Admin Uncategorized

Roadworks Update 04/09/2025

Cllr Sarah Hands.

This afternoon I had a meeting with the area highways manager, traffic manager and Cllrs Sarah Sawyer (Longlevens) and Stewart Dove (Churchdown) regarding the plethora of road works crossing our three areas.

The traffic manager has confirmed that following our interventions the following actions have been taken. Although these are not the perfect solution they should help to ease the pain that we have seen and experienced over the last two days with school run times in particular.

DOWN HATHERLEY:

Traffic managers visited the site on Down Hatherley lane to see if it was possible to have a different system rather than a full closure. Unfortunately as the work is being carried out in the middle of the carriageway, this is not possible. It does mean that the road will be closed until 12th September. However there are more road closures needed for the developers to add additional utilities and they have been told that this cannot happen and permits will not be issued until the work on the A38 in Longford is complete.

Please note that if you wish to use Down Hatherley lane from the Churchdown Rd East turning to Frogfurlong, this is open. Officers have asked for signage to be changed to reflect this.

A38 AT LONGFORD:

The works being carried out are by Wales and West utilities to replace pipes. They have a permit until November but were asked to start the works at the roundabout end before Longford Lane first so that the traffic coming from Twigworth would not have to wait for the temporary lights before turning onto Longford lane to access Longlevens and Innsworth. This did not happen and has caused long tailbacks and extremely long wait times.

Managers have asked that the works be filled and moved further toward the roundabout past Longford Lane. Works will then move further up after the closure at Down Hatherley lane.

CHURCHDOWN:

The three way lights on Pirton Corner which are causing the tailbacks coming into the village particularly on the A40 were due to end before the beginning of the school term with works continuing without the need for them. Obviously, this has not been the case and Cllr Dove has gone to a meeting with the contractors this afternoon and will update himself following this.

There were planned works on both Parton Lane by the Coop and on Pirton Lane past Winston Rd due to start in the coming days, both involving traffic lights. Traffic managers have informed the companies due to carry out these works that they have to be postponed until after the other temporary lights in the village have been removed.

The work at the mini roundabout on Station Rd is due to finish tomorrow and as yet a permit extension has not been requested. We have been assured that highways can and will use their powers to fine daily for work going over the permit given. Cllr Dove will have a full update on these works.

https://one.network/ is a website that anyone can sign up to and is really useful to see what is happening in the area. It lists:

The contractor
Reason for works
Type of traffic management
Permit length
Conditions

If anyone is aware of a condition that is being breached with any planned works please do report them through fix my street as Highways have the powers to fine contractors.

Admin Uncategorized

Council launches ‘Town safe’ campaign to enhance community safety

Improving safety, high street cleanliness, and tackling antisocial behaviour, is at the heart of a new campaign launching in Tewkesbury Borough this summer.    

Beginning this month, led by the Tewkesbury Borough Community Safety Partnership (TBCSP), the council’s community teams will be working with the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and Gloucestershire Constabulary, to tackle safety issues and raise awareness of the help and support that is available to everyone that needs it.    

Councillor Alex Hegenbarth, Lead Member for Communities and Housing for Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “We know that feeling safe really matters to our communities—especially during the summer, when antisocial behaviour tends to rise. That’s why we’re taking action to help everyone feel secure and supported.   

“As well as working with Tewkesbury Safe in the town centre, our officers—and the police—will be out in the busiest areas, using their powers to deal with littering, dog-fouling and other anti-social behaviour.   

“Tewkesbury, Bishop’s Cleeve, and Winchcombe will all see the benefits of the partnership work which will help keep our towns and villages welcoming, tidy and safe for all.”     

Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Nelson, said: “Preventing crime and anti-social behaviour is never a job just for the police. This summer, alongside frequent high visibility patrols to deter crime and anti-social behaviour and make people feel safer, we’re working with a whole host of organisations that we’re lucky to have here in Gloucestershire, that can help provide alternative activities and support.”  

Throughout the summer, the TBCSP will work with local businesses and residents to tackle fly-tipping, support housing providers in organising community clean-ups and skip days, identify Safe Spaces, and raise awareness of the support available to vulnerable people.   

Steve Lindsay, Gloucestershire Safe Manager, continued: “I’m pleased to see this great response to the Tewkesbury Safe scheme, and I’d urge businesses who are interested in joining to get in touch.”    

