The residents of Hinton Charterhouse received some good news recently after hearing that the road running through the village is to be completely resurfaced.
Cllr Neil Butters has been working with the local Parish Council, and campaigning on this issue for over a year.
He added:
"Last year I met some visiting cyclists who were also complaining about the road surface and said it was the worst they had encountered on their travels.There really is an amazing contrast in road surface quality once you get to the Somerset border. Travelling on the B3110 from Hinton Charterhouse towards Norton St Philip is like going from Mexico into the U.S.!"
The road is due to be resurfaced towards the end of September.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Neil secures £8,000 for Wellow
A new community bus service is now up and running in Wellow, with help and support from local Councillor Neil Butters.
Neil managed to secure £8,000 from Bath and North East Somerset Council which has contributed towards a bus service for local residents that runs all day.
Neil said:
"Sadly, over time small villages have become more isolated due to the closure of pubs, post offices and other amenities. Thanks now though to the dedication of a hard working team in Wellow, a new community bus service has bucked the trend and been launched for local residents."
Neil managed to secure £8,000 from Bath and North East Somerset Council which has contributed towards a bus service for local residents that runs all day.
Neil said:
"Sadly, over time small villages have become more isolated due to the closure of pubs, post offices and other amenities. Thanks now though to the dedication of a hard working team in Wellow, a new community bus service has bucked the trend and been launched for local residents."
Neil takes it to... the Rail Magazine
The national RAIL magazine featured a local name recently, with a special article about B&NES Lib Dem Councillor Neil Butters.
Neil, who covers the Bathavon South area (villages including South Stoke, Hinton Charterhouse and Shoscombe), has a day job as the Secretary of the Railway Heritage Committee, a national statutory body.
RAIL is one of Britain's leading railway magazines. The only one to be published fortnightly, a regular feature is entitled 'A day in the life of'...'. The mid-July edition focused on Neil's work, a journalist coming down to Bristol from Peterborough to follow him around for several hours to find out what a day in life of Neil involves.
Neil, who covers the Bathavon South area (villages including South Stoke, Hinton Charterhouse and Shoscombe), has a day job as the Secretary of the Railway Heritage Committee, a national statutory body.
RAIL is one of Britain's leading railway magazines. The only one to be published fortnightly, a regular feature is entitled 'A day in the life of'...'. The mid-July edition focused on Neil's work, a journalist coming down to Bristol from Peterborough to follow him around for several hours to find out what a day in life of Neil involves.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Amy Williams MBE
Tremendous to read that Amy Williams has been recognised in the recent Birthday Honours. Our very own Olympic Gold Medallist recently received the Freedom of the City at a ceremony in Bath - the first woman ever to receive this honour which recognises her outstanding contribution to life in Bath and for her exceptional achievement. Amy trained so hard at the first-class facilities at Bath University, she truly deserves all these accolades. Well done Amy!
Housing targets scrapped
Thank goodness that the new coalition government has thrown out Labour's plans for 2000 houses to be built at South Stoke. There had been no consideration to what local residents thought or the impact on local services and amenities. Hooray for the new government's view that local people and local councils should have the freedom to decide where new housing developments should be built and when they will be needed.
The pressure and campaigning over recent months - including a petition signed by every resident of South Stoke - has been vindicated and democracy has triumphed. Now local people are back in charge of their own communities. The old government had imposed a target of 21K houses to be built by 2026 in B&NES.
The pressure and campaigning over recent months - including a petition signed by every resident of South Stoke - has been vindicated and democracy has triumphed. Now local people are back in charge of their own communities. The old government had imposed a target of 21K houses to be built by 2026 in B&NES.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Wonderful Wellow!
Looking forward to Wonderful Wellow Week which starts on Friday 18th June. First up at 2.00pm is the flower festival in St Julian's Church which continues for an amazing ten days. There will be a host of events including open gardens, history tours, a concert, a treasure hunt and even a visit from one of Bath's Lions. This is a brilliant example of the community spirit that exists in Wellow and all our villages. Well done to Churchwarden Pauline Preddy whose idea it was to bring together a group of people and get this WWW under way.
www.wellowparish.info
www.wellowparish.info
Saturday, 17 April 2010
When Neil met Amy...
