Some commentary on what's happening w.r.t BRT routes and development
on the north slopes, which will overlook the malago. Presumably the
new housing and new BRT route go hand in hand.

Also, if you look a the WoEP's plans for the city from February, they
still have the Bristol-Bath railway path up on their plans. That
implies the engineering team has gone rogue -decided they know better
than the councillors what we need and ignoring local campaigns. Not
good.
http://www.westofengland.org/media/104693/rt%20msbc%20executive%20summary.pdf
http://bristolcars.blogspot.com/2009/04/secret-plans-of-woep.html


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:  <rob@...>
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Subject: Bristol Parks Forum Sat 16 May Report
To: Steve Loughran


To Steve Loughran, Keep the Bank Green

Hi,

Saturday's BPF meeting

The minutes of the meeting are being written up by Catherine at
Bristol Parks and will be issued in
due course. In the meantime here are some notes on the main issues
that were raised and some links to additional information:

Parks Re-organisation

Peter Wilkinson ran through the new structure and updated us with
which posts and been filled and where there were still vacancies. He
acknowledged that for some areas the fact that posts had not been
filled when the new structure came into operation on 1st April meant
that there was a a vacuum with groups having no clear point of
contact.

I hope to have a copy of the new structure on the website later in the
week. There are still two Community Park Officer (CPO) posts to be
filled (Central and North) interviews for these posts are due next
week. Caroline Hollies, who has been appointed as Area Park Manager
(APM) for Central, is on maternity leave looking after her new
daughter Christina. Clare Adams, who has done an excellent job as CPM
in the East over the last few months, has been appointed to cover the
Central area until Caroline returns. A new Parks Operations Manager
(POM) has been appointed as has a new Community Development Officer
(CDO) both will take up their posts in a month or so. Peter also
reported that he will be interviewed for his own job next month.

         -----------------

South and Central Contracts

While the North and East Areas are now maintained by 'in-house' teams,
South and Central will remain contracted out. Peter asked for feed
back on the performance of Quadron who took over the South contract in
February, there were a few issues raised in particular parks but the
overall impression seemed positive. There were also comments that the
performance of Continental Landscapes in the Central area had improved
this year. Peter outlined the time-line towards the award of the new
contract for this area which is to be in place by February 2010 when
the current contract ends.

There will be two opportunities for BPF members to get involved. First
(following a request from Alison) groups in the Central area will have
an opportunity to check the maps/specifications for their parks that
will be included in new contract, this will be June/July. Secondly a
representative from the BPF will be able to get involved in the
selection of the new contractor in the same way as Roland did for the
selection of Quadron for the South. Please email
info@... if you would like to be involved.

         -----------------

AGSP Progress

Richard Fletcher presented a review of progress on the Area Green
Space Plans. There is currently a lull in the 'stakeholder'
consultation but this will start again in June and you should be
contacted with dates for any outstanding meetings in your area in the
next few weeks. The core sessions have been completed in most areas
but many site specific meetings have yet to take place. Some of the
delay has been caused by Sam Parry leaving for a job in London.

It is likely that the public consultation will now take place from
January 2010, rather than the Autumn. This is mainly because the BDF
team have yet again put back the dates for their consultations on the
'site allocations'.

         -----------------

Rapid Transit Routes

One of the issues raised in the discussions was the difficulty in
finding out what is happening about proposals for rapid transit routes
and how lack of knowledge is impacting both the AGSP, BDF and other
ongoing consultation processes particularly in South Bristol.
Apparently as well as threats to green corridors at the Malago and
along Colliter's Brook there is a plan for a route diagonally across
Hengrove Park.

         -----------------

Chocolate Factory Site

Gary Hopkins was able to give us an update on this site which adjoins
the Bristol to Bath Railway Path. As you may know the planning
application was approved, but the development proposed the use of two
plots of land owned by BCC which are adjacent to the Railway Path and
part of what is a linear park. There was a public consultation on the
sale of this land, details are at
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/bristolrailwaypathpublicconsultation

Gary reported that the sale of this land was now considered to be a
key decision to be made by executive members rather than officers. He
said that he was unhappy with how this issue had been dealt with in
the past but that the position was now that there was a scheme with
planning permission that was generally thought to be beneficial to the
area.

