We are continuing to work hard with the Response2Route Group to prevent our Newbridge Meadows and their green corridor being destroyed by the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] proposals.
Here is a summary of what is happening.
Department For Transport [DfT] Funding for the Bath Transportation Package [BTP]
The Council have to prove to the DFT that the BTP (including the BRT) is the best possible scheme for the money. We are very busy proving to the DFT that the BRT element is definitely not the best possible scheme for the money and, a joint submission with the R2R Group has been made to the DfT details of which will be made available on this website shortly.
We believe that B&NES Council is trying to rush their submission through to the DfT before Easter. As the deadline is not until September, we assume it sees some benefit in doing this. In any case B&NES no longer has time to alter the scheme so it's all or nothing for the BTP. We believe they are going to lose all of the central funding because of their inflexible approach.
B&NES Council is stubbornly refusing to investigate alternatives and provide the government with proof that they have done proper research into the alternatives or any cost-benefit analysis. This is worrying to us as we know there are elements of the BTP which would be of benefit to Bath but, they will all be lost if B&NES’ inflexible approach means that the DfT refuse to grant any funding at all.
We know that the alternatives of siting a Park and Ride Car Park at Twerton Fork on the southern side of the river and using the Upper and Lower Bristol Roads for the BRT buses instead of the proposed new segregated stretch of road, is easily adapted, saving both money and destruction, and delivering benefits to the areas stated by the council to be “deprived.”
B&NES have now set up a “Transport Commission‟ to advise them further on the BTP, consisting of people and bodies who have already stated they support the BRT. The Response2Route Group have not been invited to participate, despite asking to be allowed to do so and having now spent more than 4 years becoming expert in all things transport-related in Newbridge.
Village Green applications
As readers will know from previous postings, an application was submitted on behalf of Newbridge Matters for the Newbridge Meadows Village Green to be Registered as such and, details of the Non- Statutory Public Inquiry for the Newbridge Meadows are shown in the previous posting.
Although if granted, the Registration of the Village Greens would almost 100% prevent the areas from being developed, the primary reason for seeking Registration is to ensure that they continue to be available for this and future generations to enjoy.
These Village Green spaces have been used for over 20 years by local people for recreational activities which means they are already Village Greens. We are simply seeking to get that status officially recognised through a formal process.
Response2Route and Newbridge Matters have applied for Village Green status on three areas of land. The applications have been moving forward and we now have dates for the two Non-Statutory Public Inquiries that will be held into the two applications submitted by the R2R Group. All these Inquiries are required to be held as the Council have objected to our applications.
All three Inquiries will be held in the Council Chamber at The Guildhall in Bath, the dates being as shown below:
Newbridge Meadows…11th - 14th April 2011…..Full details as shown on the previous posting.
Rudmore Park…………23rd - 26th May 2011…..Full details not yet known
Kaynton Mead…………13th – 16th June 2011….Full details not yet known
Members of the public are strongly urged to come along to support us at all the Public Inquiries.
Newbridge Matters has obtained Proofs of Evidence of the use of the Meadows Village Green for use at the Inquiry and the R2R Group has been busy putting together evidence to make sure they are fully prepared for their inquiries.
We need local residents to speak at the inquiries – without witnesses we will fail. There are very few of us on the committee who fulfil the criteria to be a witness. We need to prove that the Village Greens have been used by the community overall for a period of at least 20 years, for lawful leisure pursuits.
If you are a member of the community and you have used the Village Greens for any period of time, we need you – please get in touch!
If you cannot attend the Inquiries in person due to a holiday or other commitment please contact us as we can arrange for your submission to be read out by someone else. All witnesses will be fully briefed by our advocate who has experience of many dozens of such inquiries.
Don’t assume we have plenty of other people to do this – we need YOU!
If you work full-time this will not be a problem as there should be at least one evening session built into the schedule to accommodate those of us who do.
Any photographic or other evidence showing leisure pursuits on any of the areas over the last 20 years will be extremely useful and will be gratefully received. Please email to: r2rnewsletter@aol.com
If you do not qualify as a witness but have any interest in seeing our Village Green applications succeed, please support us by coming along and watching the process from the public viewing gallery in the Council Chamber at The Guildhall.
The inquiries have to be run along semi-formal lines in order to reach an official conclusion but most people who attend them enjoy the experience.
A report on the Village Greens has been published in The Bath Chronicle newspaper, edition of Thursday 24th March page 38.
Compulsory Purchase Orders [CPOs] Public Inquiry
Regardless of B&NES’ plans to keep the BTP in its entirety to submit to the Government for funding, the Public Inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Orders will still need to take place, as if B&NES wish to proceed with the work using Government funding, they need to be in possession of all the necessary land required for the work. We are working hard to put together our dossier of evidence and will be employing expert witnesses to counteract the Council’s arguments.
Local Elections
It is likely that the BRT will feature in the local elections and it will be to your advantage to quiz your prospective Councillors on their views. Some are not as opposed to the BRT as you may assume.
Funding
We have contracted experts to help us in all the above and this costs money. If you would like to help you can donate via PayPal on the R2R web site www.response2route.co.uk or send a cheque made payable to Response2Route to the R2R Treasurer at 43 Ashley Avenue, Bath BA1 3DS.
We thank you for your continued support.
Response2Route www.response2route.co.uk
Newbridge Matters http://www.newbridgematters.blogspot.com/
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