Cllr Neil Butters recently met Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Williams in Bath. Here they are with her gold medal.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Park and Ride lights to be turned off
Wellow Futures, a community group in Wellow, and local Lib Dems hosted an evening showing the film the Age of Stupid last week both in Wellow and at Bathampton Village Hall. It was followed by a far ranging discussion about energy efficiency and moving away from the oil economy.
Gail Coleshill, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for North East Somerset, said:
“The film outlines what could happen in the future if people of this generation do not make much more effort to save oil and reduce global warming.
We had an animated discussion about what we could achieve locally and ended with how much more could be done with a bit more Government and Council leadership.”
The group has already chalked up one success. Local resident Jane Rees complained that the lights at the Park and Ride at Odd Down did not need to be on all the time and Cllr Neil Butters (Lib Dem, Bathavon South) promised to find out if they could be altered.
This week he received a reply for the Sustainability Officer at B&NES that the lights would be turned off half an hour after the Park and Ride closed.
Cllr Butters said:
“This is a real achievement for the Council working with local residents to effect energy efficiencies. I am really pleased that we were able to make a real energy saving thanks to the observation of a local resident.”
Gail Coleshill, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for North East Somerset, said:
“The film outlines what could happen in the future if people of this generation do not make much more effort to save oil and reduce global warming.
We had an animated discussion about what we could achieve locally and ended with how much more could be done with a bit more Government and Council leadership.”
The group has already chalked up one success. Local resident Jane Rees complained that the lights at the Park and Ride at Odd Down did not need to be on all the time and Cllr Neil Butters (Lib Dem, Bathavon South) promised to find out if they could be altered.
This week he received a reply for the Sustainability Officer at B&NES that the lights would be turned off half an hour after the Park and Ride closed.
Cllr Butters said:
“This is a real achievement for the Council working with local residents to effect energy efficiencies. I am really pleased that we were able to make a real energy saving thanks to the observation of a local resident.”
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Gail ready for election fight
After 18 months of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has finally called a General Election.
Here in North East Somerset, the Liberal Democrats have re-selected well respected political activist Gail Coleshill to contest the election, which will be fought under brand new parliamentary boundaries.
Here in North East Somerset, the Liberal Democrats have re-selected well respected political activist Gail Coleshill to contest the election, which will be fought under brand new parliamentary boundaries.
Gail, who has worked for ten years on community projects and initiatives in the area, said:
“A lot has changed here since the last General Election. Not just do we have new boundaries, but our Labour MP has become even more unpopular and the Conservatives have selected a candidate who has no track record of doing anything in our area.
I’m 100% ready for the election contest and hope the people of North East Somerset will elect me as their new MP.”
The new constituency, previously known as Wansdyke, will be losing the Bitton, Oldland Common area to the north of Keynsham – which has had a Labour MP for the last 13years.
New additions to the constituency include Batheaston, Bathampton, South Stoke and Freshford (a total area of around 7,000 voters) – which have all been served by the Lib Dem MP Don Foster for the last 18 years.
New additions to the constituency include Batheaston, Bathampton, South Stoke and Freshford (a total area of around 7,000 voters) – which have all been served by the Lib Dem MP Don Foster for the last 18 years.
Today, Gail Coleshill has published her four pledges for election to Parliament:
1. Economy: I’ll work with Vince Cable to help working families by raising the individual tax free allowance to £10,000. We’ll cut out tax loopholes for the rich and reduce income tax by taxing pollution.
2. Environment:
· I will continue to campaign to protect the environment, particularly against plans to build thousands of houses on the greenbelt.
· We do need more low cost housing, so I want to bring empty homes back into use for affordable housing and increase the energy efficiency of all houses to save money and keep homes warmer.
· I’ll work with other Lib Dem MPs to push for planning decisions to be taken away from central government and decided locally.
· I would like to make buses and trains affordable and reliable so that people have a real choice on how to travel. Re-open railway lines and stations such as Bathampton, Saltford and Radstock to Bristol.
· I support the local Lib Dems plans’ to give all young people free bus passes so they have better access to services.
3. Education: I plan to give teachers more time in the classroom by cutting administration. Raise standards in every school with a pupil premium for every child. Reduce and eventually eliminate university tuition fees.