Gary stated that the smaller area 'Plot 1' had been leased to the
Chocolate Factory in the past so could be considered as part of that
site, also that without this land the development would not happen. It
had therefore been decided to sell this land.

The larger 'Plot 2' runs along the cycle path and was mainly wanted
for the multiple accesses to the 'Cycle Houses'; it was the proposed
lease of this land that the BPF objected to in our statement agreed at
our last meeting
http://www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/BPFRailwayPathResponse.pdf

Gary said that there would now be a separate consultation on this land
with two options - one with the multiple access ways and one with a
reduced number of access points crossing the land. This consultation
would be through the 'Ask Bristol' e-consultation system. I shall send
you the link when it goes live.

         -----------------

Town Green Applications Update

The Rights of Way and Greens Committee considered the Town Green
Application for Castle Park on 27 April, Members voted unanimously in
favour of deferring the decision because they were not satisfied that
they had been provided with sufficient information regarding the
status of the land. It was agreed that the matter would therefore be
given further consideration at the meeting at 2pm on Monday 27th July
2009. Minutes of the meeting can be seen here:
www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2009/wa/wa005/0427_mins.pdf

Gary Hopkins stated that it was the current administration's aim to
restrict development at Castle Park to the area of the existing
buildings.

Several other people at the meeting reported that Town Green
Applications were in progress. The public inquiry on the park in
Whitchurch has been deferred - report here: http://tinyurl.com/qzpwx3

There was a general discussion on the fact that issues such as the
rapid transit routes, the large scale of the proposed development at
Castle Park and the sale of Filwood Park without proper consultation
had led to Town Green Applications being the only way people felt that
they could protect green areas.

         -----------------

Festival of Nature 6th and 7th June 2009

www.festivalofnature.org

We are looking for volunteers to be at the stall over the weekend and
are asking if possible that those volunteers take a two hour slot.
This will give you an opportunity to promote the good work that your
group is doing as well as the BPF. We would like to get representation
over the period from as many BPF members as possible. If you would
like to volunteer please reply to info@... with
your name, the BPF affiliated group that you are part of and the slots
for which you are available from the list below:

Sat 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, 4-6
Sun 10-12,12-2, 2-4, 4-5

We would also be pleased to hear from you if you can take on
organising the setting up of the stall which will probably be on the
Friday and/or the dismantling on the Sunday.

         -----------------

The Big Lunch 19th July

Ben Barker highlighted 'The Big Lunch' that is to be held on 19 July
and reported that it was hoped that there will be a picnic in every
green space in Greater Bedminster on that day. He urged that everyone
should hold a lunch in their park. More details of the Big Lunch are
at www.thebiglunch.com

         -----------------

Love Parks Week 25 July to 2 August

www.loveparksweek.org.uk

GreenSpace's annual awareness raising campaign, Love Parks Week, has
now been launched for 2009. They are asking as many people as possible
to get into parks between 25 July and 2 August to join their campaign
for continued investment and support for these valuable assets.

You can register your events on their new website: they will be using
the information gathered from the events registered online to call for
continued investment and support for parks and green space.


         -----------------

Draft Protocol: Options when working 'High Value' Trees

www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/ProtocolHighValueTreesDRAFT.pdf

Hugh highlighted this document which seems to suggest felling should
be the first option considered when trees are considered to be a risk.
Hugh urged anyone with an interest in trees in the streets or in their
parks to get involved in the Bristol Tree Forum which is working
towards a tree strategy for Bristol more details via
www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/trees.htm

         -----------------

Save our Green Spaces

Sue suggested that The Forum should become a member of this group but
it was agreed that we need more information and Alison is contacting
them. The email that the group sent out and a copy of their manifesto
can be seen visa the link below . Your group may wish to consider
joining and / or attending the meeting.

www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/SoGS_MANIFESTO.pdf
         -----------------

A few things not covered at the meeting...

The Redevelopment of Kingswear Road, Torpoint Road and the College
Site at Marksbury Road

This was mentioned briefly during the discussions on the number of
consultations that were occurring in South Bristol. This one is being
carried out by a London-based architecture practice FAT. The
consultation documents can now be seen online at
http://tinyurl.com/pgl2fp

These proposals include building on part of the Northern Slopes
Proposed Local Nature Reserve which is also designated as an SNCI.

