Climate Change News

from your Parish Council

Dear Parishioners

It is starting to cool down and heating is going on so it is timely to consider the best energy savings ideas and see what improvements you can make to reduce your carbon footprint and your bills at home.

Have you checked how much loft insulation you have? To meet current Building Regs you need at least 270mm of loft roll whether it’s sheep’s wool or hemp or mineral wool. Aim for 350mm. Most people have about half this… and 25% of your heat goes out through the roof. If you can’t get in your loft for safety reasons then ask a trusted person or qualified installer to do this for you. Make sure air gaps for roof ventilation are not obstructed. Seek advice if you’re not sure.

Is your cylinder insulated? Are your pipes all insulated? Draught proofing? Use thermally backed curtains to reduce heat loss through your windows. Have you got double glazing? If you have cavity walls have they been cavity filled if suitable?

Consider turning down your thermostat by 1^oC which could save 8% on your bills according to Carbon Trust.

If you have a condensing regular or combi boiler then turn down the heat flow temperature to 55^oC (usually inside the front cover) or ask boiler technician to do this for you. Check your manufacturer’s instructions- see useful U tube videos on how to do this correctly.

https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/energy-saving-advice/

Want to go further then make the most of the heat pump grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which is now £7,500 and will cover the cost for a small heat pump or make a big contribution to a larger installation. The grant is also available for biomass boilers. If your gas/oil boiler is old then check out heat pumps!

https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme

We can’t advise on installers but make sure you look for MCS accreditation (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). These installers are on a register so they ensure staff are trained. They also use specified MCS certified products with published performance figures.

The parish council will have a Climate Evening in the new year to share experience and ideas in the parish.

Cathie Eberlin

Parish Councillor

CLICK HERE TO CHECKOUT Operation Snap | West Mercia Police

As part of Operation Snap, members of the public can report and submit digital footage showing potential traffic offences via a secure online form.

Submit footage

This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.

Please note; issues with number plates, windscreens and minor traffic offences are unable to be dealt with via Op Snap and general parking complaints should be raised with the relevant local authority. Notification of untaxed vehicles can be reported directly to DVLA, reports of no MOT or no insurance should be logged to 101, not via the Op Snap portal.

Your submission will be sent to West Mercia Police where the evidence will be reviewed by one of our road traffic police officers.

One statement is required for each submission/offending vehicle. We are unable to process multiple offences sent as one submission.

West Mercia Police will strive to update each submitter regarding the outcome of their allegation. All submissions are dealt with pro-actively to help reduce risk taking and poor driving on our counties roads.

Any footage submitted through the portal can be used by us to help educate other road users and to advise on case results.

Please note – if you operate a recording device in a public place, you may have obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is in your interest to familiarise yourself, and comply with, any such obligations as apply to you. If you are in any doubt as to your obligations, please obtain independent legal advice to ensure you do not put yourself at risk of prosecution. By submitting footage you acknowledge you have read and understood this before proceeding.

There is an app, “Speedcam Anywhere 2” that can be downloaded to use.  The content is then submitted to Operation Snap.

https://speedcamanywhere.com/. The app charges £14.99 for 100 recordings which can then be passed across to the police.

(Please take note of the GDPR alert highlighted above)

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section or email 

’Dear Parishioners,

It is often brought to our notice that there is a problem with pavement parking in Abberley. It is misguided to think that it is helpful to park across the pavement. It may allow cars to pass unimpeded but it makes it IMPOSSIBLE for pedestrians, people with sight problems and pushchairs and prams to pass safely.

Below you will see the rules about parking as written in the Highway Code. They are advisory but extremely sensible. If it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to park on the pavement please make sure that you leave enough room for a pushchair to pass.

HIGHWAY CODE

244 You SHOULD NOT park on a pavement
Parking on a pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.

LAW GL(GP)A Sect 15

243 DO NOT park

– near a school entrance

– opposite or within 10 metres (32ft) of a junction

– near the brow of a hill

– where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles

– in front of an entrance to a property

– on a bend

NB DO NOT instructions are prosecutable whereas SHOULD NOT is advisory

Rosedale, Abberley, Worcestershire

01 May – 12 June

Roadworks, Delays possible

Traffic management: Traffic control (give & take)

Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: LB525LB525A7W-13044161B