4. Democratic Reform: The expenses scandal in parliament has put people off politics. I want to change this by using local groups to bring democracy closer to the people, to give people the freedom to sack their MP, and introduce a fairer voting system where every vote counts.
2. Environment:
· I will continue to campaign to protect the environment, particularly against plans to build thousands of houses on the greenbelt.
· We do need more low cost housing, so I want to bring empty homes back into use for affordable housing and increase the energy efficiency of all houses to save money and keep homes warmer.
· I’ll work with other Lib Dem MPs to push for planning decisions to be taken away from central government and decided locally.
· I would like to make buses and trains affordable and reliable so that people have a real choice on how to travel. Re-open railway lines and stations such as Bathampton, Saltford and Radstock to Bristol.
· I support the local Lib Dems plans’ to give all young people free bus passes so they have better access to services.
3. Education: I plan to give teachers more time in the classroom by cutting administration. Raise standards in every school with a pupil premium for every child. Reduce and eventually eliminate university tuition fees.
4. Democratic Reform: The expenses scandal in parliament has put people off politics. I want to change this by using local groups to bring democracy closer to the people, to give people the freedom to sack their MP, and introduce a fairer voting system where every vote counts.
Gail believes the contest locally is wide open:
“Our canvass results are looking very good, with Labour finishing in third place. Every week I am meeting new people on the doorstep, and they’re telling me they want a change from the old-style politics and break from the two older parties.
As we get closer to polling day, election fever is sure to heat up in North East Somerset.”
To watch Gail’s General Election Campaign video visit http://www.nes-libdems.org.uk/
Monday, 22 March 2010
Work finally begins
Work has finally began on the Two Tunnels project, thanks to pressure on B&NES Council by Cllr Neil Butters and Project Chair Gitte Dawson.
Attracting £1 million of Lottery funding, the project will connect Midford with the centre of Bath to create a new cycle and walking route between thelocations. The multi-user path will join Bath and Midford by an almost-flat system of tunnels and overland paths following the existing railway line that is currently out of use.
Prospective Lib Dem MP Gail Coleshill commented:
“The Two Tunnels route will benefit businesses, residents and visitors. It will encourage visitors to make more use of what Bath & North East Somerset has to offer.
Overall, this is part of the national Sustrans initiative which links up hundreds of walking and cycling routes around the country.”
Prospective Lib Dem MP Gail Coleshill commented:
“The Two Tunnels route will benefit businesses, residents and visitors. It will encourage visitors to make more use of what Bath & North East Somerset has to offer.
Overall, this is part of the national Sustrans initiative which links up hundreds of walking and cycling routes around the country.”
Wellow traffic calming
After five years of effort by the Parish Council, and with the help of Cllr Neil Butters, Wellow is at last getting its promised traffic calming scheme - at a cost of £47,000 provided by the developers of the Business Park at Peasedown. This will be implemented by end-June.
Thanks to Wellow Parish Councillor Mark Watson, here is an indicative sketch of the proposed new scheme:
Thanks to Wellow Parish Councillor Mark Watson, here is an indicative sketch of the proposed new scheme:
New footway for Midford
Also at long last, work is due to take place this summer on constructing a footpath
into the centre of Midford across the road from Clearbrook Farm. Neil is supporting the local parish councils in their bid to see the footpath upgraded and continued on
along the same side of the road.
into the centre of Midford across the road from Clearbrook Farm. Neil is supporting the local parish councils in their bid to see the footpath upgraded and continued on
along the same side of the road.
Community Bus for Wellow area
Neil has been pressing B&NES Council to provide a modest grant to support some form of local bus service for the Wellow area. Despite the very difficult financial climate, £8,000 pa has been freed up. This will now go towards the excellent local Community Bus proposal.
Brassknocker floods
Local Councillor Neil Butters has been working with B&NES to tackle the flooding problems on Brassknocker Hill.
The excess flooding has been caused by:
- an old culvert that was discharging over the road, rather than through a
gully or roadside channel.
- an existing concrete channel that was not able to contain the water and was getting blocked by debris.
- another culvert that was discharging over the top of a gully rather than through an inlet.
