BRT inquiry decision now likely to be next month
Civil servants say they are now not likely to rule on whether there will be a public inquiry into controversial transport plans in Bath until the middle of next month.
The Government Office for the South West had been intending to decide by the end of this month on whether to call in two key elements of the Bath Transportation Package.
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BRTimage
Bath and North East Somerset Council last week began issuing documents relating to compulsory purchase orders for work on the Bus Rapid Transit scheme, the expansion of Newbridge Park and Ride site and a new stretch of bus lane at Lambridge.
The authority is waiting to hear from GoSW - acting on behalf of Communities Secretary John Denham - over the BRT/Newbridge Park and Ride scheme and the creation of a new park and ride facility at Bathampton.
GoSW indicated earlier this year that it might want to have the final say on the BRT, while its officials' blessing is needed for the Bathampton project because it is a departure from the local plan blueprint.
GoSW assistant planning manager David Brown is now telling residents affected by the BRT that its decision-making process has been slightly delayed.
"We had hoped to be in a position to issue the decisions by the close of September, however that now looks unlikely and we think it will be closer to the middle of October."
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by Eagle Eye, Bath
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 6:16PM
“It can only be a matter of weeks rather than months before the GOSW and DFT are told to forget all transport packages because there is no money.”
by PJ, Batheaston
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 7:54AM
“"Various theories were put forward for the heavy traffic. "
Nothing tangible then Anil? How strange!”
by Sulis, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 8:04PM
“Just wait for the Southgate car park to open. You ain't seen nothing yet.”
by Stacey, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 7:46PM
“I seem to remember the Council said that traffic would get a lot better once the new bus station opened ...”
by anil, island gdns
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 6:31PM
“CS- no I didn't forget to mention it - Guernsey isn't part of the UK; long may it stay that way. That's one attraction of going there. Otherwise, one may as well go to cornwall. The quality of life seems better in Guernsey. I'm lucky to have made several trips; hopefully more in the future.
PJ - it took 55 minutes to reach newbridge as the bus was travelling about 3 feet every 5 minutes from the bus station due to heavy traffic that hardly moved. Add to that longer dwell times at bus stops while people fiddled around with cash. It resulted in a total loss.
Various theories were put forward for the heavy traffic. When I reached bristol bus station, national express staff said they had heard of the hold-ups in bath and changed my 6 gbp ticket to london for the next coach. Normally, had I missed one, I would have had to buy another ticket. I left 1 hr 20 mins for the journey. I can cycle from Bath to Bristol in that time.”
by Sulis, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 6:16PM
“"A better route for the BRT would be to bring it over Windsor bridge and take it through Victoria park."
Have you ever actually been to Bath? Even if this was a serious suggestion how would it be an improvement? Enter Victoria Park at the bottom of Park Lane and leave in Marlborough Street? It would make the BRT even slower.”
by Anne Ville, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 6:01PM
“Less than an hour to get to the park and ride Anil?
Lucky you. I got on a bus in during the worst gridlock Bath has ever seen and it took me two yonks and an eon to get out to Hartwells.”
by Digital, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 5:29PM
“Now that Gordon Brown appears to be accepting the challenge of a televised debate on Sky I think it's time Cllr Francine Haeberling joined the leaders of her Council opposition parties in a live BRT radio debate on Bath FM or Heart.”
by CS, Newbridge
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 5:14PM
“What Anil also forgets to mention about Guernsey is it is not part of the United Kingdom it isn't even part of the European Union. As to four cars per household you will find that an amazing number are there for an extreamly short time just shipped (exported) there to be reimported as low mileage second hand cars here.”
by Terry, Bath
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 4:03PM
“What I find most disturbing about this issue, and many issues regarding planning and development, is that civil servants and other non-elected officials are making decisions that affect local communities. If a councillor,or an MP, takes a view or makes a decision with which I disagree, at least I have the opportunity to oppose that decision through the ballot box. Who is providing these non-elected officials the authority to disregard the wishes of local residents? I get the feeling that even our elected officers sometimes have to go along with the wishes of these quango officials.”