In November, Mendip District Council officers approved the detailed plan for a ‘pedestrian island’ crossing at the top of Bath Road between the new housing development at the former Mendip Lodge Hotel site and Frome College. This is being paid for and built by the developer of the site Latona Leisure. Last year I was […]

The developer of the 7 new houses under construction at the old Mendip Lodge Hotel on Bath Road has resubmitted revised plans for a pedestrian island across Bath Road, to respond to Somerset Highways’ comments on the previous version. Details are required to satisfy a planning condition requirement for a ‘pedestrian crossing’ before the houses are […]

Dear all, I am one of the councillors for Frome College ward on Mendip District Council, and want to keep you up to date, please see below for my latest news on local issues: Opposition to Mendip’s Sunday parking charges Somerset County Council calls for conversation on Unitary Council Changing Places puts Frome on the […]

I have worked hard for 7 years now as the Lib Dem councillor for Frome College ward on Mendip District Council (since May 2011) and Frome Town Council (from December 2013 to May 2015), with and for the local community on a wide range of issues. A record of action: Over the last 7 years […]

In last month’s news I explained that I had objected to proposals by the developer of 7 new houses at the old Mendip Lodge Hotel site on Bath Road, to install ‘dropped kerbs’ instead of a proper pedestrian crossing across Bath Road. A planning condition requires a ‘pedestrian crossing’ for residents of the new development as the site is isolated from […]

Dear All,  please see below a roundup of news from the ward and local area, and updates on what your councils are doing. This has taken some time, so apologies it has been a long time since the last one. Old Showfield improvements to continue Frome Town Council is planning further improvements to the Old […]

Original article (see updates below) Last August (2016), B&NES Council announced they were reviewing (and hoping to cut) their subsidy for the 267 evening services that run from 8pm between Bath and Frome (and stop at Norton St Philip, Rode and Beckington) and did a short consultation. I immediately began working with FAVBUG, Frome Town […]

At the time of writing we still await a decision from NHS England on whether they will allow Frome Medical Practice to close Locks Hill surgery permanently. Of course the consultation on the closure should have been carried out earlier and for longer, and the NHS should have given approval before the lease ran out […]

Dear All,   A quick update – and some questions at the end for you –   Referendum approves Frome’s Neighbourhood Plan: Yesterday the people of Frome voted to back proposals for a new Neighbourhood Plan, with 86% voting in favour and 14% against. A total of 3,631 people voted – a turnout of 17.9% […]

Dear All, A quick further update on news for Frome College ward and surrounding areas in Frome, Mendip and Somerset. Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Evening 267 buses under threat – we need your help:  As the recent Frome Standard and Frome Times front page stories explain, […]

Update: Urgent – As the recent Frome Standard and Frome Times front page stories explain, Bath & North East Somerset Council are reviewing their support for the 267 evening bus services, to try and reduce costs. This affects the 9.10pm and 11.10pm Bath to Frome buses and the 8pm and 10pm Frome to Bath buses […]

Please see below my newsletter for Frome College ward, Frome and Mendip. I hope you find it useful. How can I help? Please get in touch if you have any issues you need help with. Leisure Centre reopening delayed: As a member of Mendip District Council’s Leisure Strategic Board, last week I had a tour […]

Newsletter 25th June 2015 Please see below for news about: news about the development at Stonebridge (Forest Road shops) Fusion’s take over of Frome Leisure Centre Tim Farron Bus cuts Old Showfield Welshmill Park Missing Link fundraising Stonebridge development update: Planning permission was granted by Mendip District Council in January for the expansion of the […]

Stonebridge Tesco/shops extension and housing: Plans have been submitted to Mendip District Council for the extension to the Tesco Express store and the pharmacy at Forest Road, Stonebridge, the creation of an additional smaller shop unit, and 4 residential flats above, with an extension and amendments to the existing car park. This news is also […]

Mendip District Council has granted planning permission for the revised plans for a Co-op convenience store at Fromefield, which will demolish the former surgery building on the corner with Rodden Road/Bath Road, after the planning officer recommended approval and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Board waived it through, despite local objections. I […]

“A public meeting will take place in Frome, organised by Cllr Derek Tanswell, with First bus to discuss the 267 and other issues around the bus network. Cllr Sharon Snook said that leading activist Tracy Harding and Denise Bull have played a magnificent part in getting awareness and bringing people together. Derek said the 267 […]

I have just been told by county councillor Sam Phripp (Lib Dem, Frome North) that following the protracted campaign by passengers in Frome and Rode, First Bus have at last decided to abandon their plans to bypass Rode and Sainsburys in Frome! First Buses have are now submitting an emergency registration to reinstate the 267 […]

First Buses has just announced (5th March) changes to their bus services 184, 234 and 267 that affect passengers in Frome and Rode village. From April 13th, the changes mean that the 267 Bath-Frome service will no longer serve Rode, and will instead use the A36 between Woolverton and Beckington.  Although Rode would still be […]

Somerset Highways have informed me that their recent proposal to lower the speed limit on Oldford Hill, just to the north of the Bath Road/Gypsy Lane/Cuckoo Lane junction has been cancelled. This is really disappointing. This was due to the opposition to an increase in speed limit at Oldford, which was also proposed in the […]

With 14 more houses proposed at the former Mendip Lodge Hotel site (‘Bath Road Heights’), I am arguing for a new pedestrian crossing there to allow people, including College students, to cross the road safely to walk into town, to get a bus or go to school. Please see here for further details. I have […]