See also www.northern-slopes-initiative.co.uk

         -----------------

A New Park

Something Hugh meant to mention at the meeting was that the site that
the Cycle City team are currently using as a depot on Station Rd,
Ashley Down, will be given to the community as a park when they've
finished. This was news to Peter Wilkinson when Hugh mentioned it
later.

         -----------------

Colliter's Brook Trek Sunday May 24 10am to Lunchtime

Organised by Helen Adshead (as in previous years) the walk will begin
at CREATE Centre at 10am and follow Colliter's Brook through Ashton
Vale with a pick up point at 11am at Ashton Vale Club for Young People
and then continuing on up to Hanging Hill Woods with a 'bring your
own' picnic to finish. More details at
http://www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/CollitersBrook.pdf

      -----------------

A message from the BBC:

Have you ever wondered how you could get greater coverage for your
group on the BBC?

Are you thinking of having an event, perhaps as part of the Dirty
Weekend, Green Balloon Club or Springwatch and want to get it on the
telly?

As part of the BBC's Breathing Places campaign we are staging
Storytelling sessions at BBC Bristol in May.

The aim is to give a better idea of what News Editors are looking for
when planning a programme - what they need and what they don't!

We'll also reveal how you can get your news story on the BBC's local
and regional output.

The event is free but places are limited and will be issued on a first
come, first served basis; please feel free to forward this on to other
groups or partners you work with, you feel might like to attend.

 There are two such workshops in the BBC West region:-

   *  28th May, 10am-2.30pm: SON&R Centre, BBC Bristol, Whiteladies Rd  BS8 2LR
   *  23rd June, 10am-2.30pm: SON&R Centre, BBC Bristol, Whiteladies Rd  BS8 2LR

If you would like to come please e-mail trish.campbell@... with
the details below as soon as possible which session you'd like to
attend (in order of choice) with full contact details .

      -----------------

Finally I would like to say thank you for all the kind comments I
received at the Forum about these emails. Please do let me know if
there is anything else that you think other groups will be interested
in and I will try to include it.


Rob Acton-Campbell
BPF
www.bristolparksforum.org.uk
BPF Meeting Dates:  25th July, 31st October


You have received this email because you are on the BPF email list. If
you know of anyone else in your group (or other groups) who would like
to receive these messages they can now sign up to the list via our
website. See http://www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/signup.htm

You can borrow mine which is languishing in my hallway. I am tall so
should be ok. Phone me:
0117 953 2411

Kate
16 Somermead Bedminster (off Marksbury Rd)

Kathja Aloni wrote:
>
>     Hi there,
>
>     Sorry to interrupt. But my trusty bike, which I bought in 2000 from
>     the London Loot for 40 quit and which has carried me day by day
>     miles and miles around where ever I had to go, died yesterday. I
>     really finally have to lay it to rest.
>
>     So needless to say I am in urgent need for a new one. I would like a
>     used one, have no need for new and shiny things and it should be a
>     men's as I am rather large - or tall sounds better. It should be a
>     strong, well functioning mountain bike type, but doesn't have to
>     have elaborate suspension systems and all that. It needs to be
>     Bristol and London traffic safe.
>     And I need it rather soon, as it is my one and only form of transport.
>
>     Can anybody help? Any tip is welcome!
>
>     Thanks in advance.
>
>     Gratefully
>
>     Kathja
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.23/1948 - Release Date: 02/12/09
07:20:00
>

There was a consultation meeting last night at the Tobacco factory which a
number of campaigners went to. The link to the consultation documents is:
<http://www.westofengland.org/transport/rapid-transit/consultation-informat
ion>.

You are right to query the consultation process because WEP are making
strategic decisions (bendy buses, initially running on bio-diesel from
waste so no reductions in emissions, more eco vehicles later,...) based
primarily on cost.

