Speed bumps in Bradley Stoke have been blamed for causing damage to car suspensions after two readers complained about huge repair bills.

The Bradley Stoke Examiner has been contacted several times in the past week over the issue which has seen one bill of £1,000 to fix damage.

Mechanics at the garages near the town have told customers that they are getting other cars with exactly the same problems.

One of our readers, who lives in the north of the town, blamed the type of speed bump saying the shape in the middle of the road caused car wheels to bend in an “odd way”.

Another of those whose car has been damaged is Conservative town councillor John Ashe who told us that his car, which has only driven 55,000 miles, suffered a snapped rear spring.

“The mechanic says he gets this all the time, but especially with Renaults and Vauxhalls and he is certain that this is caused by speed bumps.”

Mr Ashe added that a different type of speed calming will be used as “first option” in the future.

“The Conservative-led county council has promised that no more speed bumps will be laid, but we don’t have the funds to remove the thousands that blight our roads.

“Raised tables have been installed outside Hambrook Primary School in Moorend Road, Winterbourne, and it is proposed to use them as part of the scheme in Filton Avenue.

“I understand that all future traffic calming schemes involving ‘vertical deflection’ will consider the use of raised tables as a first option.”

Despite the issues over possible damage, South Gloucestershire Council says speed cushions cut accident levels.

The authority says a 2004 study “shows that accident numbers have dropped by as much as 61% in areas where speed cushions have been introduced.”

“In some cases, the introduction of speed cushions reduced the number of accidents to zero in the three years after they were introduced.”

Many of the speed cushions in Bradley Stoke were installed between 2001 and 2003 in areas such as Bailey’s Court and Brook Way.

South Gloucestershire Council archive reports from the time cite speeding and “personal injury accidents” as the main reason for their use.

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Has your car suffered damage from speed bumps in Bradley Stoke? We would love to hear your stories. Use the comments on this story…

A new no stopping zone could be introduced outside Wheatfield School as part of it’s new travel plan.

South Gloucestershire Council are consulting with residents over the scheme which would see cars unable to stop outside the school.

The authority is proposing the zone for more than 100 metres towards Harvest Close.

If the plan is given the go-ahead there will also be new dropped kerbs and footway bollards to slow cyclists.

• Full details of the consultation from South Gloucestershire Council

Bradley Stoke Town Football Club have been promoted for the third season in a row after a win against promotion rivals Shireway Sports.

The side will go up from Bristol and District Division Four after a 3-0 win at the Jubilee Centre.

First team manager, Martin Lee, was full of praise for his side which has only conceeded one goal at home all season:

“We have performed as a team this year, we defend from the front and we attack from all sides.

“Everyone in every match has tried their best for me and I really appreciate that. You have listened to me and have showed great respect for me which I thank you all for.”

Assistant manager Nick Potter said: “I never imagined that since starting the club with Chairman James Palmer in February 2005 our club would have come so far in such a short space of time.

“This is the second championship win in three years, gaining promotion in each of the last three seasons.”

Mr Potter added that the team’s efforts, combined with the management of Mr Lee, will take them far:

“We are a young team with some very talented players. There is a belief that with this squad of players and with the management structure we have in place, this team could go a long way.

“The club acknowledges the outstanding achievement of the manager, Martin Lee. He is so passionate about the club and game, we certainly have the right man at the helm, and I’m certain he can take the team to many more glorious victories.

“Thanks to to Dave Gore, a first team assistant, who has imparted his knowledge of the game to bring the best out of the players, and help with running the line and stepping in to referee a game or two when needed.”

Many thanks to Nick Potter for the celebration photographs.

• Bradley Stoke Town FC
• Guide to groups, clubs and community in Bradley Stoke

The managers of The Willow Brook Centre in Bradley Stoke say the 10mph speed limit is for customer safety which is their “priority”.

The comments come after readers of The Bradley Stoke Examiner complained about the low limit imposed on the town centre car park.

One user described the limit as a “joke” and claimed it would be faster to get out “and push your car”.

Another even said when observing the 10mph limit the person behind him cut in front.

“The driver behind got so annoyed he turned off by the recycling bins and then cut back out in front of me… 10mph really is just too slow.”

The centre’s management issued a statement saying customer safety in the car park was key.

“The speed limit that is currently set to 10mph is typical for car parks that are large, experience high volumes of traffic and when the turnover of parking spaces is constant.

“The restriction in place at the centre have been carefully considered and takes into account the potential noise disturbance that could impact our neighbours in Manor Farm Crescent and Dewfalls Drive.

They added “the presence of pedestrian crossings and also the high customer flow we see at the centre” were also factors.

“Customer safety is of the highest agenda and the current speed limit ensures this remains as a priority.”

Six more units at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook Centre are under offer from retailers, The Bradley Stoke Examiner has learned.

The new tennants for the stores – four in the mall area and two in the retail terrace – could be revealed within the next few weeks.

The centre’s management say “under offer sashes” will appear on the units this week ahead of the stores officially signing up.

The Willow Brook Centre opened in October 2008 with a Tesco Extra featuring alongside shops such as Carphone Warehouse, Costa Coffee and Subway.

Ladbrokes, Brantano and Westword have previously announced they are to open in the town centre.

• Who would you like to see open a store at The Willow Brook Centre? Let us know by using the comments on this story.
• Guide to The Willow Brook Centre

The first meeting of a residents’ association set up in the wake of protests at a home used to shoot porn films has been hailed a success.

The Lakeside Association has its first meeting at the Bailey’s Court Activity Centre on Monday.

The group involved some of those living on The Coppice near the home which has featured in the adult movies.

The group was set up with the help of local councillor Ben Walker who said it was a “positive meeting”.

Cllr Walker said the meeting went well and an array of subjects was discussed by residents, not just “Coppice issues”.

The group is now looking for both a chairman and a secretary to lead its “pro-active” approach to issues in the area.

A man who was assaulted by a gang in near the Hilton Hotel in Bradley Stoke has suffered swelling and pain to his ear.

Police say the man was attacked after he was approached by six youths who became abusive as he walked from The Bradley Stoke pub to the hotel.

The attack took place on Wednesday, 15 April 2009 at around 11pm but has only come to light now following a police witness appeal.

The attacker is described at an 18-year-old white male, 6ft 1in tall, stocky build with short, cropped, brown, gelled hair.

Officers say he was wearing a knitted blue and white jumper and jeans.