Fighting fund

To further the progression of justice regarding the Bath Transportation Package, of which the Newbridge park and ride extension is part, the time has come to seek legal advice on judicial review. We have joined forces with other campaigners across Bath and negotiated extremely favourable rates with a leading London lawyer and barrister who have a vast experience in this area.

Of course this costs money!

Please help us raise our share by donating whatever you feel comfortable with. We have set up an account for this purpose, and all contributions should be made payable to:

Account name: Newbridge Matters
Sort code: 30-90-54
Account number: 32158668
Bank: Lloyds TSB
Name: include your name for reference purposes
Currency: Sterling only

Please e-mail through your name and address details to receive a receipt and refund in the unlikely event we receive an excess of funds.

For further information please e-mail us.

Thank you for your support.

Update on CPO objections

It has been reported in the local paper that the Government Office for the North East has received 160 letters of objection to the compulsory purchase orders relating to the BTP.

We are now waiting for B&NES to make contact.

You couldn't make it up!

Bath resident, Carlo Ambrosino, recently lodged a legal challenge against B&NES' officers on the grounds of the common law offence of Misfeasance. This pertains to questions regarding the first vote at the DDC meeting on 8 July 2009 where Councillors voted 6-5 against the Newbridge planning application. Mr Ambrosino had written to the Council asking for details of the legislation that allows them to ignore the vote. As the Council have refused to reply to this correspondence, yet continued as though there was a legitimate answer to the enquiry, technically various officers have committed the common law offence of Misfeasance in a public office.

The court case was due to be heard on 16 November 2009. However, B&NES neglected to send a representative to defend the Council's standpoint claiming later that they did not need to attend. This opinion clearly differed from that of the Judge as a hearing was re-scheduled for 20 November 2009. Mr Ambrosino was unable to make this meeting, however, the Council's barrister did and apparently attempted to persuade the Judge to hear the case anyway. When asked why a B&NES' representative had failed to attend the original court case, the barrister replied that the Council didn't feel it was necessary as there was no case to answer.

The Judge has now set a provisional date of 4 December 2009 with double the previous time allocation.

Bath Heritage Watchdog's website contains further details and there is also a report in the Bath Chronicle.