Colin

--On 12 November 2008 23:20 +0000 mephistos12
<mephistos.island@...> wrote:

>
>
>
>
> Steve, you are almost certainly right that the Ashton vale route would be
> the thin edge of the
> wedge, so surely getting some actual realistic consultation over this is
> essential because like
> it or not they will build something and we need to be prepared with a
> strategy when the
> Malago plan plots it's evil course.
>
> For an interesting perspective on the Ashton Vale plans we may like to
> check the Bristol South
> Green Party's web page which outlines the proposal.
>
> I have written to the Green Party asking if they have any updated
> information regarding
> proposed routes for the Hartcliffe to centre project.
>
> Has anybody heard anything more and are we in need of a meeting?
>
> Rich
>
>



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Brain
Instrumentation Section
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY,UK
Phone: +44 (0)1225 384816
Email: C.Brain@...

Steve, you are almost certainly right that the Ashton vale route would be the
thin edge of the
wedge, so surely getting some actual realistic consultation over this is
essential because like
it or not they will build something and we need to be prepared with a strategy
when the
Malago plan plots it's evil course.

For an interesting perspective on the Ashton Vale plans we may like to check the
Bristol South
Green Party's web page which outlines the proposal.

I have written to the Green Party asking if they have any updated information
regarding
proposed routes for the Hartcliffe to centre project.

Has anybody heard anything more and are we in need of a meeting?

Rich

On Sat, Nov 8, 2008 at 4:33 PM, mephistos12
<mephistos.island@...> wrote:
> From the outset myself and others suggested that the Malago RTBR proposal was
so
> outrageous that it was a smokescreen for something else and whilst we must not
slacken our
> protest it is clear that our illustrious council have tried to slip the Ashton
Vale/Centre Rapid
> Transit Bus Route through the back door. This is more apparent in the light of
the recent
> meeting at the Tobacco factory whereupon it was said that we have only until
January to
> intercept the proposal. If you care to check the route simulation video on The
West of
> England website you will see how totally untenable this proposal is especially
as they think
> they will run it over the Prince St. Bridge near the Arnolfoni through the
centre and most
> ridiculous of all ... around the Old Market roundabout. Again it is so
ridiculous that they are
> basically taking the piss in order to generate protest and push through the
first part of the
> route whether we like it or not. I basically got an admission from one of the
council
> representatives that they are needing to get this through as a last gasp
otherwise no funding
> will come from Westminster. The burning question remains...who will this route
actually
> benefit?.......well in the short term not that many people I suggest until of
course the 10,000
> homes are built around Long Ashton as well as the stadium. Ahhhh! the plot
thinnens.
>
>

I don't think the malago route is too outrageous to be tenable. I
think that WOEP think that once one route comes, the rest will fall.

Once in the city centre the BRTs will just use the normal roads, which
makes life more dangerous for bikes as bendy buses have a bad
reputation. They will be able to route around the centre. Princes St
bridge, though, that is trouble. They'd been talking about a new
bridge, but now the plans are "bike/pedestrian path with two way
traffic in the other half",  a cycling city proposal that will "also"
benefit BRT. Its been sold as pro cycling whereas it is really to make
it possible for BRT to get through without building a new bridge:

http://bristolcars.blogspot.com/2008/10/oceania-has-always-been-at-war-with.html

But once this is in, the others will be on the map, a map in some
consultant's office that has buses going up and down the malago,
bristol bath railway path, bath newbridge disused line (see
http://www.response2route.co.uk/ ) , and so on. As soon as we see how
wonderful BRT is, we will all change our minds about having it on
traffic free routes. Which is why its important to kill the plans for
the Malago as soon as possible. One tactic here would be to get
video/voice quotes of all the libdem councillors/candidates on the
topic, so if they get into power at the next election then they will
be in a harder position to go through with it. Video and voice makes
it much harder to back down than any discrete promise, now that the
world has seen how youtube videos can decide who rules amercia.

Ashton Vale route plans will be in the council house 10-12 of
November, then elsewhere afterwards.

