Royal Victoria Park work, celebrating our foster carers and investing in Midsomer Norton Work has started on improvements across Royal Victoria Park focussing on new footpaths and lighting. We are investing in the park using regionally-allocated funding, which can only be spent on active travel. Because this money is government transport funding, ring-fenced for walking, cycling and public transport schemes, it can’t be used for ponds, potholes, the play park or even social care. The works that have started cover resurfacing pavements, adding raised crossings. There will be a new zebra crossing on Park Lane as well as installing heritage-style lighting so the park is usable on winter evenings. Blue Badge bays will double near the play area and Botanical Gardens. Vehicle access from Park Lane stays. Parking remains available on all four sides of the park and on the access road, with 177 spaces available. Additionally, 74 new short-stay bays are now available on Weston Road which give the first hour free. I also want to stress that we are working on restoring the ponds, but this is not as straightforward as replacing a pipe or turning on a tap. Technical investigations have looked specifically at potential water sources, including springs, but have found that the historic supply is no longer viable and that the alternative natural sources investigated cannot individually provide a reliable year-round supply. Our work therefore has to address both the condition of the ponds and how they can be supplied with water sustainably in the longer term. Further details are available on our website. Elsewhere, we are continuing to invest in our communities and plan for their future. In Midsomer Norton we are working with residents, businesses and other partners on an action plan. The plan has been developed with residents, local organisations and Midsomer Norton Town Council to reflect what the community has told us you want to see. If agreed it will help us and the town council make the case for future funding and turn ideas into reality. Last Friday, Westfield was the setting for an event celebrating our amazing foster carers. I want to add my personal thanks to all our foster carers for the extraordinary contribution they make. Opening your home and providing stability, encouragement and care to a child or young person can make a profound difference to their life. We are very fortunate to have people across Bath and North East Somerset willing to make that commitment. If you think you can help and are interested in becoming a foster carer please find out more by visiting our website. Supporting children and families is also behind an important project now getting under way in Keynsham. Work started this week at Charlton House to convert the former care home into a new 30-place specialist school and two children’s homes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The homes will each provide accommodation for up to four children. This is part of our wider work to improve special educational needs and disabilities provision and enable more children and young people with complex needs to receive education, care and support locally, closer to their families, friends and communities rather than having to travel outside our area. Have a great weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy,
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council | 
