Speed limit could be increased

City council traffic managers are taking the unusual step of increasing an existing speed limit on one of Gloucester's roads.

They plan to increase the speed limit on the Gloucester Southwest Bypass, Secunda Way, from 30mph to 40mph.

City Council officers carried out speed surveys which showed that the majority of drivers currently using the road treated it as a main 40mph road.

A final decision on the new speed limit will be made next week.

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Special schools await decision

A decision on the futures of two special needs schools in the county will be announced on Monday.

Gloucestershire County Council wants to replace Oakdene and Dean Hall Schools in the Forest of Dean with a new school.

The cost of the new facility has been put at £3.3m. It would open in September 2005 on the Dean Hall site near Coleford.

The ruling will be announced by Dr Hilary Nicolle, the adjudicator appointed by the government.

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Nature reserve goes up in smoke

Almost 40 acres of land designated as a nature reserve, have been severely damaged by fire.

The land on Leckhampton Hill near Cheltenham is a site of special scientific interest because of its diverse wildlife.

The site is also part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Nearly a quarter of its 170 acres went up in flames.

Firefighters spent several hours dampening down the area. The cause is not known.

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Fish die in pollution incident

Hundreds of fish have died after the third pollution incident at a Gloucestershire brook inside a year.

The Environment Agency is investigating after an eight kilometre stretch of Hatherly Brook, between Staverton and Twigworth was contaminated.

Two similar incidents have already been reported - but not in time to identify the chemical responsible.

Similar incidents in the past have been traced to people disposing of oil or chemicals down surface water drains.