Spring 2004

Editorial

We are glad to note that the Bradway Action Group is also actively taking up the case for retaining public paths around the perimeter of the golf range, and down the side of The Bradway pub.

Just when it looks like things are settling down locally, suddenly it is all change. First the bad news, with Ken Cottrell leaving The Castle, which he has so distinctly made his own. We shall miss your cheery face and regular column Ken, but not your singing. Cheers and all the best for a less stressful future!

Then some good news as Angela and Clare open the new Delicatessen come coffee shop in the old post office on Bradway Road. A refreshing idea, where you are sure to pick up news of what’s going on in Bradway and bump into this editor.

Finally those who have sampled the culinary delights of The Angel pub in Holmesfield will be interested to hear that landlord Tina Gage has moved to Dore, and is now aiming to work her magic on the Devonshire Arms.

John Baker, Editor

P.S You can now sit and share the editor’s favourite view over Dore and the moors beyond, after members of the Beauchief Environment Group replaced the broken seat in the recreation ground next to the driving range and above Little Bank Wood.

Bradway Action Group

Despite the weather, nearly 50 people attended Bradway Action Group’s Open meeting at Bradway Annexe on January 27th. Representatives of the Council were present, as were our three local councillors. BAG’s Chairman, Dorothy Astle, reviewed progress so far:

BAG is now in contact with other local groups at Lowedges, Dore and Totley, various local authority departments, the Police, and Harold Jackson School. A new notice board has been placed by the bank on Twentywell Lane and the old one on Bradway Close is in use again. BAG activities and those of the South West Area Panel will be publicised on both.

Mr Stockley the Head of Harold Jackson School passed on his thanks for supporting the campaign to maintain Bradway children’s link to the Meadowhead School catchment area. The campaign was successful and the link is being retained.

Many Bradway residents had lodged written objections to a planning application for a 5-storey block of flats on the elevated site on Twentywell Lane. This was refused, as was the revised 4-storey application that followed. A further application is expected. BAG will monitor progress, so please watch the notice boards!

Streetforce (Call Centre Tel: 273 4567) provided and will empty 2 litterbins between Bradway Drive and Kenwell Avenue, undertook leaf clearance on Twentywell Lane pavements and erected new street signs.

It has been suggested that residents would like a seat placed near Twentywell Lane shops. The Council estimate the cost at £375(+VAT). BAG’s committee is exploring ways of raising this sum. The Council will install the seat without charge.

Mrs Astle, as chairman, recently attended the launch of the "Message in a Bottle" scheme at the Town Hall. ( see page 3)

Dave Aspinall, the South West Area Panel Coordinator, gave an excellent and illuminating summary of the Council’s market research survey for the South West, emphasising specific Bradway issues. Residents confirmed the Survey’s general findings, raising particular concerns regarding: -

• Lack of public park/green public,
• Little for young people to do,
• Nowhere for young children to play,
• Lack of dog waste bins, and
• Roads - pavements - footpaths poorly maintained

The survey will soon be completed and ways of communicating the results are under discussion. Copies of the summary were distributed at the meeting (also available from Dorothy Astle Tel: 236 6134). More details will be set out in the Area Network Newsletter.

As Bradway currently lacks a focal point and public green space, this could be resolved by better use of land next to the Bradway Annexe. This is Green Belt, is owned by the Council and the public already have access. Residents need to meet to plan and discuss possible developments, like the provision of facilities for younger residents. Council funding is unlikely to cover all requirements, but it will advise on other funding sources.

The Survey’s findings can be used as specific evidence, and a statistical tool to reinforce Bradway’s applications for funding. The Group will hold a special open meeting to discuss this issue.

Philip Dunraven from Environmental Services gave an interesting and informative presentation on the wide-ranging work of his department. BAG had already petitioned for another dog waste bin near the Recreation Ground, signatures were collected by Rachael at the Bradway Pet Shop. (Thank you Rachael). Philip was able to announce that a new bin will be in place in the very near future. Leaflets on Environmental Services were distributed and will be available at Bradway Pet Shop. Philip invited Bradway residents to report any environmental concerns such as dog mess on the footpath between Sir Harold Jackson School and Kenwell Drive. (Environmental Services’ TN: 203 7411 or 203 7410).

Residents were reminded of current threats to local footpaths / rights of way. Evidence of historical use is urgently required on the footpaths between the recreation ground and Bradway Road and around the Golf Range.

Residents raised several specific issues with BAG committee members, Council staff and the Councillors present. Appropriate action will follow. Motto: if you want action on any local issue then come to BAG open meetings.

Mrs Astle thanked everyone for attending and more specifically to Dave Aspinall and Philip Dunraven from the Council and the three Councillors for their contributions.

The next Open Meeting will be held at The Bradway Annexe on May 25th at 7.30. All will be welcome, so please make a note in your diaries now!

Please watch the notice boards for announcements of further meetings and developments.

Alysoun Dungworth

Post Box

Dear Sir,

I would like to take issue with the article "Speed" that appeared in the Bradway Bugle Winter 2003.

There are many other factors concerning the survivability of accidents involving pedestrians than speed. The type of vehicle also has a major influence on the outcome.

Our cars have seen many improvements due to legislation over the last 30 years. Shaped panels, deformable structures and the removal of sharp objects such as mascots have all led to a reduction in the severity of injuries to pedestrians.

Sadly these improvements don’t apply to 4 by 4 vehicles which are exempt. A pedestrian is far more likely to survive an accident at 30 mph involving a car than a 20 mph accident involving a 4 by 4. Fit the off roader with bull bars and the chance of surviving serious injury is virtually non existent.

Just drive past any school at home time and see the proportion of parents who put pedestrians, including their own children, at risk for these status symbols. Yet it is within the powers of government to tax these vehicles off the road and back to the fields where they belong.

Before anyone starts advocating more speed bumps and other traffic restriction why not tackle the 4 by 4 menace which would inconvenience no one.

John Davis

Dear Sir,

Thank you for making mention of my need for wool to be made into garments to be taken to Rumania. I have had three responses and are very pleased with the wool given.

In the next issue of Bradway Bugle, if you have space, I wonder if you would kindly convey my thanks to those who have given.

May I say that Bradway Bugle is an excellent publication and we always look forward to receiving it. It is so full of local news which makes it most interesting.

Thank you again.

Joan Woodman

Dear Sir,

Electoral ward boundary

A final chapter in this saga covered by 'Post Box' in your Summer and Autumn 2003 issues.

In mid-December the Electoral Commission published its final decision for Sheffield which will be implemented for the next local elections in June 2004.

As we suspected, Bradway as we know it will be split between the 2 new electoral wards of "Dore & Totley" and "Beauchief & Greenhill". This means that our elected representatives on the City Council will depend on which part of Bradway we live in. Local boundaries of other public bodies are likely to follow suit, eg. Area Panels, Police, Neighbourhood Watch, etc.

This decision follows 3 stages of public consultation over the past 18-months, and is a disappointment for those interested in retaining Bradway as a discrete neighbourhood within the framework of local democracy.

In response to pressure from other community groups, several late changes were made in other parts of Sheffield. But regrettably only a few Bradway residents were aware of, or responded to this consultation process, and their submissions were eventually rejected because "insufficient evidence & argumentation had been produced to warrant a change to the draft recommendations" in other words their response was "too little, too late".

The lesson is clear for us all - When public consultations are launched, we should press for details to be more accessible, and then take time to study them and express an opinion before others assume that they know better. Our lords & masters don’t always make decisions for our benefit, and silence is often mistaken as approval.

It may be decades before this particular question comes up again.

A.C.Kewley

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