Carnival hits the Green

Only a few days now until the Acocks Green carnival. As always, it is up on the Recreation Ground on Broad Road, with the street procession leaving Victoria Road at 1pm and reaching the show ground at 1:30 after travelling along the Warwick Road and Westley Road.

There's a packed programme of events in the arena and a whole load of stalls from local groups and others - do get along.

The whole thing kicks off at 10am with a Five a Side football tournament and there will be a dog show, caged bird show as well as a children's flower show.

Just hoping that the weather holds off - we don't want a repeat of last year's deluge.

Yardley Road Resurfacing

For over a year, Stewart and I have been chasing our highways contractors, Amey, to repair the one remaining un-resurfaced stretch of Yardley Road between the rail bridge and Francis Road. I've been out with their planning manager and their local manager to walk the road and point out the problems with the potholed and cracked road surface and we've lobbied for it at every opportunity.

Well, the good news is that the road is now scheduled to be resurfaced between December 2013 and May 2014.

Since Amey took over the highway repairs function of the city council, they decide on the roads to be resurfaced and lights to be renewed. Councillors have some influence and can put forward arguments, but Amey's drive is to deliver against their contractual target on a city-wide basis.

Planning Applications to the 29 June 2013

And another couple.

2013/04485/PA - 118 Yardley Road, B27 6LD
Erection of single storey rear extension and stairs to existing flat above retail shop

2013/02796/PA - 12 Grayland Close, B27 7NE
Erection of two storey side, first floor rear, single storey side/rear extension and rear conservatory

You can find the details by inputting the reference number into the Council online database here

If you have any comments, you can submit them online - feel free to pass your comments on to me.

Tree growth to be tackled

The trees have been busy and along a number of roads in the ward, the "epicormic growth" has been sprouting at a tremendous rate, so that it is now obstructing some of the footpaths (Elmdon Road is shown to the left).

I've been in touch with Amey and their contractors will be dealing with this by the end of July.

Biking to Birmingham

As the 19th July gets closer and the tunnel closures start to loom larger ahead of drivers, why not think about biking into the city from Acocks Green?

CENTRO have organised led cycle rides along recommended cycle routes (on road and traffic-free) over the next few weeks:

• Mon 8 July
• Friday 19 July
• Mon 22 July
• Mon 29 July

The rides leave from Acocks Green station car park. Be there at 7:30am for a 7:45am departure, with a planned arrival time of 8:30am at Moor Street Station and covering about 5.5 miles. You'll need to have a roadworthy bike and be able to cycle safely.

If you aren't sure about whether your bike is safe, Dr Bike mechanics will be offering a free safety check on 4 July between 3pm and 6pm in the station car park.

You can get more information by mailing cycling@centro.org or calling 0121 214 7381

I may even have a go myself....