Summary

  • Live updates for Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, 12 April 2016

  1. Bristol parkrun row: Dr Hilary Jones' reactionpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    We'll leave you with this reaction to the hot topic of the day from TV doctor Hilary Jones.

    BBC Local will be back tomorrow at 7am.

  2. Bristol parkrun row: You have your saypublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Parkrun

    More of your comments you've sent to the BBC about whether a parish council should charge parkrun for using its parks.

    Sevenstargreen says if this charge goes ahead the PC will have to employ someone to take the money & give out tickets, provide a First Aid tent, employ marshals, rope off areas into running paths & be responsible for Health & safety.

    Ganouche believes the reasoning given by the parish council is ridiculous. "I don't walk the streets at night am I due a rebate because I am not using the lighting provided? Just another good example of council money-grabbing opportunism.  

    dav3yb0y writes: "Parkrun changed my life. When I started 18 months ago I was 15 stone & very unfit. It took me 28 mins to run 5k & I stopped a few times. Fast forward to now & I'm 12 stone and run 5k in 20 mins."

  3. BBC reporter checks out the latest tech at Bristol VR showpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Technology experts are in Bristol today for the UK's largest virtual reality event where the number of people working in the city within the industry has doubled in the last year.

    BBC Points West's Dave Harvey was among the delegates to test some of the latest tech.

  4. Longwell Green anti-social behaviour 'now risking lives'published at 13:51 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    What started as shouting and abusive behaviour near the Aspects Centre in Longwell Green has now become "reckless" and is putting lives in danger, police say.

    Ch Insp Mark Evans said while those involved could be arrested they had to be caught in the act.

    Ring Road near Bristol

    "We have dispersal orders in place - we can move them out the area and if they return we have the power of arrest," he said.

    "We're trying to target the seven or eight who are leading the group... to get them arrested for substantive offences we can put them through the judicial system."

  5. Tears after Bristol woman hands over £13k cheque to savings scam victimpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    An 83-year-old woman, who was conned out of £30,000, has broken down in tears as a fundraiser from Bristol handed over a cheque for £13,000.

    Eileen Gould, from Somerset, was tricked into handing over her savings to conmen after being told her bank was being investigated by the fraud squad.

    Lyndsey Brennan did not know Ms Gould, but was so "heartbroken" by her plight she set up a Go Fund Me website appeal.

  6. Bristol parkrun row: More of your commentspublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Parkrun

    A council could become the first in the UK to charge runners to use one of its parks for a weekend fun run.

    Here are some of your comments.

    RichiB calls the proposal "uttterly disgusting".

    "I would argue parkrun has done more to improve the nations health and fitness than all the Olympic legacy and the TDF did, and at no cost to the taxpayer.I thought councils were being empowered to improve health not wreck it."

    Keeleboy asks: "Surely parkrun is a much cheaper and more cost effective option than running a leisure centre? A very short term move from the council and one they will regret."

    Bauer suggests the parish council can take it out of their council tax. "Try providing a service for what you are already being paid for rather than charging people twice."

    And Cattswhisker said: "They've seen an opportunity and are trying their luck. Stand firm and they'll move onto someone else. 50p to walk your dog and 30p for a go on the swings. Pathetic."

  7. Bristol parkrun row: Runners 'monopolise the park paths and car park'published at 12:01 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Sign

    Ahead of a meeting this evening, external Stoke Gifford Parish Council has been setting out its case as to why parkrun should pay its way.

    It says:

    • Parkrun are an organised group with paid directors and staff and attract over 300 runners using the park & facilities each week
    • They monopolise the park paths and car park between 0830 & 1030 each Saturday and Sunday
    • They use the parks toilets and washing facilities
    • Parkrun are an organised group and like any other group using the facilities should contribute towards the maintenance
    • The Parish Council cannot & will not stop people from using the parks for exercise & running but when it comes to an organisation with paid directors, fund raisers and sponsors it would be unfair to expect the residents to pay 
  8. Bristol parkrun row: 'Disappointed' at being asked to pay to jogpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    A council near Bristol wants to charge joggers to run in parkrun events.

    Parkrun ambassador Geoff Keogh said he had been trying to explain the ethos of the event to Stoke Gifford Parish Council.

    "We've always committed to be free," he said.

  9. Bus delays after earlier accident in Bristolpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

  10. Bristol parkrun row: Would you pay to run in a council-owned park?published at 10:49 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Parkrun banner

    As Stoke Gifford Parish Council considers charging a running group for using a park you've been telling us what you think on our Facebook, external page.

    Helen Durnford writes: "Yes completely wrong to have to pay for parkrun. It is an amazing event, totally inclusive and friendly."

    Ellena Farrow calls it a "disgraceful". She added: "It's helped so many people get into exercise and get fit. Council will do anything for money".

    Carolyn Evans agrees calling the proposal "senseless". "They keep banging on about people doing more exercise and now they want to put an obstacle in the way."

    Keith Garland says it depends on how big the group of runners is and if they annoy or put off other people from using the park.

    But Paul Campbell agrees with the idea adding "it's no different to having to pay to park outside my own house".

  11. Anthony Watson: Bath full-back 'could be ruled out of Australia tour'published at 10:17 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Anthony WatsonImage source, Rex Features

    Bath Rugby's Anthony Watson could be ruled out of England's summer tour to Australia tonight, depending on the outcome of his disciplinary hearing in Bristol

    The 22-year-old is facing a ban for his sending off against Saracens, if found guilty he could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks. 

    Watson also faces a second charge of using "offensive, inappropriate and unprofessional" language, which could increase the ban. England tour Australia in June. 

  12. Children 'threw manhole covers' off bridge onto Bristol ring roadpublished at 09:40 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Ring road bridgeImage source, Google

    Children throwing concrete blocks and manhole covers from a Bristol ring road bridge could have "fatal consequences" for drivers.

    The youths were caught at the weekend in Longwell Green during a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

    Ch Insp Mark Evans told the Bristol Post, external: “This is highly-dangerous and reckless behaviour and we’re taking action to ensure these types of incidents do not re-occur in the future."

  13. Little Stoke parkrun could be first to charge runnerspublished at 09:01 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    A cash-strapped council could become the first in the UK to charge runners to enter a weekend fun run.

    Hundreds gather each week in Little Stoke to take part in the free timed run, known as parkrun. 

    Stoke Gifford Parish Council is meeting later to decide whether to charge the organisers to help pay for the park's upkeep.

    But organisers fear this could put a stop to the run.

  14. Virtual crime scenes help train forensic scientistspublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    VR crime scene

    Technology experts from all over the world will be in Bristol today for one of the UK's largest virtual reality events. 

    The VR World Congress will be showcasing the latest in software, including kit used by the University of the West of England to train forensic scientists.

    The computer programme mimics actual crime scenes - adding to the experience the students get outside the lab.

  15. Speed dating for bereaved bunnies at Staple Hill sanctuarypublished at 07:43 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

     A "bed and breakfast" for rabbits and guinea pigs in Bristol is running speed dating sessions.

    Its volunteers want to ensure that their rabbits find true love, because apparently this helps them live longer.

  16. Good morning - sound the fog horn!published at 07:00 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Good morning, and welcome to Local Live.

    It's a bit of a foggy scene in Bristol this morning so take your time on the way into work.

    We'll have the latest news and information for Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare.

    Foggy scene at Golden Hill in Bristol
    Foggy scene on the A38 at Filton