Transport plans now competing with 44 schemes for Government cash
The Bath Transportation Package now officially faces competition for Government cash from twice as many other schemes across the country.
Government officials have promoted 23 other transport projects into a priority list of 22 schemes all vying for hundreds of millions of pounds of public money.
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At the moment, the Department for Transport is expecting to have £630 million available to turn schemes to which it has not already committed funds into reality.
Now competing for a share of that money will be 45 schemes - with requests for Government cash totalling £950 million.
This week, officials crossed 11 schemes off a lower priority reserve list and promoted the remaining 23 into what is called the development pool - a group which already included Bath and North East Somerset Council’s programme of new park and ride spaces and the bus rapid transit route.
They say they have created a situation where local councils are looking for one and a half times as much funding as is available so as to ensure there is the maximum choice for ministers and to encourage local authorities to look at cutting costs.
The DfT has also for the first time published what was effectively its pecking order of the original 22 schemes in terms of their perceived value for money.
The table - based on the costs and requests tabled by authorities at the time of the public spending review last October - put the BTP in 11th position.
In the last few weeks, the council has revealed that it plans to absorb more of the cost of the package itself, and to cut out £7.9 million of improvements, in a bid to persuade ministers to pick the programme when they decide how to spend the money later this year.
B&NES will now be asking the DfT for £36 million towards what is likely to end up as a £59 million package – a reduction from the £50.7 million originally requested.
A document produced by the DfT says councils will have to submit their final funding bids by September 9, with ministers announcing the schemes which will get support in December.
It says decisions on which to back will be made looking at value for money, the proportion of overall funding coming from non-DfT sources, deliverability, strategic importance, and ensuring all regions get a fair crack of the whip.
There are five schemes from the former Avon now in the development pool, with work in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare also looking for funding.
A spokeswoman for the West of England Partnership - which aims to ensure local authorities speak with one voice on strategic issues - said: “These schemes are now in a more positive position as the total number of schemes across the country has been reduced as a result of this assessment process.
“These transport improvements are a key part of the business and economic strength of the area - they will introduce a new, rapid, reliable and frequent public transport network, helping to reduce reliance on the private car as well as providing new links to tackle congestion and carbon usage. This will help people travel to schools and colleges, to jobs and to shop; they will encourage business to the area and help our existing businesses maintain their strong performance; all keeping the West of England at the forefront of the economic recovery.”
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by HC, beyondthepale-sub-mendip
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 10:14AM
“This blog posting from the Campaign for Better Transport pretty well sums up the whole farce:
http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/blogs/roads/DfT-is-chicken
It's scant consolation to know that we're not alone in being striped by an incompetent and bungling ruling clique.”
by Tim B, Bath
Monday, February 07 2011, 10:30AM
“@Paul: apologies, then. So much "news" is just PR these days.
You must admit, though, it won't win a Plain English award ;)”
by Paul Wiltshire, Deputy editor
Monday, February 07 2011, 9:16AM
“Tim: As the particular monkey responsible for this piece, I'm sorry things aren't as crystal clear as you would like. There was a group of 22 schemes being assessed as a high priority for Government cash. Last week, 23 schemes in a lower priority pool (think of it like football divisions) were promoted into this higher level, making a total of 45. And, no, that information didn't come from a press release.”
by Tim B, Bath
Monday, February 07 2011, 9:11AM
“"The Bath Transportation Package now officially faces competition for Government cash from twice as many other schemes across the country.
Government officials have promoted 23 other transport projects into a priority list of 22 schemes all vying for hundreds of millions of pounds of public money"
Just. What. The. Heck? These are just the random outpourings of a monkey with a typewriter, surely?
"Competition... from twice as many other schemes". Twice as many as what?
"promoted 23 other transport projects into a priority list of 22 schemes." Quart into a pint-pot, anyone? What does this *mean*? Or is this just a rehashed press-release (more than likely) written in such a way as to bamboozle the public with clever-sounding but internally-inconsistent wording?”
by Little Buttercup, Bath
Sunday, February 06 2011, 3:59PM
“Not only that, Loraine, but I bet they won't be using the wretched thing either. How about pushing through this by-law - anyone who supported the BRT must be forced to use it at least three times a week.”
by Loraine Brinkhurst, Bath
Sunday, February 06 2011, 12:14PM
“The Council printing information and letters of support from the business community shows how hard the Conservative Cabinet on B&NES Council are trying to push the BTP/BRT through. But the business leaders won't be losing half their gardens, and have P&R buses going along the back of their gardens.
A one mile road on the old railway line through Newbridge (when we already have the Upper Bristol and Lower Bristol Roads) will not improve the economy or give any additonal benefits to businesses.
This continues to show that the council and business community have not listened to the residents of Newbridge and Kingsmead who after all live here 24/7!
Those wanting the BRT/BTP must also recognise and remember that local residents are shoppers in Bath so put money into the economy and many work in the City as well so their views should be listened to as well.”
by Viscount Vixley, Bath
Friday, February 04 2011, 8:52PM
“Ooh! The waters get murkier and murkier. I still cannot comprehend the lengths they will go to in forcing the whole of this package through. There is clearly no gain in regards to congestion or anything else for that matter. Who gains?
Why are BANES so desperate I wonder?”
by Eagle Eye, Bath
Friday, February 04 2011, 4:41PM
“Para 4.5 of the DFT Document is very interesting:
"Some local authority promoters have asked whether or not DfT would be prepared to approve any individual Development Pool schemes in advance of the end of 2011 decision point if acceptable Best and Final Funding Bids are submitted early. We are considering this issue carefully and will inform promoters in due course. However, the assumption should be that the scope to make any such approvals would be very limited and on a truly exceptional basis"
I would be very interested to know if BANES is one of those local authority promotors.
The full DFT document can be found here
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/ltp/major/transportschemesupdate/pdf/transportschemesupdate.pdf”
by Eagle Eye, Bath
Friday, February 04 2011, 4:12PM
“I am sure our Council is complying with the appropriate rules and regulations.
However this announcement today would explain why the Council chose to publish what they claim are letters of support from businesses yesterday
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Remarkable-similarities-letters-backing-council-stance/article-3175857-detail/article.html”
by Major Flack, Weston
Friday, February 04 2011, 4:02PM
“Eagle Eye...
A stitch up, surely not given our esteemed council's spotlessly trustworthy and transparent record on this subject?”