Lib Dems attack Tory transport plan
Opposition politicians will next week attempt to put the brakes on a major programme of transport improvements for Bath.
Liberal Democrats say the ruling Tory administration at the Guildhall is "railroading" the Bath Transportation Package through in the teeth of objections.
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Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council chiefs say the package – which will cost between £54 million and £58 million – is the answer to the city's worsening congestion problems.
And it says the Government cash that will fund most of the work could be lost if there are any changes to the plans that affect the overall cost of the package.
These include a new park and ride site at Bathampton, the expansion of existing sites at Odd Down, Newbridge and Lansdown, and the £16 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project running east-west across the city.
Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion to a full meeting of the council next Thursday calling for "a proper debate" on the subject.
It says the package is different to what was agreed through the Local Plan.
Councillor Caroline Roberts said: "It seems that the Conservative-run Cabinet is determined to railroad through the BRT and not to listen to any opposition.
"The way that this Conservative administration is running roughshod over local people is a disgrace.
"They feel it is perfectly acceptable to make changes to the proposed park and ride site to the east of Bath but refuse to countenance changes to the BRT route – despite the lack of proof of the benefits of the chosen route."
Councillor Andrew Furse added: "It would appear the Conservatives are more interested in talking about who voted for what and when in the past, rather than looking at what is happening now.
"Cabinet members should accept that the Local Plan and Local Transport Plan do not reflect the current schemes for the Bath Transport Package."
The group's motion says the package "should not go ahead without detailed analysis of the options and further consultation with residents".
But Conservative members criticised the Lib Dems for back-tracking on earlier cross-party support for the scheme.
Cllr Colin Barrett said: "The BRT route was clearly detailed in the Local Plan, which was debated for four years and adopted by all parties last year."
2 Comments
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Saturday, November 15 2008, 9:55PM
“If they would just clear all the roads of unnecessary encumbrances and hindrances; and just accepted that people don't want to walk, catch buses or ride bicycles, we would all get where we wish to go a lot quicker and cause much less pollution.”
by steve, melksham
Saturday, November 15 2008, 1:17PM
“I cannot understand why the Batheaston bypass has not been linked to the A36 warminster road. This link would reduce traffic on the eastern side of Bath at a stroke and ease congestion on the London Road. It will also take most of the commercial traffic out of Bath.
Yes, i have heard the arguements about a new road spoiling the scenary and I sympathize to a point. But when all the new housing that is proposed east of Bath becomes a reality, then this link will have to be built and will probably be rushed through when the scale of the problem becomes apparent with no respect to the countryside.
I travel into Bath regularly and am disgusted with the way the council is constantly mis-managing the traffic flow. I sometime feel it would be quicker to walk, even the buses get stuck in badly organised traffic flow.”