From the outset myself and others suggested that the Malago RTBR proposal was so
outrageous that it was a smokescreen for something else and whilst we must not
slacken our
protest it is clear that our illustrious council have tried to slip the Ashton
Vale/Centre Rapid
Transit Bus Route through the back door. This is more apparent in the light of
the recent
meeting at the Tobacco factory whereupon it was said that we have only until
January to
intercept the proposal. If you care to check the route simulation video on The
West of
England website you will see how totally untenable this proposal is especially
as they think
they will run it over the Prince St. Bridge near the Arnolfoni through the
centre and most
ridiculous of all ... around the Old Market roundabout. Again it is so
ridiculous that they are
basically taking the piss in order to generate protest and push through the
first part of the
route whether we like it or not. I basically got an admission from one of the
council
representatives that they are needing to get this through as a last gasp
otherwise no funding
will come from Westminster. The burning question remains...who will this route
actually
benefit?.......well in the short term not that many people I suggest until of
course the 10,000
homes are built around Long Ashton as well as the stadium. Ahhhh! the plot
thinnens.

----- Original Message -----

From: Nixie James-Scott

To: malago@...

Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 2:03 PM

Subject: [malago] Re:West of England Partnership Review meeting

Thanks for that info Steve, I would urge everyone to go to the website and make their feelings felt about BRT and the Ashton Vale link too, also South Bristol road link. I also declined to use the listing boxes in comment to the points raised beside the Ashton Vale consultation questionnaire. This seemed to imply that I was prepared to say some ideas were ok and would just have been inputted as positive response to the scheme. Here is the web address, I’m sure someone has already put it on the mails but doesn’t harm to do it again!!

http://www.westofengland.org/transport

PS Still seeing the firecrests in my garden (backing onto Malago) this area is alive with wildlife that just wouldn’t have a habitat left.

PPS Went to Parks and Green Space strategy meeting last night – asked questions about how all these plans being made for green spaces would be affected by BRT routes – i.e. Cotswold Road Open Space, Marksbury Road Open Space and or Northern Slopes as someone else reminded me. We were trying to ascertain whether green space plans or priorities would hold any sway over BRT route planning. Sadly it seemed that it wouldn’t really. However we just need to keep our presence high at all these council level meetings so they know that we would be a force to reckon with.

Hoping that you are all enjoying the wonderful autumn colours around us, especially today with added sunshine! Nixie  

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.9.0/1773 - Release Date: 11/7/2008 9:08 AM

On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 2:03 PM, Nixie James-Scott
<nixiejames@...> wrote:
> Thanks for that info Steve, I would urge everyone to go to the website and
> make their feelings felt about BRT and the Ashton Vale link too, also South
> Bristol road link. I also declined to use the listing boxes in comment to
> the points raised beside the Ashton Vale consultation questionnaire. This
> seemed to imply that I was prepared to say some ideas were ok and would just
> have been inputted as positive response to the scheme. Here is the web
> address, I'm sure someone has already put it on the mails but doesn't harm
> to do it again!!
>
>
>
> http://www.westofengland.org/transport

yes, I got the paper on the AV route in the door too. The thing is,
there is something to be said for mass transit systems, but that is
what roads are for. The AV route has an underused railway, but the
WOEP don't want to run trams on it, possibly because it would deny the
expansion plans of BRT. That's upsetting the transport campaigners
like Pip.

>
>
>
> PS Still seeing the firecrests in my garden (backing onto Malago) this area
> is alive with wildlife that just wouldn't have a habitat left.
>
>
>
> PPS Went to Parks and Green Space strategy meeting last night – asked
> questions about how all these plans being made for green spaces would be
> affected by BRT routes – i.e. Cotswold Road Open Space, Marksbury Road Open
> Space and or Northern Slopes as someone else reminded me. We were trying to
> ascertain whether green space plans or priorities would hold any sway over
> BRT route planning. Sadly it seemed that it wouldn't really. However we just
> need to keep our presence high at all these council level meetings so they
> know that we would be a force to reckon with.

We're seeing this with the plans to build houses against the railway
path. There may be a formal green space strategy, but the council
officers can apparently override it. If you follow the bristol blogger
web site you can see what's going on there -the FOI emails show that
its the squarepeg lawyers that seem to be in charge.

I ran in to Terry M. today, who is the Bristol Cycling representative
at various council events. Apparently there is a West of England
Partnership Review Meet tomorrow

http://www.westofengland.org/meetings/joint-scrutiny-committee/7-november-2008

the BRT report focuses on the Ashton Vale route; it says that using
the existing rails is too risky, "BRT has the lowest deliverability
risk".

