Getting a Sound Night's Sleep,
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Parish councillors know that an uninterrupted night’s sleep is one of the top three priorities for Barston & Eastcote residents. The idea that Solihull’s planners — rather than the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — can determine the volume of night flights is, in our view, completely unacceptable. Town planners are not experts in the human impact of night-time noise, especially on health and wellbeing.
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The Parish Council was deeply frustrated by the way the increase in night flights was pushed through in January 2025, despite widespread local objections. Councillors are determined that this must not happen again when the issue comes up for review in 2027.
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To prepare for that review, in July the Council established the Barston Airport Noise Action Group (BANAG). This group has the resources and authority to commission independent noise monitoring. The first survey was carried out between mid-June and mid-July 2025, and the results will be compared with data from the same periods in 2018 and 2024.
Councillors believe that robust evidence on noise and its impact on health will be the strongest weapon in securing change in 2027.
Doing nothing is not an option, and we are confident residents will support and applaud this proactive response.
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Cllr. Jeremy Emmett 19th September 2025
Making Barston's Roads Safer
Hello everyone,
I’m delighted to have recently joined the Parish Council, and I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for co-opting me. My focus will be on improving road safety for all users — walkers, cyclists, horse riders, farm vehicles, and drivers.
Thanks to Guy Atkinson’s hard work, 40mph has been reduced to 30mph speed limit along Barston Lane and the approach to Eastcote Crossroads. This is a big step forward for safety.
But challenges remain. Traffic has increased in recent years, especially with more delivery vans post-COVID, and Barston Lane has become a commuter route for HS2 staff. As a result, our priorities are:
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Enforcing the 30mph limit
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Calming traffic in high-risk areas with sympathetic signage that fits the rural character of our village
I’ll also be working with Community Speedwatch and learning from nearby villages to see what has worked for them.
Another key issue is farm traffic. Farming is part of our community, and large vehicles must use our roads. We need to make sure other road users are aware and prepared for this.
To help, I’m setting up a volunteer group to:
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Keep hedges trimmed so road signs are visible
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Take part in police speed checks
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Share road safety updates in Parish News
If you’d like to join in, please get in touch or have a chat with me — your support would make a real difference.
Together, we can make Barston’s roads safer for everyone.
Cllr. Martin Cook 10th September 2025
