Bradley Stoke has once again been overlooked by BT for super-fast broadband.

Internet speeds in the town are dramatically slower than the national average because of the two exchanges are too far away.

But BT are rolling out a technology called fibre to the cabinet which could solve many problems here.

The telecoms giant, though, has rubbed salt into the wounds of Bradley Stoke residents looking for faster net speeds.

They have announced three Bristol exchanges – Bristol North, Bristol West and Downend – will all be upgraded.

The Bradley Stoke Examiner has also been campaigning for Virgin Media to complete the roll out of its cable service to more than 50 roads here than cannot get it.

A leaflet campaign is currently under way but if you want to lobby Virgin e-mail cablemystreet@virginmedia.co.uk – remember to include your full postal address.

Objections to a proposed park and ride near Bristol Parkway station have already begun to trickle in.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to build the facility on Hunts Ground Road in Stoke Gifford.

The development would provide 200 parking spaces just a few minutes walk from the 1,100 spaces in the railway station car park.

Residents say the facility would increase traffic on nearby roads and lead to more car crime.

Several also point to disruption from trees being felled and the impact on wildlife in the area.

One added: “You are causing problems not for people leaving the area at 4pm or 5pm but for the local residents who are trying to return to their homes at these times.”

The deadline for the public to have their say on the scheme is 13 July 2009.

→ On the web: How to comment on planning applications

Thieves have been stealing cars in Bradley Stoke by taking the keys during break-ins, police have warned.

During the past months officers say there have been a dozen such incidents across South Gloucestershire.

They pinpointed the hotspot areas as Bradley Stoke, Filton, Frampton Cotterell, Stoke Gifford and Yate.

The thieves are getting hold of keys by reaching through the letterbox or through insecure doors and windows.

This is not the first spate of this sort of incident here – we reported more than a year ago about incidents in the Bailey’s Court area.

Inspector David Gill said: “How much are your keys worth? The answer is of course that they are worth as much as your car and the valuables in your home.

“The key to deterring these burglars is to make sure your keys are kept out of sight and never left in the lock. If you have a valuable car I would recommend parking it in a secure garage.”

Missing Bradley Stoke schoolgirl Alyx Leighton has been found, The Bradley Stoke Examiner understands.

The 15-year-old had gone missing with her neighbour Jack Saxton, 22, more than a week ago.

At first it was believed the pair had gone to Scotland after travel plans were found on Alyx’s computer.

But Avon and Somerset police later said the pair had gone to Cornwall.

Bradley Stoke’s Town Clerk, David Chandler, is to step down from his role after some 17 years of service.

Mr Chandler, who will retire at the end of the year, joined the town council when it was formed in 1992.

The parish council was formed and quickly transformed into a town council which allowed the election of a mayor.

A job advert for a new town clerk is likely to be distributed in the coming months.

Councillors agreed the job description, which calls for applicants with “leadership and administrative skills”, at a recent meeting.

A Sure Start centre for toddlers at Bowsland Green Primary School is likely to be given the go-ahead following a report by council planners.

South Gloucestershire Council applied for permission for the revamp which would also include a bigger school hall.

Council bosses say the current hall is “undersized for the population of children catered for”.

It would provide space for school meals, sports activities and plays.

The school says once the new hall is open the current one would be fitted out for the new Sure Start centre.

A planning report says no objections were received by either residents or the town council.

A recommendation to approve the scheme was submitted by planners.

Central government has committed to providing a Sure Start centre – to help with “early years provision” – in every community by 2010.

The centre would also provide health services for children, advice for parents and links to local training opportunities.

The development would also resolve a long-running parking issue at the school which currently does not have enough spaces for staff.

Extra spaces would be created by the revamp should it be okayed by councillors.

• Bowsland Green Primary School
• More on Sure Start announcement
• New Sure Start centres for South Gloucestershire

A manhunt has been launched after a father from Bradley Stoke vanished with his 15-year-old neighbour.

Jack Saxton, 22, and Alyx Leighton, 15, disappeared from the town last Friday.

Police believe the pair may have travelled to Falmouth contradicting earlier reports that they had gone to Scotland.

Alyx has shoulder length, straight, dyed dark hair with two blonde streaks down the sides. She also has a pierced tongue and distinctive large green/brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing brown Ugg boots, a black long sleeved top, black leggings, a black belt and a beige cardi.

Alyx is of medium build and was also wearing large silver glittery hoop earrings.

Mr Saxton has two sons and has lived with his partner for the past five years.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We are concerned about this girl’s disappearance because she is underage.”

(Updated to include photo and description)

→ On the web:
• Evening Post: Hunt for Bristol man on run with schoolgirl
• The Sun: Dad aged 22 runs off with schoolgirl, 15