Author: Lesley Webb

Speeding Update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Most residents will by now have noticed the Speed Indicator Device (SID) installed by the Parish Council near the Old Dairy on the A396. Anyone who has paused to observe it will have seen the marked reduction in vehicle speeds as drivers approach the device. This visual impression has now been supported by the analysis of the recorded speed data.

The results show that , coming from Cutcombe, 84% of vehicles are travelling at under 30mph, which is the legal speed limit. Furthermore, 95% of vehicles are passing through at under 35mph, and 99.74% at under 40mph. These figures represent a significant improvement compared with previous data collected by the Police.

Unfortunately, a small number of irresponsible drivers continue to travel at dangerously high speeds — 20 out of 34,666 vehicles were recorded at over 50mph, typically during the early hours of the morning.

The Parish Council would like to express its thanks to Councillors Ian Ware and Claire Gibbard for their work in the installation of the SID and for their ongoing efforts in maintaining it.

Residents who wish to review the data in more detail may download here HERE .

In addition, some residents will have noticed the installation of a new post on the Duddings bank. This post has been approved by Somerset Highways for the placement of a SID. The original intention was to rotate the existing portable SID between the two locations. However, despite being a “portable” device, the equipment is extremely heavy and difficult to move, particularly as it must be mounted above head height. For this reason, the Parish Council has decided to pursue the purchase of a second SID to remain permanently at the Duddings site.

As grant funding is limited, this may take a little time to achieve.

In addition to the SIDs, the Parish Council has requested the installation of a “Bend in the Road” warning sign at Totterdown to alert drivers to the series of bends approaching the Duddings area. Somerset Highways has agreed to investigate this request. The Parish Council will keep you updated on this request.

Lesley Webb

Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

Timberscombe Parish Council

Road Closure Reminder

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment
A reminder that work starts on Monday 9th February to repair a section of the A396, Cutcombe Hill, between Timberscombe and Wheddon Cross. The road will be closed at night between 7.00pm and 7:00am for approximately 3 weeks, from 9th – 27th February.
Each day, the road will reopen between 7:00am to 7.00pm, with two-way traffic signals in place to manage traffic safely.
If works finish earlier than expected, the road will be fully reopened.
Temporary traffic signals are currently in operation at the site, and these will remain in place outside working times to protect the site and for public safety.
The work schedule should also avoid disruption to the Snowdrop Valley event held between 24th January and 22nd February.

Useful travel links

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Travel Somerset – for live travel alerts, roadworks information & winter weather updates

www.travelsomerset.co.uk

·         Report an incident or collision on the road: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/roads

·         JourneyCam Report: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/Opsnap

·         JourneyCam Data: Proactive publications | Avon and Somerset Police

·         Report a community speed concern: Raise a community speed concern | Avon and Somerset Police

·         Report a cloned vehicle: Report vehicle cloning | Avon and Somerset Police

·         Raise Your Ride: Raise Your Ride

·         Older driver forum: Older Drivers Forum | Keeping older drivers on the road safely, for longer

·         Raise Your Drive: Raise Your Drive workshop – Police Referred Course

·         All roads’ reports: Report | Avon and Somerset Police

·         Parking Buddies: Signs 2 Schools – School Signs, Parking Buddies, Road Safety,

·         Speed Enforcement Info: Speed camera information | Avon and Somerset Police

·         Government Road Safety Strategy 2026: Road safety strategy – GOV.UK

·         PACTS 2021 Roads Report: PACTS Report: What kills most on the roads? – PACTS

Decarbonise your property

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

To help your community to decarbonise, support energy efficiency improvements and help to reduce fuel costs, I wanted to let you know about Thermly (https://www.thermly.co.uk): they are a green energy technology company operating to help rapidly increase the uptake of clean energy technologies for homeowners and they have just launched their new service in Somerset. See details in the attached pdf.

As highlighted in the latest edition of Somerset Council’s Somerset Environmental and Ecological Newsletter* (SEEN) there is more support, grants and loans available to support householders retrofit their homes by decarbonising with upgraded heating and clean energy technologies to help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. For further info about Retrofit and a local directory see Retrofit Somerset.
(*If you have community and/or council actions on climate & environmental activities or projects please send them in to climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk for potential inclusion in an edition of SEEN).

Thermly have developed a unique website that enables an interested householder to answer a few brief questions about the viability of their home for these green technologies and obtain a no obligation estimate from 3 local, pre-vetted and Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) certified installers for heat pumps, solar PV and/or batteries from carefully chosen, trusted and local installers. They also support the uptake of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for householders – £7,500 grant towards installing a heat pump.

If the homeowner would like to proceed, they can choose which installer they prefer and have an in-person survey undertaken free of charge which will provide them with a detailed quotation – if they approve, the homeowner can progress with the installation, all managed through the Thermly platform.

If you were interested in Thermly, please feel free to contact Clephane via email atclephane@thermly.co.uk. He would be more than happy to arrange a meeting to talk you through the attached presentation and/or any questions you may have.

In addition Somerset Council’s Climate and Natural Environment Team are going to set up regular meeting with each council’s climate/environment officer (if you have one) or a representative of the council/community engaging with action on the climate and ecological emergency. Please pass this invitation on to your officer or cllr or let us know their contact info for us to invite them to these meetings.

Many thanks for your help,

Best eco well wishes,

Cara Naden
Climate & Natural Environment

Somerset Council
01935 462615