Inspector Grant White, from the Tewkesbury Neighbourhood Policing team, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe where they live. My team will be conducting more patrols in busier shopping areas around the borough to help reduce thefts and assaults on shop workers. Joint council and police patrols will also continue to help reduce anti-social behaviour and ensure safer public spaces.”     

Full details of Tewkesbury Safe can be found on the website: tewkesbury.gov.uk/tewkesbury-safe.  

Notes:   

Gloucestershire Safe is a not-for-profit Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) formed by members of the Business Community with the sole intention of facilitating the reduction of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour around Gloucestershire.   
Find out more: Home – Gloucestershire Safe.   

Tewkesbury Borough Council is using £20,000 from its UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop community safety projects over the summer months, including expanding Tewkesbury Safe.  

Admin Uncategorized

Council Plan refreshed to deliver on ambition through to 2028

A revitalised version of Tewkesbury Borough Council’s strategic roadmap has been published, reaffirming the council’s commitment to supporting people and strengthening communities – while adapting to a changing local government landscape.

Originally approved on 15 May 2024, the Council Plan (2024–2030) set out a clear vision underpinned by three priorities: caring for people, caring for the environment, and caring for place. These remain unchanged, alongside the council’s values of being open and honest, respectful, and inclusive.

The plan has undergone its first annual refresh, ensuring it continues to be relevant and focused on delivery. This year’s refresh reflects national Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which will see the creation of new unitary authorities by 1 April 2028.

In light of this, the Council Plan has been refocused as a three-year delivery plan (2025–2028). While the overarching vision and priority themes stay the same, several supporting actions have been updated. Using a ‘continue, change, cease’ approach, the council reviewed each action to focus on what can realistically be achieved by the end of 2028. Many actions are progressing well and will continue unchanged, while others have been adjusted to reflect delivery realities before the 2028 transition.

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Richard Stanley, said: “This refresh strikes the right balance – staying true to our ambitions while ensuring we deliver results our residents can see and feel. With the changes ahead, we want this plan to guide real impact, not just good intentions.” 

Some highlights from actions during the last 12 months include the council’s national Climate Action Scorecard being at 44% – significantly above the national average of 35%.

The Development Management team won Local Authority Planning Team of the Year at the prestigious Planning Awards 2025, recognising their three-year business improvement which saw significant transformation for speed of planning application decisions. The council continues to support local communities and is working towards securing more affordable high-quality housing as part of the Strategic and Local Plan.

The council has also supported people’s health and wellbeing by supporting 12 new and existing warm spaces across borough, which offer free warm and safe places during winter with 12,000 visits to those spaces.

As well as a clear performance management tracker document supported with a suite of key performance indicators that accompany the plan, a number of strategies and programmes will inform and support its delivery. These include:

  • Climate Change and Ecological Framework
  • Housing and Homelessness Strategy
  • Waste and Recycling Strategy
  • Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
  • Strategic and Local Plan
  • Flood Response and Resilience Action Plan
  • Communications Strategy
  • Community Safety Strategy
  • Tree Strategy

The plan will be revisited in 2026 to reflect not only the progress and impact of Local Government Reorganisation but also the challenging financial landscape which the council will continue to face.

Tewkesbury Borough Council Plan can be viewed online at tewkesbury.gov.uk/council-plan 

Admin Uncategorized

Press Release – New approach to grassland maintenance for Tewkesbury Borough

Today (Monday, 12 May 2025) a change in approach to maintaining grassland areas across Tewkesbury Borough, which will also see a biodiversity pilot scheme begin, has been announced.   

The council will no longer cut highway verges on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, and it will only be responsible for maintaining its own land. The county council will use a suite of its own contractors to complete its grassland maintenance within the borough.   

This change will allow Gloucestershire County Council to introduce wildflowers in some areas, which helps towards increasing biodiversity.    

While the borough council will continue to maintain its areas, a ‘No Mow May’ pilot scheme in five locations across the borough will soon get underway.    

To enhance biodiversity and create essential habitats for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, small sections of grass will be left to grow at Abbots Road – Brockworth, Katherine Close – Churchdown, Beeches Close – Highnam, Gloucester Road – Tewkesbury and Binyon Road – Winchcombe. This pilot follows the council’s declaration of an ecological emergency in 2023, and the priority of caring for the environment with further initiatives being explored to prevent species loss and protect the natural environment.   