I think it's an open meeting, though that probably means you get to
watch and agree, rather than contribute. 10am , the council house.

Steve Loughran wrote:

> Consultation has started on the chocolate path BRT

That's what WEP calls consultation, then? ;)

I've filled in the the two comment boxes, but left the rankings blank;
my text responses were:

==================

There is insufficient information in the consultation information to
make any realistic comment on the proposal but, based on what can be
inferred from the document, it appears that the existing chocolate path
and adjacent single-track railway line are to be entirely destroyed,
with pedestrian and cycle routing moved to a new path on the North side
of Cumberland Road.

If this is the case, I cannot see how this can be in any way regarded as
an improvement in amenity: popular and tourist-friendly railway trips to
the Create Centre will be lost and pedestrians and cyclists will be
moved from a sheltered route right by the New Cut to being trapped in a
concrete corridor between traffic and the buildings along Cumberland Road.

Aside from this, I am unhappy with the (unconsulted) decision to use
bus-based vehicles; the least friendly choice both for the environment
and for other road users by a considerable margin.

==================

Providing a set of pre-defined answers to be ranked, that are presumably
derived directly from your already finalised plans does not count as
"consultation".

As an example, if feature "J" (attractive as it is in the abstract) were
ranked highly, this could very easily be used to indicate public support
for the proposed changes to Princes Bridge (which are of negative
benefit to drivers, cyclists or pedestrians).

I reject the premise of this "consultation" and so have only provided
answers to the free text comment fields.

==================

--

Pete Jordan
http://perlmonger.livejournal.com/

Consultation has started on the chocolate path BRT

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: sjkinsella
Date: Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Subject: [Bristolcyclingcampaign] BRT  Rapid transit consultation




WEP have started consulting for rapid transit plans .  At least one of
the questions is relevant to cycling.





http://www.westofengland.org/transport/rapid-transit/consultation-information



Steve Kinsella
CTC Right to Ride Representative for South West Region

The Old Forge . Kingston Bridge . Clevedon
Somerset . BS21 6TX
tel 01934 838624 mobile 07810 285175
email sjkinsella@...
Right to Ride is CTC's volunteer campaign network – working for all
cyclists at the local level.

CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation provides a
comprehensive range of services, advice, events and protection for its
members.

CTC Charitable Trust, CTC's charity arm, works to promote cycling by
raising public and political awareness of its health, social and
environmental benefits, and by working with all communities to help
realise those benefits.

----- Original Message -----

From: Dave Glover

To: malago@...

Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 11:59 PM

Subject: RE: [malago] WILDLIFE!

We saw a kingfisher on christmas day last year and had black caps so our area gp so worth looking after. Cant wait to spot the goldcrest!

-original message-
Subject: [malago] WILDLIFE!
From: "Nixie James-Scott" <nixiejames@blueyonder.co.uk>
Date: 31/10/2008 21:55

Pity we're not likely to have any of those protected species on the
Malago but the wonderful news is that the firecrests (very rare birds)
are back! I have been seeing them in my garden every day now for a
couple of weeks. I am trying to get some decent photos of them. Will
keep trying. see
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/firecrest/index.asp
am trying to see if there is any recognition of these as rare birds,
they are on the RSPB's amber list as there are only about 100 breeding
pairs in Britain! We have one pair, at least, here on the Malago
(behind Cotswold Road) Let me know of any other rare sightings - Nixie



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We saw a kingfisher on christmas day last year and had black caps so our area gp
so worth looking after. Cant wait to spot the goldcrest!