Neil said:
“It’s always a problem, particularly in rural areas, when roads flood. Hopefully, Council officers can sort it out as soon as possible, so no further inconvenience is caused to drivers using this route.”
New signs are B&NES First!
Neil has worked with B&NES and the Department for Transport to erect new 'No Lorries' signs for
Freshford, which are the first of their kind in the authority.
Lorries have been getting stuck often because their SatNav systems have directed them down unsuitable lanes.
Neil said: “I am pleased to have been able to arrange for these new signs for Freshford.
I do hope they help in future.”
Freshford, which are the first of their kind in the authority.
Lorries have been getting stuck often because their SatNav systems have directed them down unsuitable lanes.
Neil said: “I am pleased to have been able to arrange for these new signs for Freshford.
I do hope they help in future.”
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Fears arise over future of Community Transport
Fears have arisen over the future of community transport in Bath and North East Somerset, following the news that the Council’s designated Community Transport Officer role is being scrapped.
For several years, B&NES has employed an officer to work directly work with community transport groups in Keynsham, Radstock, Bath and elsewhere to liaise on behalf of the authority and represent the views of the groups within the Transport Department.
Now, after years of successful work, Tory-run B&NES Council has decided to pull the plug on the role and leave many of the voluntary groups without this vital support.
Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill, who is standing at the next General Election has her party’s choice in North East Somerset, said:
“I was very worried to hear that the Council has decided to scrap this role. Every year, hundreds of volunteers work hard to provide a transport service to the elderly, the disabled, and anyone else who finds it difficult to use Public Transport.
In North East Somerset, groups such as the Norton-Radstock Ring & Ride, Keynsham Dial-a-Ride, Bath Community Transport and the Swan Advice Network play a vital role in offering a life-line to residents.
Many people use these services to do their weekly shop, to visit friends and get to important medical appointments.”
Last year, 14,000 passengers used the Ring and Ride service in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. B&NES currently gives £94,000 a year to support the service, but with severe government cuts on the way this funding could be under threat. Gail added:
“The current government has got its priorities wrong when it comes to using public finances to improve public and community transport. Instead of investing £millions on building bus lanes that no one wants, money should be going towards extending the community transport schemes in rural areas.
Also, if the Tories win the next election, they are telling us to expect big cuts to public services. I wonder if the Tory Candidate for North East Somerset will distance himself from his party’s actions locally and their plans nationally?
I believe that in rural areas such as North East Somerset we can’t under estimate the importance of community transport and I call on the Council to reinstate the Community Transport Officer role before it’s too late.”
For several years, B&NES has employed an officer to work directly work with community transport groups in Keynsham, Radstock, Bath and elsewhere to liaise on behalf of the authority and represent the views of the groups within the Transport Department.
Now, after years of successful work, Tory-run B&NES Council has decided to pull the plug on the role and leave many of the voluntary groups without this vital support.
Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill, who is standing at the next General Election has her party’s choice in North East Somerset, said:
“I was very worried to hear that the Council has decided to scrap this role. Every year, hundreds of volunteers work hard to provide a transport service to the elderly, the disabled, and anyone else who finds it difficult to use Public Transport.
In North East Somerset, groups such as the Norton-Radstock Ring & Ride, Keynsham Dial-a-Ride, Bath Community Transport and the Swan Advice Network play a vital role in offering a life-line to residents.
Many people use these services to do their weekly shop, to visit friends and get to important medical appointments.”
Last year, 14,000 passengers used the Ring and Ride service in Radstock and Midsomer Norton. B&NES currently gives £94,000 a year to support the service, but with severe government cuts on the way this funding could be under threat. Gail added:
“The current government has got its priorities wrong when it comes to using public finances to improve public and community transport. Instead of investing £millions on building bus lanes that no one wants, money should be going towards extending the community transport schemes in rural areas.
Also, if the Tories win the next election, they are telling us to expect big cuts to public services. I wonder if the Tory Candidate for North East Somerset will distance himself from his party’s actions locally and their plans nationally?
I believe that in rural areas such as North East Somerset we can’t under estimate the importance of community transport and I call on the Council to reinstate the Community Transport Officer role before it’s too late.”
