Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society CHIS News archive

CHIS News Archive 2006-2008

The following news items are listed with the latest items first.

Severn Estuary Consultation

The Government public consultation on the Severn Estuary is open now until April 23rd 2008. If you have views please send them to stp-consultation@berr.gsi.gov.uk or D Cook, Sept of Energy, Severn Tidal Power team, 1 Victoria Street London SW1H 0ET

The RSPB is running a campaign, and would like copies of anything sent; send to campaigns@rspb.org.uk or S Roddy Severn consultation campaign FREEPOST ANG6335 RSPB The Lodge Sandy Beds SG19 2BR.

For additional information go to www.rspb.org.uk and follow campaigns link

Brunel Swivel Bridge

The Brunel Swivel Bridge project has been supported by CHIS for many years.

Brunel Bridge plan dropped 29 December 08: Plans for a Festival Way cycling and walking route from Hotwells to Ashton Court and on to Nailsea were intended to bring back into use Brunel's 160 year old swing bridge that crossed the entrance lock at the western end of the Cumberland Basin. The bridge ceased to be used in 1968 after the new flyover system was built but remains in situ in the 'open' (to navigation) position in the shadow of the high level swing bridge and flyover system.
But a recent press release from Sustrans says "The path will cross new lock gates at Brunel's old swing bridge in the Cumberland Basin before going under the flyover". The use of the word "at" rather than "on" (Brunel's bridge) is much more significant than a quick reading would suggest, although the word "near" would be more honest. This confirms suspicions that Bristol City Council are reluctant to restore the historic bridge to working order and will come as a great disappointment to those Bristolians who have pressed for this over many years. Chris Hutt, Green Bristol Blog

Brunel Swivel Bridge
Brunel Swivel Bridge
15 January 08: People from across the UK voted for which bid should get the money from the People's £50 Million Lottery contest. Sustrans got nearly half the 300,000 votes cast following head-to-head TV bidding. It beat the Eden Project, Sherwood Forest and the Black Country Urban Park. One route Sustrans is planning is Festival Way, linking central Bristol to the Ashton Court Estate, continuing to Long Ashton through Flax Bourton, Backwell, and ending in Nailsea.
The Cumberland Basin will be made much easier to use for pedestrians and cyclists, and Brunel's Swivel Bridge, which has been closed since the late 1960s, will be reopened. It is likely that £250,000 is earmarked for its restoration.
David Neale and Ross Floyd's illustrated web page on The Bristol City Docks, The Locks and Brunel's Swivel Bridge
Sustrans submission to Council

Suspension Bridge Resurfacing

The existing timber kerbs and their mastic asphalt covering were removed, along with the cast iron drainage gullies and the timber splashboards. A new drainage channel was installed, with narrow glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) splashboards and extruded asphalt kerbs on both sides of the roadway. The roadway was also resurfaced, and some of the timber replaced (last done 50 years ago). Work on the £650,000 project started in July 2008 and finished in December 2008.
CHIS Suspension Bridge Pictures

Lord Mayors medal

Gill Blakeman has been awarded the Lord Mayor’s medal in 2008 for long service to Guides and CHIS. Congratulations!

Service review of Bristol's Museums Galleries and Archives

17 Sept 08: I have been asked to circulate this letter concerning the current service review of Bristol's Museums Galleries and Archives for your urgent consideration, and for the consideration of the organisations with which you are involved. Through Renaissence in the Regions, Bristol is the Hub museum for South Gloucestershire. Should you wish to comment or act on this letter, the Unison contact details are at the bottom of the letter. You may wish to comment on this letter to officers or councillors of Bristol City Council. Officers include the

Director of the Museums Service - Kate Brindley,
the Head of City Development - David Bishop and the Chief Executive - Jan Ormondroyd.
Councillors include Bristol's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure - Cllr Roaslie Walker and the Leader - Cllr Helen Holland.

Robert Smith Unit, 11 Mortimer Road: Proposed unit to treat class A drug users

27 September 2006: AWP decide not to pursue the use of 11 Mortimer Road as a drug clinic! The next step would have been on 18 October 2006: Decision by Scrutiny Commission about whether the clinic constitutes a substantial variation of service
More details about the 9 month fight

Suspension bridge Lights

The highly effective lights were switched on on the 8th April 2006 at 9:15pm with a fantastic display of
huge and cascading fireworks
Photos courtesy of Tom Scammell
There was a demonstration of the new lights12 May 9:15 2005. CHIS Suspension Bridge Pictures See information about the lights.

Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIS)