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15 Jul 02Services Disrupted In Poole
A national one day strike will disrupt Local Authority services across the UK on Wednesday 17 July.
The dispute over the level of pay rise for Local Authority workers is currently being negotiated at a national level by National Employers Organisation and Trade Unions. An offer of a 3% increase has been rejected and further negotiations have failed to reach an agreement. As a result, a national one day strike has been called and reduced services will be operating in Councils across the UK.
In Poole reduced services include the closure of Poole Bridge to road traffic as bridge lifts will not be maintained. Under current legislation marine traffic has priority over road traffic. In order to meet the restrictions, the bridge will be shut all day on Wednesday 17 July in the 'up' position and will re-open at midnight.
Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "The closure of the bridge will be extremely disruptive but is unavoidable due to current legislation which gives priority to marine traffic. However the Council agreed in June to seek a change to the bye-law governing the bridge and work on this is underway. Whilst the pay dispute is a national one, Poole values its employees and wants to treat them fairly and remain a good employer. Locally employees do a tremendous job providing services for local people and whilst some Union Members in Poole will support the national call for action, they have also taken into account the need to maintain vital services and the welfare of our most vulnerable people. We have written to National Employers and Trade Union representatives encouraging national dialogue to resolve this dispute. We hope they can reach agreement and resolve this matter nationally."
John McBride, Chief Executive, said: "Although services will be disrupted we have worked with the Unions to make sure that vital areas are still covered. As a result our most vulnerable people will still receive the support needed. In the meantime I would ask residents to bear with us during as there will be delays in our normal services."
Services disrupted in Poole
Poole Bridge will be closed to road traffic for 24 hours on Wednesday 17 July on from 00.01 until 23.59 (midnight). Drivers are advised to use alternative routes via Hamworthy and Holes Bay.
Notices for the closure have been sent to emergency services, bus companies and haulage firms and Poole Harbour Commissioners, Brittany Ferries, and Condor Ferries have also been advised.
Wilts & Dorset will be issuing guidance later today on the services they will be providing.
Advance warning signs are being erected at approaches to the bridge
Temporary diversion signs will be in place from midnight on Tuesday 16 July, giving advice at Hunger Hill that Poole Bridge is closed and traffic should follow existing yellow symbol signs around Holes Bay Road / Upton By Pass / Blandford Road. Diversion notices will also be in place in the reverse direction.
A ferry service for foot passengers will be provided by Greenslades from the ferryman’s steps to the ship masters steps from 6am - 11pm costing 50p per crossing during this time.
Winchelsea School, Courthill First School and Alderney Middle School will be closed. Parents have been advised by the schools.
Refuse and recycling collections will be suspended for the day and the Nuffield Civic domestic waste site will remain closed. Residents who miss their refuse collection will have their rubbish collected the following week on Wednesday 24 July. Recycling collections missed will not take place until the next fortnightly scheduled collection, Wednesday 31 July. The Council’s 73 recycling sites will remain open and a full list of locations is available on the website boroughofpoole.com
All Day Centres will be closed apart from Poole Day Centre which will be providing essential care for those assessed as the most vulnerable people. Alternative arrangements have been made for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people who normally attend Day Centres in Poole.
Leisure Services, Northmead House will be closed
All Libraries will be closed.
Peacock Tea Rooms, Upton House will be closed.
Meetings have been cancelled. Broadstone and Creekmoor Area Committee scheduled for 17 July has been postponed and will now take place on 7 August, Broadstone Library at 7.30pm.
Disruption to post sent or received by the Borough of Poole is also expected on the day.
Members of the public are advised that normal services may be disrupted during the strike and could face delays.
Contact Michelle Holland 01202 633029
Michelle Holland
Directgov