Monday, 8 March 2010
Work finally begins on the Bath Two Tunnels route -
Four years since its inception, the Bath Two Tunnels scheme – which will open up the Combe Down and Devonshire Tunnels as part of a walking and cycling route from Midford into Bath - finally starts construction this Monday. Contractors will begin work to excavate and reopen the Devonshire Tunnel’s northern portal and create links on both sides.
Former councilor, Gitte Dawson, who has been chairing the Two Tunnels Steering Group which brings Council, Sustrans and the Two Tunnels Group together in implementing this scheme, said
“I am excited that we are finally putting the first spade in the ground! Lots of people have done a great deal of campaigning, fundraising, planning and publicising to get to this point. I look forward to cycling through the tunnels myself next year."
Cllr Roger Symonds (LibDem Combe Down ward) said,
"This is a red letter day for those who mourn the passing of the old railway line. It marks the start of a revival of cycling in Bath. There must be more improvements to follow Two Tunnels if Bath is to become a "cycling city".
Cllr Neil Butters (LibDem Bathavon South) said,
“I would like to congratulate Sustrans and the Two Tunnels Group on a fantastic achievement. This project will take a significant slice of traffic off the roads, enabling people from Wellow and beyond to commute into Bath by bike and giving people in Bath ready access to the countryside.”
The Two Tunnels scheme is a £1.9million route that will turn a four-mile stretch of disused railway line into a walking and cycling path linking Bath and Midford. The scheme will renovate the disused Tucking Mill viaduct and open up the two long tunnels, of which one (Combe Down) is over a mile long, connecting the town and countryside for everyday journeys by foot and bike. With overwhelming support from people in and around Bath, the virtually flat route along the old Somerset and Dorset Railway Line will bring together the communities of Bath, Midford and all the places in between. Walkers and cyclists will experience two illuminated tunnels and a magnificent viaduct along the route that provides an inspiring yet practical link between town and country, with its unique blend of industrial heritage, wildlife and geology. The route will also link to the successful Colliers Way in the South and the Bath-Bristol cycleway in the West and create a great round-trip cycle opportunity between Bath and Midford, including the path along the Kennet & Avon Canal. On the 6th March it is the 44th anniversary of the closure of the line.
The partners in this scheme are the community-led ‘Two Tunnels Group’, Bristol based charity Sustrans, and Bath & North East Somerset Council, with the route's grand opening expected by the end of 2011. The Two Tunnels Greenway is one of 79 exciting Sustrans Connect2 schemes across the UK, using a total of £50m of lottery funding, of which this scheme will receive £1m. The remainder of the funding will be coming from BathNES Council and from local fundraising.
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk
Former councilor, Gitte Dawson, who has been chairing the Two Tunnels Steering Group which brings Council, Sustrans and the Two Tunnels Group together in implementing this scheme, said
“I am excited that we are finally putting the first spade in the ground! Lots of people have done a great deal of campaigning, fundraising, planning and publicising to get to this point. I look forward to cycling through the tunnels myself next year."
Cllr Roger Symonds (LibDem Combe Down ward) said,
"This is a red letter day for those who mourn the passing of the old railway line. It marks the start of a revival of cycling in Bath. There must be more improvements to follow Two Tunnels if Bath is to become a "cycling city".
Cllr Neil Butters (LibDem Bathavon South) said,
“I would like to congratulate Sustrans and the Two Tunnels Group on a fantastic achievement. This project will take a significant slice of traffic off the roads, enabling people from Wellow and beyond to commute into Bath by bike and giving people in Bath ready access to the countryside.”
The Two Tunnels scheme is a £1.9million route that will turn a four-mile stretch of disused railway line into a walking and cycling path linking Bath and Midford. The scheme will renovate the disused Tucking Mill viaduct and open up the two long tunnels, of which one (Combe Down) is over a mile long, connecting the town and countryside for everyday journeys by foot and bike. With overwhelming support from people in and around Bath, the virtually flat route along the old Somerset and Dorset Railway Line will bring together the communities of Bath, Midford and all the places in between. Walkers and cyclists will experience two illuminated tunnels and a magnificent viaduct along the route that provides an inspiring yet practical link between town and country, with its unique blend of industrial heritage, wildlife and geology. The route will also link to the successful Colliers Way in the South and the Bath-Bristol cycleway in the West and create a great round-trip cycle opportunity between Bath and Midford, including the path along the Kennet & Avon Canal. On the 6th March it is the 44th anniversary of the closure of the line.
