Abbeymead

Abbeymead is a modern, affluent and popular suburb of the city of Gloucester in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It lies approximately 3 miles south-east of the city centre, and is bounded by the suburbs of Abbeydale to the west and south west, Coney Hill to the north west, Barnwood and Hucclecote to the north and north east, and the M5 motorway to the east. The first houses to be built as part of the Abbeymead development were begun in the late 1980s with the construction of its main artery, Abbeymead Avenue. Smaller, piecemeal developments have continued to be added turning Abbeymead into one of the more populous suburbs of the city.

For administrative purposes the suburb is covered by three electoral wards. The majority of residents live in the Abbey ward, the north eastern area is in the Hucclecote ward, and the northern area is in the Barnwood ward. At the last local election in 2004 the councillors currently representing Abbeymead were elected as follows:

*Abbey ward: Robert Gardiner (Conservative)
*Barnwood ward: Elizabeth Noakes (Conservative)
*Hucclecote ward: Susan Blakeley (Liberal Democrat)fn|1

It has a large and affluent population, and the area is served by good amenities. There is one leading brand tesco convenience store, a public house, and a number of small outlets including a take-away and an Indian restaurant. Abbeymead Primary School is the only school and serves the 4 to 11 age group. It has a very good reputation.

Among its many open spaces is a local nature reserve at Hucclecote Meadows, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Due to restrictions on land it is unlikely that Abbeymead will see a great deal of further expansion. Large-scale development is likely to appear on the other side of the M5 motorway, in an area to be linked by the controversial opening of a bridge.

Notes

*fnb|1 [http://www.gloucester.gov.uk/libraries/templates/page.asp?FolderID=409 Gloucester City Council]

External links

* [http://www.abbeymead.ik.org/ Abbeymead Primary School]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/04/school_tables/primary_schools/html/916.stm Gloucestershire Primary Schools League Table] ("BBC")
* [http://www.abbeymeadrovers.org.uk/ Abbeymead Rovers FC]