Cllr Murray Stewart, Lead Member for Environmental Services said: “This step change aligns with the council’s broader sustainability and bio-diversity goals. As well as the No Mow May pilot scheme, we’re also exploring other ways in which we can give nature a better chance to improve biodiversity and support the local ecology.   

“We have let our parish councils know about the new approach and look forward to working with communities to ensure the success of this change.’’  

Residents may notice differences in grass maintenance across the borough and if anyone would like further information, residents can check the council owned grass maintenance areas map.    

For any concerns or comments about Tewkesbury Borough owned land, residents are asked to use the self service portal or call 01684 295010. 

More information about grass cutting by Gloucestershire County Council, the schedule and maps can be found here: Grass cutting | Highways. To raise any issues please use the FixMyStreet app.   

ENDS

Admin Uncategorized

Minimum changes this Easter for waste and recycling collections

Waste and recycling collections on Good Friday (18 April) will go ahead as normal. Collections the following week will take place a day later than scheduled to catch up after bank holiday Monday (21 April).

Catch up collections will run from Tuesday, 22 April through to Saturday, 26 April. Normal collections begin again on Monday, 28 April.

Peter Tonge, Director of Communities said: ‘’Thank you to all our residents who recycle as much as they can. We can all do our bit to reduce and recycle, whether it is opting for Easter eggs that are packaged in just foil or by making every effort to recycle all the cardboard, foil and plastic packaging, it all helps to reduce the amount of waste generated.

‘’Whatever your Easter traditions are, I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the Gloucestershire Recycles Easter webpages which has some tips and tricks for you to reduce your food waste too.’’

Collection dates can be found using the council’s online collection calendar, which is available for reference throughout the year.

Usual collection day – Revised collection day

  • Friday, 18 April (Good Friday) – Collections as usual
  • Monday, 21 April (Easter Monday) – Tuesday, 22 April
  • Tuesday, 22 April – Wednesday, 23 April
  • Wednesday, 23 April – Thursday, 24 April
  • Thursday, 24 April – Friday, 25 April
  • Friday, 25 April – Saturday, 26 April.

Normal collections resume Monday, 28 April.

Residents can find alternative ways to repair, reuse, recycle or dispose of household items and household recycling centres online at Gloucestershire Recycles| Waste Wizard.

This Spring, keen gardeners are reminded that the garden waste club membership is currently available for £58, and anyone interested in the fortnightly brown wheelie bin collection should complete the online form.

For anyone who may be thinking about saving money and reducing carbon emissions, Gloucestershire Recycles has more information about how to begin composting at home and how to become a master composter.

Admin Uncategorized

Council approves ambitious budget for 2025/26

Gloucestershire County Council has approved its ambitious £665 million budget for 2025/26.

At a meeting of council on Wednesday, February 19, the budget was approved by members.

The council is in a good financial position meaning it is able to continue support for existing services as well as make significant investments across the county.

The spending plans for 2025/26 will see spending rise by more than £48.2 million on 2024/25 levels, to over £665 million.

The budget includes significant investment into the council’s priority areas of Highways, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Adult Services, Infrastructure, and the Environment.

  • An ongoing £10 million towards delivering on the council’s £100 million four-year commitment to go on improving Gloucestershire roads, with a greater focus in 2025/26 on tackling rural roads.
  • A total £22.2 million towards increasing capacity and improving school buildings and facilities of schools across the county, including £12.8 million towards a new 200 place special school.
  • Young people with SEND and their families will be supported with an extra £2.1 million.
  • £7.5 million towards the future construction of three new adult care homes is being set aside in 2025/26, with further investment planned in future years.
  • Household Waste Recycling Centres in the county will see improvements with a £1.3 million injection.

The budget will raise £20.3 million to help fund services through a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent. It would also see £7.9 million raised specifically to support work with the most vulnerable adults in the county through a further 2 per cent increase in the adult social care precept.

Despite this increase the council still expects to have one of the lowest council tax levels of any county council. Based on a band D property, residents would pay an additional £6.65 each month.

The council continues to challenge itself to work more effectively and as a result has identified £24.5 million in savings, additional income and efficiencies for next year.

A number of amendments to the budget were proposed, with those below being agreed and therefore adopted as part of the council’s spending plans for 2025/26.