The partners in this scheme are the community-led ‘Two Tunnels Group’, Bristol based charity Sustrans, and Bath & North East Somerset Council, with the route's grand opening expected by the end of 2011. The Two Tunnels Greenway is one of 79 exciting Sustrans Connect2 schemes across the UK, using a total of £50m of lottery funding, of which this scheme will receive £1m. The remainder of the funding will be coming from BathNES Council and from local fundraising.
Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Innovative transport designs
Local Lib Dems Gail Coleshill, Cllr Neil Butters and Tim Bray went on a fact finding visit to Stourbridge where there is a very successful light rail link between the station and the town.
The light rail car, or Parry’s People Mover, runs along rails on a 2 litre LPG diesel engine with a flywheel attachment to provide kinetic energy which saves fuel and carbon emissions.
Gail Coleshill was impressed by the possibilities of using such a low energy solution in Bath and North East Somerset.
She said “I can see the possibilities in a number of situations where the track beds of old railways still exist. It could be used in Bath along the old track instead of buses which use the same congested road space as cars. There are also the two tunnels track, the Radstock to Frome track, and maybe a branch line to Swindon.
Parry’s People Mover was first developed for use in the developing world but has been designed in Stourbridge to specifications from Network Rail.
The car which carries 60 people makes journeys every ten minutes along a disused branch line but the design of its body means that it can be extended to travel along tracks in or beside the road.
Gail was particularly impressed by its affordability. She added:
“LPG fuel makes it really cheap to run and the fuel is carried in a large tank within the vehicle. The car is light weight and the flywheel which stores up energy is what makes this such an innovative solution. I believe this could be a useful way to make a link between Bristol and Radstock along the old railway track which still exists most of the way."
Local resident and rail enthusiast Tim Bray thought there were practical applications within the Radstock area.
“I know there are public transport shortages between Farrington and Midsomer Norton and there is a track bed which is going to be an extension to the Greenway. I think this would be an ideal place to try out a pilot scheme for an ultra light railway.”
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Time Running Out for Two Tunnels Decision
The B&NES Council’s Cabinet member responsible for transport has been accused of putting the Two Tunnels shared path project at risk by delaying a decision on the Council’s support package, including £396,000 in capital funding.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, has written to the Cabinet member responsible for this decision to urge him to approve the funding. Councillor Crossley said:
“This is an amazing project and it is right that the Council should support it. The Liberal Democrats want to see the tunnels brought back to life as a new cycle way into and out of the city.
“The delay in approving the Council package of involvement for the project is putting the whole scheme at risk. It’s time for the dithering to stop.”
The Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel has also urged the Cabinet member to approve the funding. Councillor Roger Symonds (Combe Down) sits on the SSC Panel, commented:
“There have been repeated delays over giving the go ahead to this exciting new project. The blame for this lies firmly with the Council administration which has dithered, delayed and obfuscated and done anything to avoid giving positive support for the scheme.”
Organiser of the King Bladud’s Pigs exhibition (which raised £200,000 towards the Two Tunnels project) and former B&NES Councillor, Gitte Dawson added:
“The Two Tunnels is a wonderful project and I just hope it will finally come off! We've been two years talking to the Council. The Two Tunnels Steering Group, which I chair, has met 16 times since we got our £1m from the Lottery. And still we haven't put one spade in the ground!
“Right now, a £40,000 British Rail Residual Body grant is at risk. The grant will evaporate if we don't manage to at least dig out the buried entrance to the Devonshire Tunnel by 31st March. The lack of approval from the Council is holding everything up!”
Councillor Paul Crossley (Southdown), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, has written to the Cabinet member responsible for this decision to urge him to approve the funding. Councillor Crossley said:
“This is an amazing project and it is right that the Council should support it. The Liberal Democrats want to see the tunnels brought back to life as a new cycle way into and out of the city.
“The delay in approving the Council package of involvement for the project is putting the whole scheme at risk. It’s time for the dithering to stop.”
The Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel has also urged the Cabinet member to approve the funding. Councillor Roger Symonds (Combe Down) sits on the SSC Panel, commented:
“There have been repeated delays over giving the go ahead to this exciting new project. The blame for this lies firmly with the Council administration which has dithered, delayed and obfuscated and done anything to avoid giving positive support for the scheme.”
Organiser of the King Bladud’s Pigs exhibition (which raised £200,000 towards the Two Tunnels project) and former B&NES Councillor, Gitte Dawson added:
“The Two Tunnels is a wonderful project and I just hope it will finally come off! We've been two years talking to the Council. The Two Tunnels Steering Group, which I chair, has met 16 times since we got our £1m from the Lottery. And still we haven't put one spade in the ground!
“Right now, a £40,000 British Rail Residual Body grant is at risk. The grant will evaporate if we don't manage to at least dig out the buried entrance to the Devonshire Tunnel by 31st March. The lack of approval from the Council is holding everything up!”
True cost of bus lane revealed
In the week that Bath and North East Somerset has started further works on the A367 going into Bath, new figures have been obtained which show that the infamous 700-yard bus lane at Odd Down actually cost £72,600 more than was previously quoted.
Last summer Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill and Peasedown Councillor Nathan Hartley hit the national press with the news that Tory-run B&NES Council had spent £916,000 on a bus lane which was only 700yards long.
The news attracted criticism from politicians, residents and national motoring group the RAC.
Now, nine months later it has been revealed that the total cost of the bus lane is in fact £988,600. Prospective Lib Dem MP for North East Somerset Gail Coleshill says this money has been wasted on a bus lane that is rarely used:
“It’s a great shame that £988,600 has been spent on a 700yard stretch of road that has not at all helped ease the congestion going in and out of Bath – which is what those that who proposed it thought it would do.
Right from the beginning I knew this wouldn’t work and have been calling for years for alternative modes of travel to be explored to ease the congestion on the roads.
I would rather this money was spent on reopening some of the Railway Stations in the authority in places like Radstock, Saltford and Bathampton and also providing every single teenager in B&NES with a free bus pass.”
Midsomer Norton resident Mike Jakins wonders if B&NES will ever learn from its mistakes. He said:
“Before this bus lane was built drivers would often get stuck in traffic on the A367 trying to get to the Park and Ride. Now the bus lane has been built, they still get stuck in traffic trying to get to the Park and Ride. Nothing’s changed. What frustrates me most is that central government and the council both say they have limited funds for front line services... but can afford this monstrosity of a bus lane!”
Despite attracting criticism from all over the country last year, B&NES has decided to build another bus lane further into Bath near the Red Lion Inn which is only 177yards long. Peasedown Councillor Nathan Hartley added:
“£115,000 of the total £988,600 was spent on consultants. You’d think that they, for that amount of money, would have given the council the simple advice not to spend anymore on bus lanes. Apparently not, the Conservatives haven’t learnt and want to re-live last summer all over again.
Interestingly, even the Council gritters recognise that no one uses the bus lane because there was a perfect sheet of snow over it in January, with the other two lanes cleared from the grit laid by council workmen.”
Almost 150 people have joined a Facebook group set up by Gail Coleshill condemning the bus lane.
The figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that the £988,600 was spent on:
Construction (New bus lane, drainage & ancillary works) = £720,100
Internal costs (Project management, legal, property, planning requirements) = £111,400
External costs (Preliminary, feasibility & detailed design consultants) = £115,418
Land (Land purchase, agents & licensingfees) = £37,477
Environmental (Archaeological surveys, site investigation, safety audits, misc) = £14,225
Monday, 4 January 2010
Core Strategy - What does Neil think?
Open Letter to Newspapers:Dear Sir
I am the councillor for Bathavon South ward, covering South Stoke - where I happen to live, and five other parishes to the south of Bath. I am writing to comment on the Core Strategy document and the proposal to build an urban extension, whether at South Stoke or Newton St Loe.
Exactly 40 years ago, I joined the then Institute of Personnel Management - now the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I remember well attending an IPM event held at Bristol University a year later where we were told of the remarkable surge in membership that was then taking place. I further recall calculating that if the surge continued at its present rate, almost the entire country would be employed in personnel management by the year 2010! This was of course absurd, and after a while the rate of increase duly tailed off.
