Transport plans to go on show
Council chiefs will put a controversial package of transport improvements on display at a three-day exhibition in Bath.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has drawn up £58 million of plans to tackle congestion in the city.
Among its proposals are the £16 million Bus Rapid Transit scheme through Newbridge and a new park and site at Bathampton.
It also wants to expand other park and ride sites and create new showcase bus routes.
There is opposition to both the rapid transit scheme and the new park and ride site, as well as to the expansion of the Newbridge park and ride facility.
All of its plans for the Bath Transportation Package will be on display at the Guildhall on November 6, 7 and 8.
There will be four planning applications.
These will be for:
* the new Bathampton park and ride
* expansion of Lansdown park and ride
* expansion of Odd Down park and ride
* expansion of Newbridge park and ride and the Bus Rapid Transit route which will link the Newbridge and Bathampton park and rides, via the city centre.
Cabinet member for transport Cllr Charles Gerrish said: "The public exhibition represents an opportunity for all local residents across the Bath and North East Somerset area to see what the council would like to achieve for the benefit of the whole district and how we intend to tackle traffic congestion.
"The council recognises the fact the area faces gridlock unless transport measures are implemented that tackle traffic congestion. Doing nothing is not an option.
"These vital elements of the council's transport plans that help us in improving transport and the public realm will expand the park and ride sites by over 2,500 spaces and provide bus rapid transit running from east to west.
"This will also serve the Western Riverside which will become the location for 2,200 homes."
The council has warned that there will be a 14 per cent rise in cars in the city centre in the morning rush hour period if current trends continue.
Council representatives will be on hand to answer questions from residents at the exhibition, which runs from 3pm to 7pm on the Thursday, from 10am to 6pm on the Friday and from 9.30am to 5pm on the Saturday.
5 Comments
by Emma, Bath City
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 3:19PM
“There is a huge reduction in car parking spaces in the City! Check out all the areas turned into 'resident parking only'!”
by Rob Lewis, Bath
Sunday, October 26 2008, 7:07AM
“It was disappointing to learn that Bath is to have a 'bus rapid transit' rather than a tramway. Buses are very much a second class option, won't be 'rapid' and will not attract many people out of their cars. Trams are popular and well used in mainland Europe and are more comfortable, quieter and cleaner than buses. A tramway would be more expensive but would offer a much higher quality of service - and would be a big step for Bath into the 21st century.”
by Eric Lucas, Bath
Saturday, October 25 2008, 5:20PM
“What Charles Gerrish fails to mention is that almost everybody affected by the proposals are against them and that it will not reduce the present congestion. It is designed to encourage more visitors to Bath as there is no reduction in car parking in the Centre ( The new southgate car park will add spaces.) . This is another example of the council ploughing ahead ignoring public opinion, in the name of progress and applying some greenwash to it , At the same time spending council taxpayers money on glossy P.R rather than having meaningful consultation”
by Jozef Goj, Colo Heights NSW australia
Saturday, October 25 2008, 4:47AM
“Would someone care to visit www.ubtsc.com.au and confirm for themselves that the 21st Century roads infrastructure there would eliminate all jams ,gridlock and congestion. Then take that information to the meeting and demand that it be put in place. At least then when I return to Bath hopefully in the near future I won't still be stuck in traffic out of peak hour like the last time I was there over 30 years ago.
With this infrastructure there will be no need for a rapid bus route as they will travel at the same speed as all the other vehicles using the same roads.
That will use the resource for the benefit of all.
All you need do is ask yourself .
Do you want to drive across town in peak traffic on the major roads and get to your destination without stopping at a single intersection reducing your fuel bill in the process eliminating all jams gridlock and congestion and reduce the pollution by 40%?
If the answer is YES then lobby for Liquid Flow Traffic infrastructure and sort the problem out once and for all.
Just to cause the brain to work ask .Has any infrastructure in the last 140 years solved the problem? The answer is NO !
Liquid Flow traffic intersections are 21st Century infrastructure that will resolve the problems forever . YOU just have to build it.”
by JC, Bath
Friday, October 24 2008, 3:35PM
“A chance to 'SEE'. In other words, they don't care what anybody thinks, and are not prepared to listen and re-consider the hare-brained parts of the scheme. Perhaps a bit of consultation at an earlier stage might have produced a far better plan.”