The approved one-off budget amendments were as follows:

  • £100,000 to support the expansion of the successful waterscapes natural flood management project, through a grant to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (Green)
  • £60,000 as funding to the eight Community Libraries (£7,500 per library) towards repair, maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings e.g. LED lighting (Green)
  • £50,000 to increase the council’s budgeted contribution to the Greener Gloucestershire Climate Action Fund, which has just opened to applications from community climate projects that promote behaviour change, doubling the money that can be funded in this round (Green)
  • £50,000 to set up one or two Libraries of Things within Gloucestershire, following the successful example of Charlton Kings Library (Green)
  • £50,000 to extend the term of the popular free bus pass initiative for veterans (Green)
  • £60,000 to engage a part-time coordinator to manage the master composter volunteers and promote community composting initiatives (Green)
  • £50,000 to support a feasibility study considering the implementation of community car clubs in the county, following the successful rollout across Oxfordshire (Green)
  • £500,000 towards a flood alleviation fund (Conservative)
  • £430,000 towards targeted youth services (Conservative)
Admin Uncategorized

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency. 

Flood Alert in force: River Severn in Gloucestershire.

Flooding is possible for: River Severn from Tewkesbury to Gloucester.

Be prepared.

 River levels are rising at the Mythe Bridge River gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.  Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected on Monday morning, 27/01/25.  We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent the River Severn from Tewkesbury to Gloucester. Locations that may be affected include Apperley and Maisemore.  

Predicted peaks: – Mythe 2.6m to 3.0m on Tuesday morning, 28/01/25. No other impacts are expected at other gauge locations currently.     

Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours.  We expect river levels to remain high over the next few days.   

We are closely monitoring the situation.  Our incident response staff are liaising with emergency services and or Local Authorities.   

Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.   

This message will be updated by 10:00am on 27/01/25, or as the situation changes. 

To check the latest information for your area
——————————————————-

* Visit the GOV.UK website to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/031WAF214

* Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 209024.

* Follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.

* Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio.

What you should consider doing now
———————————————

* Monitor local water levels and weather conditions.  

* Get ready to act on your flood plan if you have one.

* Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so.

* Prepare a flood kit of essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, insurance documents, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.

* Businesses should inform staff and customers about the situation.

* Check that you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.

* In rural locations, farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood.

* Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet. 

* Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with it. 

Admin Uncategorized

Twigworth Green – Traffic Order

Gloucestershire County Council shall be introducing an On-Street Parking Order 2017 “No Waiting at Any Time (Double Yellow Line) Restrictions” on various roads within the Twigworth Green Phase 1a development. 

The proposals are in association with the ongoing development at Twigworth Green to the south-east of the A38 Tewkesbury Road (planning ref – 19/00935/APP). 

The measures are primarily proposed to improve the navigability of these roads and to improve road safety generally for vehicles (including cyclists) and pedestrians. 

This will be achieved by preventing inappropriate parking close to junctions, or where it causes obstruction for passing vehicles (including emergency service vehicles), congestion and obscures visibility for pedestrians attempting to cross the various roads. 

The proposals would also supplement Rule 243 of the Highway Code (i.e., no parking within 10 metres of a junction). 

The restrictions to be introduced … No Waiting at Any Time (Double Yellow Lines) on the following roads:

  • Ironbridge Road (82319) – Along sections on both sides of its carriageway between its junctions with Tewkesbury Road and Ironbridge Road (72667)
  • Apley Road (82310) – Along sections on both sides of its carriageway north-east of its junction with Ironbridge Road (82319)
  • Barley Drive (82308) – Along a section on both sides of its carriageway north-east of its junction with Ironbridge Road (82319) 
  • Leighton Close (82320) – Along a section on both sides of its carriageway at its junction with Ironbridge Road (82319) – Along a section on both sides of its carriageway at its internal loop road junction. 
  • Carrington Road (82322) – Along a section on both sides of its carriageway at its junction with Ironbridge Road (82319) 

The lengths of roads fall within the Parish of Twigworth in the Tewkesbury Borough within the County of Gloucestershire. 