I mention this because it seems to me that we are in danger of getting caught up with similar false arguments, involving extrapolation of trends, where housing numbers are concerned.
Yes, it is clear that we do need some new housing. No-one would deny that. But of course the key questions are - how much, and where should it go?
There are currently some 8,000 on the housing waiting list in Bath & North East Somerset, well short of the 15,500 being planned for - never mind the 21,300 the Government is trying to impose upon us.
Let us say we made provision for the entire housing waiting list. We have the three MoD sites to work with; there is Bath Western Riverside; there are the almost 700 empty properties; and there are a number of areas around B&NES where more housing would be warmly welcomed. Further to that, the two universities could be asked to accommodate all first and final year students on campus, releasing large numbers of homes in the Oldfield Park area for normal family use. Ie: it should not be difficult to make up the total required.
Incidentally, I asked recently whether B&NES still had the power to initiate housebuilding itself, if private developers wouldn't get on with it in brownfield areas. The answer was 'yes, indeed they could!'. Food for thought there...
I believe that either proposed extension would cause immense traffic and other problems, and ruin the setting of Bath in terms of its status as a World Heritage Site. Moreover, I strongly disapprove of coalescence between either Bath and South Stoke or Bath and Newton St Loe - which would ruin the character of either village.
As you may recall, I and Gail Coleshill (Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for North East Somerset) presented our own petition from South Stoke to the Government of the South West in October 2008 (pictured above).
Also, I was happy to make the point by voting against the whole Core Strategy document at the special full council meeting on 1st October, and intend to continue in the same vein. Independent campaigners such as Jenny John (South Stoke) and the Newton St Loe Conservation Group therefore have my full support. All power to their elbows.
Yours sincerely
Neil Butters
(Lib Dem, Bathavon South)
I am the councillor for Bathavon South ward, covering South Stoke - where I happen to live, and five other parishes to the south of Bath. I am writing to comment on the Core Strategy document and the proposal to build an urban extension, whether at South Stoke or Newton St Loe.
Exactly 40 years ago, I joined the then Institute of Personnel Management - now the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I remember well attending an IPM event held at Bristol University a year later where we were told of the remarkable surge in membership that was then taking place. I further recall calculating that if the surge continued at its present rate, almost the entire country would be employed in personnel management by the year 2010! This was of course absurd, and after a while the rate of increase duly tailed off.
I mention this because it seems to me that we are in danger of getting caught up with similar false arguments, involving extrapolation of trends, where housing numbers are concerned.
Yes, it is clear that we do need some new housing. No-one would deny that. But of course the key questions are - how much, and where should it go?
There are currently some 8,000 on the housing waiting list in Bath & North East Somerset, well short of the 15,500 being planned for - never mind the 21,300 the Government is trying to impose upon us.
Let us say we made provision for the entire housing waiting list. We have the three MoD sites to work with; there is Bath Western Riverside; there are the almost 700 empty properties; and there are a number of areas around B&NES where more housing would be warmly welcomed. Further to that, the two universities could be asked to accommodate all first and final year students on campus, releasing large numbers of homes in the Oldfield Park area for normal family use. Ie: it should not be difficult to make up the total required.
Incidentally, I asked recently whether B&NES still had the power to initiate housebuilding itself, if private developers wouldn't get on with it in brownfield areas. The answer was 'yes, indeed they could!'. Food for thought there...
I believe that either proposed extension would cause immense traffic and other problems, and ruin the setting of Bath in terms of its status as a World Heritage Site. Moreover, I strongly disapprove of coalescence between either Bath and South Stoke or Bath and Newton St Loe - which would ruin the character of either village.
As you may recall, I and Gail Coleshill (Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for North East Somerset) presented our own petition from South Stoke to the Government of the South West in October 2008 (pictured above).
Also, I was happy to make the point by voting against the whole Core Strategy document at the special full council meeting on 1st October, and intend to continue in the same vein. Independent campaigners such as Jenny John (South Stoke) and the Newton St Loe Conservation Group therefore have my full support. All power to their elbows.
Yours sincerely
Neil Butters
(Lib Dem, Bathavon South)
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