What now for Bath's transport and the Bus Rapid Transit?

Thank goodness that finally the Government has 'called in' the Compulsory Purchase Order parts of the Bath Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme.

We can only hope that an inspector will see sense and not allow these compulsory orders.

We can also hope that any incoming Government will take a long, hard look at transport expenditure and decide that spending £60 million on a flawed scheme, that will neither remove congestion or reduce pollution, is not money well spent.

The council is of course still fully committed (after some odd votes in committees) to the scheme. They have spent, and plan to spend, tens of thousands of pounds of council tax money on the scheme and are desperate to get the money as they have no alternative plan.

They will have problems justifying such expenditure at a time when they are also planning potentially biting cuts in services.

The Chronicle article also shows the continuing arrogance of the spokespeople involved, when they make a statement that its just an old railway line, and not a green space. The last time I looked it was people's back gardens – and a green space for the people around.

Perhaps 2010 will see some sense in transport planning, some engagement with local communities, and a proper plan to help reduce congestion and pollution in Bath?

ERIC LUCAS Bath Green Party Lower Weston, Bath

Re: the news of the inquiry which follows the 'will of the people?'

Some 160 complaints out of a population of 80,000 – thank goodness we live in a pluralist democracy!

MEREDITH LLOYD Gloucester Road, Bath

Just like good old SuBo did, I Dreamed A Dream recently, but unlike last year, when I dreamt Councillor Haeberling was spending a Dickensian Christmas, this year Mrs Haeberling was spending a Jane Austen Christmas, with a sprinkling of The Beatles and a smidgen of Monty Python (plus some interlopers).

In my dream (or was it a nightmare)? Mrs Haeberling was standing in front of a mirror rehearsing a premature speech for the opening of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit).

It went thus.

'It is with great Pride and Prejudice against Newbridge, and I didn't need any Persuasion, I open with no Sense and Sensibility for Newbridge, this Magical Mystery Tour to nowhere. Grab your Ticket to Ride and forget The Great Escape as there will be no Oliver Twist without Money, Money, Money from Somewhere over the Rainbow.

'It is a complete nonsense parkers at Bathampton Meadows are singing 'we all live in a Yellow Submarine as the water is never that deep. Anyway, 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life I say as I've solved the mystery of the Christmas ice rink – the flooded car park will do just fine'.

I would also like Mrs Haeberling to remember The Beatles words, 'There's nothing you can do that can't be done', so don't count your chickens.

May I also humbly recommend the following New Year resolutions be adopted by the council leader in 2010.

Resolve not to visit China so often as I've already caught the anti-democracy bug and I don't wish to pick up more from Mao's Little Red Book.

Resolve to persuade poor old Charles Gerrish to read the Chronicle again as he doesn't know what he's missing. And resolve to stop 'greenwashing' and save Newton St Loe.

PETER BURNS Lower Weston, Bath

I would like to take this opportunity in the Christmas issue to raise a toast to Sam Holliday and all the staff at the Bath Chronicle for allowing us all the space to state our views about the 'Great Transport Debate'.

On behalf of First Light, thank you and happy whatever you celebrate at this time of the year!

SEAN RUSSELL FRIEND Saint Peter's Terrace, Bath