening new shops around the country and giving people the opportunity to become Partners in our business. These new shops will go beyond the traditional supermarket, delivering exciting modern shopping experiences.”

To find out more about the information event on 12 February and to book a place, please call 0121 704 8192/8076.

Kenilworth Road and Balsall Street to close for resurfacing works

From Saturday 13 February to Wednesday 17 February, the B4101 Kenilworth Road, running through Knowle, and the B4101 Balsall Street, Balsall Common, will be closed to through traffic to allow works to be carried out to keep the road in a safe condition.

A complete closure of B4101 between Balsall Common and Knowle villages is required. To minimise disruption along this busy route, the work will be carried out during the school half-term holiday week with works commencing on Saturday 13 February 2016. A diversion route via Hampton in Arden will be clearly signed.

In order to complete the improvement works, the road will be restricted between 9.00am and 3.30pm each day – the route will be open to traffic at all other times. Access to local businesses and properties along the roads will be maintained during the works.

The road surface on the B4101 has now reached the end of its useful life and needs to be resurfaced. Whilst this will cause disruption to road users during the works, it will result in a new surface that should remain maintenance-free for around 15 years, meaning less inconvenience in the future.

This scheme is being funded as a result of the Council’s successful bid to the Department for Transport’s –“Challenge Fund”. This additional money is awarded to Councils who demonstrate they are delivering value for money in carrying out cost effective maintenance solutions.

This is part of the Council’s three-year highway maintenance programme to ensure the roads across the borough do not deteriorate and become hazardous. Solihull Council apologises to all road users for any inconvenience caused as a result of these essential works.

Road Name – B4101 Kenilworth Road, Knowle & B4101 Balsall Street, Balsall Common

Section – From High Street, Knowle to Station Road, Balsall Common

Date – Saturday 13 February 2016 for 5 Days.

Times – 09.00am to 3.30pm

Following the recent public meeting by Waterloo Housing and Bowsall Developments regarding housing development off Stratford Road, three documents are attached for your information:

The report to the Parish Council meeting on 21st January 2016

Waterloo and Bowsall development report to HHPC

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The conclusions drawn by Waterloo and Bowsall following the public meeting

Waterloo and Bowsall Development conclusion report

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The suggested site plan.

Waterloo and Bowsall Development site plan

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Hockley Heath Parish Council have invited Hampton in Arden Parish Councillor Mike Blomer to come along and talk about his experiences in developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Hampton in Arden.

The meeting will be held at 7.15pm on Thursday 11th February in the Pavilion at Hockley Heath Recreation Ground.

Hockley Heath already has a Village Plan but this has no planning power.  A Neighbourhood Plan will need to be approved by the residents of the parish and will form part of SMBC local development plan.

If you want to learn more, please come along to this meeting.  All welcome.

Please find attached details of proposal Notices for School Road and Shelfield Close, Hockley Heath. The deadline to make representations in regards to these proposals is 19th February 2016.

If you would like to discuss any technical aspect of the Orders, please contact the Council’s Highway Services Division on 0121 704 8004. or for more information on Solihull’s permanent, temporary or experimental Traffic Regulation Orders, please visit:

http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Resident/Parking-travel-roads/roadworks-and-restrictions/tros

School Road and Shelfield Close TPOW Jan 2016 Proposed Notice PLAN

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School Road and Shelfield Close Description 2

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School Road and Shelfield Close TPOW Jan 2016 Description 1

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Solihull Council wants to encourage anyone not yet registered to vote, to take advantage of National Voter Registration Drive next week and go online to register.

On Thursday 5 May 2016, voters in Solihull will go to the polls to elect local government councillors for Solihull and a Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part and have their say. The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Monday 18 April 2016.

Whilst there is still time, it’s running out quickly. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote . It’s a chance to join the thousands of people across the UK being encouraged to register this week.

Nick Page, Electoral Registration Officer for Solihull Council said:

“Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives. I’d urge people living in Solihull to use National Voter Registration Drive to spread the message amongst family and friends that it only takes a few minutes to complete the form and register to vote online.”

Ben Brook, Head of Performance and English Regional Teams at the Electoral Commission, said:

“National Voter Registration Drive exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible, but has not yet registered to vote, does so. It’s easy and quick to do online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Young people, students and people who move frequently are much less likely to be registered to vote so #NVRD is as important as ever.”

Local residents can contact Solihull’s electoral registration office on 0121 704 6042 or electoralservices@solihull.gov.uk