On the afternoon of Monday 18th October a number of residents from Selly Park South took part in a West Midlands Police Community Speed Watch operation on Dogpool Lane and Cecil Road. The scheme involves community members working alongside members of their local neighbourhood police team in using a speed camera to measure vehicle speed. During the operation six motorists were caught speeding and as a result will be sent warning letters informing them that they were caught speeding and if they are caught doing so again they will face possible criminal proceedings. The letter also educates drivers about how their speeding can affect the safety of pedestrians and other road users.
IMAGES ON RIGHT: 1 to 3 - Residents and Police Officers carrying out Community Speed Check; 4 to 5 - Dogpool Lane Bridge; 6 - Pershore Road.
REPORT ON SELLY PARK SOUTH NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM OPEN MEETING HELD TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING: An officer from the Selly Oak Neighbourhood Police Team reported on a serious racist assault which took place recently on Pershore Road and asked members of the public for their help in providing information. Details are given on the Forum website Local News page. The officer also consulted with residents on plans to seek measures to curb antisocial behaviour by some gangs of youths in the area. The problem of illegal turning by drivers from Pershore Road and Dogpool Lane through the Ten Acres estate was also discussed and the police will continue to carry out traffic enforcement operations as much as possible, However it is felt that the problem will only be solved when the City Council takes measures to improve the congested junction of the two roads mentioned.
THE EDF BIRMINGHAM HALF MARATHON: The race will pass in both directions along Pershore Road on Sunday 24th October and an organising officer from the City Council was at the meeting to give latest details and to answer questions from residents.
PLANNED REPLACEMENT OF DOGPOOL LANE BRIDGE: The Forum’s Communication Secretary reported on the latest information received from the City Council that the construction work is scheduled to start in March or April 2011 and will last several months. It is also planned to install a traffic light controlled crossing for pedestrians and the Rea Valley cycle route adjacent to the new bridge, although as this will be financed separately the timing of the work on the crossing is dependent on the availability of funding. It was agreed however that it would be most cost effective and least disruptive to carry out both projects at the same time.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD FLOOD ACTION PLAN: The Flood Action Coordinator reported on recent high river levels on the Rea and on the continuing work of the local Flood Action Group.
SELLY OAK CONSTITUENCY AWARDS: The Chair reported that in these annual awards SPS Forum and Flood Action group have received a Letter of Commendation for their work and that the Forum’s Website Editor and Communication Secretary, John Clayton, is one of four finalists selected for a Community Award.
WEBSITE: The number of daily visits to the Forum’s website is generally in the thirties and forties and on occasions over the past two months has been in the fifties and sixties.
VARIOUS OTHER MATTERS OF BUSINESS were raised by residents at the meeting.
