February 5, 2010
An invite to all intrepid adventurers to join a local group of walkers, open to all to meet at 0900hrs at Cottesbrooke Junior School. Meet at the main school gate, in Cedars Avenue every Wednesday mornings during school term times. Routes vary around the Acocks Green Area and last for around an hour and with an opportunity to finish with a chat and coffee.
January 22, 2010
The new No. 37 bus day return ticket
To promote the 37 bus service, which runs from Solihull to Birmingham City Centre, National Express West Midlands (formerly Travel West Midlands) have introduced a special £2.50 day return ticket and £8.50 weekly bus ticket for use on the 37. This is great value if you only need to use this service.
From 31st January some of the bus services in Acocks Green are also changing .
No. 41 and No. 32 Buses Withdrawn
National Express have decided to withdraw the no. 41 and no. 32 buses and parts of these routes will be covered by two new services; the no. 42 and no. 3A services as well as an extention to the 31 route.
According to the bus company, the no. 41 is a “complicated, unpopular and most complained about route”.
New 3/3A Bus route
The 3/3A is a new service, replacing services 12, 41 and 32. Service 3A will run from the city centre to AG via the current route of the 12 to Shirley (Haslucks Green Rd), then via the route of the 32 and 41 to AG. This will run all day, linking parts of the Gospel Oak estate with the city centre, as well as Yardley Wood, Shirley Station and Wake Green every 30 minutes.
Extended 31 Route
Service 31 is being extended to Shirley Church from its current terminus point at the Gospel Oak pub. This will run down the current route of the 32 to Robin Hood, then along the Stratford Road to Shirley Church every 15 minutes. This provides a new all day link to Shirley from Gospel Oak and also reinstates an all day link between AG and Shirley. 31 will run as far as Robin Hood evenings and Sundays.
New No. 42 Route
The new 42 service will run from Solihull Station to Yardley Swan via the current route of the 41. From Yardley the 42 will run via the current route of the 32 to AG. Service will run every 30 mins Mon – Sat
Presumably new timetables will be published soon, or check the website:
January 6, 2010
Our fellow community group and friends from Hazelwood Road have organised what promises to be a friendly and fun night to celebrate St Valentines Day. See below for all the details.
December 30, 2009
Acocks Green Neighbourhood Forum wishes everyone in the area a Happy New Year and here’s hoping 2010 is a good year for our community. If you would like to share your views or thoughts on what makes Acocks Green a good place to live or what would make it better please get in touch. All comments are welcome.
There is lots happening in Acocks Green, there are great community organisations working hard to enhance lives here in the village. Find out more by putting our website on your Favourites list. If you are involved in community events then let us know so we can perhaps help promote them.
Once more Happy New Year!
December 16, 2009
Following the talk at our recent Public Meeting from Friends Of the Earth regarding their campaign to reduce speed limits to 20 mph on Birmingham’s residential roads, you may have seen the subject in the news in recent days. Britain has some of the safest roads in Europe but there are government targets to reduce road accidents further. FOE will be pleased with the adoption of the new limits in some of the London Councils as reported in the Evening Standard:
“Eight London Councils have revealed they are introducing 20 mph limits on residential roads. Islington has already confirmed it will be the first borough in the country to introduce a blanket limit next month. Hackney plans to follow suit by 2012. Merton said research strengthened the case for blanket limits.
Researchers found 20mph zones were associated with 40% reduction in casualties and collisions. The greatest reduction in accidents was amongst children and seriously injured. Pedestrian injuries were reduced by nearly a third and cycling casualties by 17%. Reductions were greatest in children aged under 11.
There was no evidence of “casualty migration” to areas bordering the 20mph zones. The effect of the 20mph zones was that of a steep reduction in casualties and collisions by an amount that has taken over 20years to achieve on roads without 20mph zones. The evidence supports the rationale for 20mph zones not just in major cities but also in similar metropolitan areas elsewhere”
This information was extracted from The London Evening Standard published on Friday 11th December 2009, who in there editorial welcomed the reduction of accidents from 20mph zones. However, there was a need to find balance in the needs of all road users- including drivers, and the risk from increasing congestion and delays.
On a further interesting point; the option of using 20mph zones were discussed in council at Birmingham, back in mid 2009, were it was stated that there is a need for greater consultation around the involvement of 20mph zones, having been identified. Although there was a target to introduce 20mph zones outside every Primary School in the City and the possibility of different coloured street furniture around schools to alert drivers was being considered.
What do you think about a 20 mph speed limit on residential roads in Acocks Green? Let us know by adding your comments.
December 14, 2009
Thanks to local resident Mick Lawley for sharing his interesting collection of photos of Acocks Green. Go to ‘Photographs’ page and click on the link at the bottom of the page. This is my personal favourite:
Worked out where it is yet?
December 9, 2009
The festive season is upon us and it’s hard not to notice the very impressive christmas trees put up by Washland Launderette.
The owners of the laundrette have been erecting a tree from their premises for over 30 years, according to a local resident. This year the blue colours co-ordinate nicely with the shop front.
Thanks to Ross Cameron for the photos that capture the decorations so well.
December 8, 2009
Stone Hall Adult Education Centre have contacted the forum to inform us of a new 10 week beginners French course which starts in January. Details as follows:
course start date: Friday 8th January 2010 at 11.30 – 1.00.
The cost of the course will be:-
Full fee - £52.50 under 65
£42 – Over 65
£21 – Over 19 – 64 on income based benefit
For more information telephone 464 9150 or just come along on the day
December 5, 2009
Thanks to all those members of the public who came along to the Public Meeting last Thursday. Thanks also go to Joe Peacock, a keen cyclist from Friends of the Earth, who addressed the group about their campaign to reduce speed limits to 20 miles an hour in residential areas. He explained that Portsmouth had already adopted this limit and it had been seen to be successful. Birmingham FOE are encouraging local people and groups to support this campaign to introduce it in Birmingham. The limit only applies to non ‘A’ Roads but makes it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. He explained that reducing the speed to this figure would result in less slowing down and speeding up and so the average speed is often not affected. There was much discussion on the subject, some people had reservations but approximately 50% of the meeting thought it would be a good idea. What are your views? Let us know by leaving a comment.
PCSOs and Sgt Mirams from the local Constabulary also attended, giving the meeting an update of policing issues. More discussion ensued about the alleyway from Stockfield to Yardley Road, no decision has yet been made, Sgt Mirams accepted that there were 2 sides to the argument for closing it permanently. There is some debate as to whether is is deemed an official Public Right of Way, even though it has been in existence for over 50 years.
Thanks to Jennifer for offering those in attendance fresh coffee, tea and mince pies! The next Public Meeting is in February, check this site for more details.
December 5, 2009
Local people are assured of a warm welcome at the recently refurbished coffee shop at the Community Hall on Yardley Road. The shop is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – 9.30 til 12.30. There is space to have informal meetings and discussions or just enjoy a hot drink in a pleasant environment.
Thanks to Douglas Cameron for sending the photos of the shop.