-original message-
Subject: [malago] WILDLIFE!
From: "Nixie James-Scott" <nixiejames@...>
Date: 31/10/2008 21:55

Pity we're not likely to have any of those protected species on the
Malago but the wonderful news is that the firecrests (very rare birds)
are back! I have been seeing them in my garden every day now for a
couple of weeks. I am trying to get some decent photos of them. Will
keep trying. see
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/firecrest/index.asp
am trying to see if there is any recognition of these as rare birds,
they are on the RSPB's amber list as there are only about 100 breeding
pairs in Britain! We have one pair, at least, here on the Malago
(behind Cotswold Road) Let me know of any other rare sightings - Nixie



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Pity we're not likely to have any of those protected species on the
Malago but the wonderful news is that the firecrests (very rare birds)
are back! I have been seeing them in my garden every day now for a
couple of weeks. I am trying to get some decent photos of them. Will
keep trying. see
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/firecrest/index.asp
am trying to see if there is any recognition of these as rare birds,
they are on the RSPB's amber list as there are only about 100 breeding
pairs in Britain! We have one pair, at least, here on the Malago
(behind Cotswold Road) Let me know of any other rare sightings - Nixie

BBC link for new protection of frog, moth and snail.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/7567435.stm

From Amanda, Cotswold Road.

Amendment to The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment)
(England and Wales) Regulations 2008

Pool frog, Fisher's Estuarine moth and Lesser Whirlpool Ram's-horn
snail are now European Protected Species.

So if they are seen in The Malago area they would not be able to be
harmed, moved, injured or killed if any building work goes ahead.

See below Section 2.

I have copied and pasted the info from the Natural England website.

From Amanda, Cotswold Road.



Statutory Instruments
2008 No. 2172

Wildlife, England And Wales

Countryside, England And Wales
The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) (England and
Wales) Regulations 2008

Made

12th August 2008

Laid before Parliament

20th August 2008

Laid before the National Assembly for Wales

20th August 2008

Coming into force

1st October 2008

The Secretary of State is designated(1) for the purposes of section
2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(2) in relation to the
environment.

The Welsh Ministers, in relation to Wales, are designated(3) for the
purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in
relation to the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and
flora.

These Regulations make provision for a purpose mentioned in section
2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The Secretary of State, in relation to England, and the Welsh
Ministers, in relation to Wales, make these Regulations in exercise of
the powers conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.
Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 and
come into force on 1st October 2008.

(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales only.
Additional European protected species

2.  In Schedule 2 (European protected species of animals) to the
Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994(4), insert the
following entries in the appropriate place—
"Frog, Pool  Rana lessonae"
"Moth, Fisher's Estuarine  Gortyna borelii lunata"
"Snail, Lesser Whirlpool Ram's-horn  Anisus vorticulus".
Consequential amendment to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.)
Regulations 1994

3.  In regulation 39(5) (protection of certain wild animals) of the
Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, in paragraph
(6)(a)(i), omit the words "Gortyna borelii lunata (Fisher's estuarine
moth),".
Consequential amendment to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

4.  In Schedule 5(6) (animals which are protected) to the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981(7), after "Moth, Fisher's Estuarine" insert "(in
respect of section 9(4)(b) and (c) and (5) only)".

Joan Ruddock

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

9th August 2008

Brian Gibbons

Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, one of the Welsh
Ministers

12th August 2008
EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)
Regulations 1994 ("the 1994 Regulations"), which make provision
implementing Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (O.J. No. L206, 22.07.92,
p.7). These Regulations extend to England and Wales only.

Regulation 2 to these Regulations adds three new species to the list
of European protected species in Schedule 2 to the 1994 Regulations.
The three new species are the pool frog (Rana lessonae), the Fisher's
estuarine moth (Gortyna borelii lunata) and the lesser whirlpool
ram's-horn snail (Anisus vorticulus).

Regulations 3 and 4 make consequential amendments to regulation 39(6)
of the 1994 Regulations and Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1982 (c. 69) ("the 1981 Act") respectively.

Since the Fisher's estuarine moth is now a European protected species,
by virtue of the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the
Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the
Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of
Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic
of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the
Treaties on which the European Union is founded (O.J. No. L236,
29.09.03, p.33 (see p.676)), the defence in regulation 39(6) of the
1994 Regulations will apply in relation to the moth without need of
any specific mention of it.

