As no further postings have been made you could be forgiven for thinking that your team at Newbridge Matters had gone on an extended Christmas holiday and had not yet returned.
However, that is very far from the truth. We have been working very hard indeed with many different authorities in order to try and ensure that Newbridge is provided with the very best possible outcome concerning the Council’s proposals for the Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] system including the proposed Park and Ride Car Park. We thought that time spent on those activities had priority over time spent on postings and, apologise to readers who may think otherwise.
Bath Rapid Transit system.
A member of our team together with representatives of Response to Route [R2R] group. met the city’s MP the Rt Hon. Don Foster on Monday 21st February 2011.
The serious concerns of those in Newbridge relating to the proposed Car Park on the Village Green at Newbridge Meadows and, those of residents directly affected by the proposed New Road as part of the BRT through resident’s gardens, and others, were made known to Don Foster. He promised to pass these on to the DfT.
If B&NES Council wish to obtain money from the Government in order to carry out their proposals contained within the Bath Transportation Package [BTP], which includes the New Road for the BRT route and the Car Park, then they will have to satisfy the Department for Transport [DfT] that the scheme would achieve its objectives and be of ‘value for money.’
In discussions with the DfT they have advised us that, not only are they allowing amendments to the scope of schemes where that would improve affordability and value for money, they are positively encouraging it.
The next steps in the process are that the DfT will have discussions with local authority promoters of various schemes, prior to them submitting a Best and Final Funding Bid on 9 September and, they aim to make decisions by the end of 2011 on which schemes will be funded. In submitting their Best and final Funding Bids authorities will need to specify the precise scope and cost of the scheme amongst other things and. will not be bound by what they have already submitted in their Expression of Interest, which is very much an opening statement for discussion.
It is understood that B&NES Council will likely submit a fresh Expression of Interest to the DfT before the deadline for receipt of same of 9th September 2011.
The DfT welcome comments from the public and interested parties on the Expressions of Interest received and will consider these as part of their consideration of the schemes in question.
Enquiries and submissions from the public may be sent to:
Mr Bob Collins
Department for Transport
3/29 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
E mail address: Bob.Collins@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Car Park
Previous correspondence with Don Foster established that he did not think the present proposed site for the Newbridge Car Park on the Meadows, was an appropriate location.
We have advised B&NES and the DfT that if a new Car Park is required in Newbridge, it should be located on its original proposed site south of the river on Duchy of Cornwall land.
This site has very many advantages over the present proposal on the Village Green, including a less cost of construction.
In order to protect the Newbridge Meadows from future development, so that the present and future generations of inhabitants may continue to enjoy the facilities they offer, as has been the case for many past generations, readers will be aware that a member of our team submitted an application last year for the Village Green on Newbridge Meadows to be Registered as such.
B&NES have now arranged for an Inquiry to be held into this application, details of which are set out below.
Non – Statutory Public Inquiry to Consider an Application to Register Land as a Town or Village Green under Section 15(2) of The Commons Act 2006
The Land is known as the Village Green Newbridge Meadows - Newbridge – Bath
Details of the Inquiry
The Inquiry will take place in the Council Chamber, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW on the following days and at the times stated in April 2011.
It will be conducted by the Inspector appointed by B&NES, Mr Leslie Blohm Q.C
Monday 11th April 10.30am to 1.00pm
Monday 11th April 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Monday 11th April 6.00pm until the session closes
Tuesday 12th April 10.30am to 1.00pm
Tuesday 12th April 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 13th April 10.30am to 1.00pm
Wednesday 13th April 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Thursday 14th April 10.30am to 1.00pm
Thursday 14th April 2.00pm to 4.30pm
It is possible that the Inquiry could be concluded before Thursday 14th April and it could be extended, depending upon the Inspector’s directions.
An inspection of the Village Green will take place at the conclusion of the Inquiry.
Proofs of Evidence of use of the Village Green have been obtained and it is anticipated that the authors will read aloud their statements during the Inquiry.
Any member of the public may attend the Inquiry and if allowed
by the Inspector, they may address those present.
Newbridge Matters hope that members of the public will attend the Inquiry to show support for the actions we have and are taking in order to protect the interests of residents.
In due course, the Inspector will make his decision as to whether the Village Green should be Registered or not, known to B&NES and, it will then be up to the appropriate committee of the Council to accept or refuse that recommendation.
If the Village Green becomes ‘Registered’ it is unlikely that any future development could take place on the site.
From the length of this bulletin, readers will be aware that we have been working extremely hard in order to try and ensure that Newbridge becomes an even better place to live, work and visit.
