Olympic Torch tickets up for grabs: People who want to get involved in the celebrations to mark the arrival of the Olympic flame in Bristol can now register for tickets. 2012 free tickets are available but they’ll be allocated using a ballot system. You need to register with Bristol City Council to be in with a chance of getting to the special event being put on by the London Olympic Committee on the night of 22nd May at the Amphitheatre in the city centre. More from Jack FM…
Force helicopter base to remain at airfield near Bristol: Filton airfield near Bristol is to be a regional base for the new National Police Air Service (NPAS) for England and Wales, it has been confirmed. The NPAS, which will see police forces sharing helicopters, is expected to become operational later this year. More from BBC News…
South Gloucestershire Council turns off A-road lights: South Gloucestershire Council is to expand its part night lighting scheme to A roads in the district to save money. The switch off will save the council £31,500 a year but will initially cost £20,360 to turn off the lights. From the start of May, lights will be turned off between midnight and 5am along sections of the A38, A432, A420 and A431. Junctions and their approaches will continue to be lit overnight. More from BBC News…
Extra rail services needed from the South Wales to England, says Welsh transport body: New cross-border rail services from Wales to Bristol and Worcester should be introduced as part of the next Great Western franchise due to begin next year, according to a Welsh transport consortium. Sewta – the South East Wales Transport Alliance – is also arguing for a daily train in each direction between Abergavenny and London Paddington. And if the Valleys Lines are electrified, a matter awaiting a decision from Westminster, Sewta says direct trains should be run to London from the Valleys. More from WalesOnline…
Church is told to silence bell: A church clock that has been chiming for a century has been silenced – after new neighbours complained that the noise was keeping them awake at night. A bell in the clock at All Saints Church, in Wrington, marks the passing of each quarter of an hour. It was installed in the 15th century church 100 years ago. More from Bristol Evening Post…
News in brief
Bristol gets into street party spirit: The number of street parties registered in Bristol has already passed the number that took place for last year’s Royal Wedding. So far around 70 community street parties have registered for a street closure, in addition to the major organised events. Last year Bristol held around 60 street parties throughout the city for the Royal Wedding - one of the highest for any city across the country excluding London.