The amendment to Schedule 5 to the 1981 Act means that the Fisher's
estuarine moth no longer receives the protection afforded under
section 9(1), (2) or (4)(a) of the 1981 Act. Section 9(1) and (2) of
the 1981 Act prohibits the killing, injuring and taking and the
possession or control of animals listed in Schedule 5 to the Act and
section 9(4)(a) protects their places of shelter and protection.
Instead, the Fisher's estuarine moth is protected under the
corresponding provisions of regulation 39 of the 1994 Regulations.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as
no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

A transposition note setting out how these amendments transpose the
provisions of the Habitats Directive has been prepared. Copies of the
transposition note may be obtained, free of charge, from Wildlife
Species Conservation Division, Defra, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square,
Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN. In addition, copies of the
transposition note have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of
Parliament.
(1)

S.I. 2008/301. Back [1]
(2)

1972 c. 68. Back [2]
(3)

S.I. 2002/248. The functions conferred on the National Assembly for
Wales by means of that Order are now exercisable by the Welsh
Ministers, by virtue of section 162 of, and paragraph 30 of Schedule
11 to, the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c.32). Back [3]
(4)

S.I. 1994/2716. Relevant amendments have been made by S.I. 2007/1843
and 1996/525. The 1994 Regulations make provision for the purpose of
implementing, for Great Britain, Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (O.J. No.
L206, 22.07.92, p.7) as last amended by Council Directive 2006/105/EC
of 20 November 2006 adapting Directives 79/409/EEC, 92/43/EEC,
97/68/EC, 2001/80/EC and 2001/81/EC in the field of environment, by
reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania (O.J. No. L363,
20.12.06, p.368; and see O.J. L80, 21.3.07, p.15 for the Corrigendum
amending the original title). In relation to Wales, the functions of
the Secretary of State under the 1994 Regulations were transferred to
the National Assembly for Wales (with the exception of those under
regulations 71 to 78) by article 2 of, and Schedule 1 to, the National
Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672).
By virtue of paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales
Act 2006, the relevant functions were transferred from the National
Assembly for Wales to the Welsh Ministers. Back [4]
(5)

Regulation 39 was substituted in relation to England and Wales by S.I.
2007/1843, regulation 5(1) and (13). Back [5]
(6)

Schedule 5 has been amended in relation to England and Wales by S.I.
1988/288, 1989/906, 1991/367, 1992/2350, 1998/878, 2007/1843 and
2008/431. Back [6]
(7)

1981 c. 69. Section 9(4) was substituted by S.I. 2007/1843, regulation
7(4), having been previously amended by paragraph 5(a) of Schedule 12
to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37). Back [7]

Fraser,

All the questions look good.It will be interesting to see the answers.

On Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM, Fraser Bridgeford
<fraser.bridgeford@...> wrote:
> Questions for next weeks cabinet.
> Re Cycling City Project.
> 1. Who will be the stakeholder representatives be on the Cycling City
> Project Board?


There's some discussion on the stakeholder topic on the the bristol
cycling list; Terry Miller is the appointed representative there,
though he can nominate a couple of deputies when he can't attend -I
think Josh Hart is one. A big problem here is that the discussions are
meant to be kept a secret, at least until the council can put out
press releases to state that Oceania has always been at war with
Eastasia, at which point, presumably. we can release our own press
releases celebrating how the cycle city improvements for princes
street bridge will finally add a much needed footbridge along one side
of the bridge.

Doing everything secret doesn't help groups like this or the cycling
campaign -it just creates distrust within the organisations. It also
doesn't stop the council springing surprises.

First secret cycle city plans are starting to surface

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/press-releases/2008/oct/first-phase-of-bri\
stols-cycling-city-programme-promises-new-off-road-routes.en

"The other new 'off road' route planned in phase 1 will enable
cyclists to travel into the city centre from south Bristol via
Hartcliffe Way and an improved Malago Greenway - and will provide
access to a number of key regeneration sites, including Hengrove
Park."

I'm not sure how BRT transport constitutes "improved"; I fear the road
planners worry about connectivity, rather than pleasantness of
journey. But this gives the campaign a chance to put out their own
press release, pointing out the error of the council's ways. And if
they want to make improving the malago a key part of the cycle city
plans, then cycle england become someone we can get to help push down
on the council.

Are those leaflets anywhere nearby Windmill Hill?

~Rich

PS: Hello all, hope summer was good for you. Has anybody got any radio
connections
because now would be a ggod time.