More information on this Traffic Order can be found on the Gloucestershire County Council Highways webpage: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/tros/tewkesbury-traffic-regulation-orders-tro-and-traffic-schemes/waiting-restrictions-various-roads-in-the-twigworth-green-phase-1a-development-twigworth/

Admin Uncategorized

Cabinet set to approve ambitious budget for 2025/26

Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet is set to approve an ambitious £650 million budget for 2025/26 following a period of public consultation.

The council is in a good financial position meaning it is able to continue support for existing services as well as make significant investments across the county.

The draft budget for the coming financial year will be discussed at a meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, 29 January.

The proposed spending plans for 2025/26 will see spending rise by more than £32.7 million on 2024/25 levels, to almost £650 million.

The £649.6 million proposed budget includes significant investment into the council’s priority areas of Highways, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Adult Services, Infrastructure, and the Environment.

·         A further £10 million is proposed to be put towards delivering on the council’s £100 million four-year commitment to go on improving Gloucestershire roads, with a greater focus in 2025/26 on tackling rural roads.

·         A total of £12.8 million is set to go towards a new £16.5 million 200 place special school.

·         Young people with SEND and their families would be supported with an extra £2.1 million.

·         £7.5 million towards the future construction of three new adult care homes is being set aside, with further investment planned in future years.

·         The council plans to increase capacity and improve school buildings and facilities of other schools across the county with a £12.4 million investment.

·         Household Waste Recycling Centres in the county will see improvements with a £1.3 million injection.

The Cabinet meeting follows a public consultation which ran from 5 December until 10 January.

This consultation saw 65 per cent of respondents either agree or strongly agree with the council’s priorities for the year ahead.

As well as this, 74 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the funding the council are proposing to allocate to Adults Services, Public Health and Communities, and to Children and Families, with 75 per cent agreeing with the money the council plans to spend on Community Safety.

In addition, 61 per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the council’s funding proposals for the Economy, Environment and Infrastructure. The responses saw a mix of views on whether there should be more or less investment into the county’s roads and cycling infrastructure.

The budget proposes raising £16.5 million to help fund services through a council tax increase of 2.99 per cent. The proposals would also see £7.8 million raised specifically to support work with the most vulnerable adults in the county through a further 2 per cent increase in the adult social care precept.

Despite this increase the council still expects to have one of the lowest council tax levels of any county council. Based on a band D property, residents would pay an additional £6.65 each month.

The council continues to challenge itself to work more effectively and as a result has identified £24.5 million in savings, additional income and efficiencies for next year.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I would like to thank residents from across our county for giving their views in the recent consultation, which gives valuable insight into where people want money to be spend.

“I am pleased that we are in a position to both support existing services and invest in our priorities.

“Unlike many of our neighbours who are making cuts, Gloucestershire County Council’s budget sees us able to invest in critical areas.

“In our budget proposals, we have tried hard to balance the financial strain we are all already feeling against the need to keep investing in services for the most vulnerable and to support a strong future for the county.”

If the draft budget is approved by Cabinet, it will be put to Full Council at a meeting in February.

Further information on the budget and the outcomes of the consultation can be found here.

Admin Uncategorized

Local Flooding – 6 Jan 2025

Again we have suffered another unprecedented rainfall event in a very short period of time, together with the already saturated ground from the pre-xmas storm events… most parts of the country has suffered some flooding event, some more serious than others, our parishes are located close to the flood meadows, (which have flooded, doing their job) we have several brooks which are tributaries of the Severn, there are many other tributaries that feed the Severn on its 200 mile journey before reaching Gloucester… including: The Vyrnwy, Tern, Teme, Avon and Stour…

This part of Frogfurlong Lane (photo 06/01/25), is where the Hatherley Brook passes under the lane…. and it looks like the stream of water is coming from the left hand side (upstream), which makes sense… this location is some way from the housing developments at Twigworth and its SUDs system… which appeared to be doing their job yesterday…. Hatherley Brook and Coxs Brook had breached their banks and flooded adjacent flood meadows…

Photo credit: Helen Ford

There was no major local flooding at Twigworth Green yesterday… only minor flooding of some footpaths and new sports field.

Down Hatherley and Frogfurlong Lane were both flooded…. yet irresponsible drivers still thought they could drive through the floodwater… perhaps we need some flood signs like Sandhurst Lane

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THROUGH FLOOD WATERS!

According to one local resident, on Sunday night we had a rainfall of 40mm; that is one quarter of the whole month of July 2007, the worst month in recent history!