Readers could be forgiven for thinking that we at Newbridge Matters had packed our bags and gone away for a long holiday. Not true…..we have been very busy working with residents, friends, visitors, supporters and Councillors to ensure that everything possible is being done to keep Newbridge a safe and pleasant area in which to live, work and play.
Apart from the very important fact that the Bath and North East Somerset [B&NES] Council is now controlled by the Lib Dems instead of the Conservatives, knowledge of which readers will no doubt have gained from the local press and radio, there has been very little until now concerning Newbridge, to post on this website.
Bath Transportaion Package - [BTP]
Although the new Lib Dem Councillors have made dramatic changes to the original BTP, these changes were only finally approved by the Council at their meeting on Thursday 14th July 2011.
These changes include the omission of the proposed New Road from Brassmill Lane to Windsor Bridge Road, part of which would have passed through private gardens and other privately owned areas and, apparently the omission of the proposed Park and Ride [P&R] Car Park on Bathampton Meadows.
The omission of the New Road has been a great relief to those in private properties who have suffered terribly from the potential of losing their gardens with really monstrous construction works on their door-steps and until now, the prospect of being unable to sell their properties privately if they so wished.
Likewise, the apparent omission of the Bathampton Meadows Car Park on a beautiful area east of Bath, will be if never constructed, welcomed by many.
Also included in these changes is the proposed P&R Car Park at Newbridge, where instead of a 500 space Car Park, it is now proposed that a 250 space Car Park be provided instead.
At this point in time it is not known where this Car Park will be sited but, we have been told that the Council is actively seeking an alternative site to that originally proposed. The original site for the expansion for 500 spaces was on land to the north east of the present Car Park.
At the Council meeting held on 14th July, Councillors promised ‘consultation’ on any Car Park site selected and, we will be actively pressing for ‘consultation’ to take place as soon as possible.
A comprehensive BTP scheme, including any Car Park for Newbridge, for the Best and Final Bid for Grant Money, must be submitted to the Department for Transport [DfT] by 9th September 2011.
If no Grant Money becomes available, no doubt the Council will have to consider further if they have sufficient finances to construct the Car Park.
Newbridge Meadows Village Green
As reported in an earlier posting, the Public Inquiry into the Newbridge Meadows Village Green was held on 11th, 12th and 13th April 2011.
We are still waiting for the Inspector’s recommendations as to whether the Meadows should be ‘Registered.’
The Public Inquiries into the Village Greens at Rudmore Park and Kaynton Mead took place in May and June respectively and, we anticipate that the Inspector may make known his recommendations on all three Village Greens in the near future.
Newbridge Matters received support from the R2R Group for the Meadows Inquiry for which we are most grateful. We in turn supported the Rudmore Park and Kaynton Mead Inquiries.
As previously posted, any recommendations from the Inspector will be submitted to an appropriate committee of the Council, for it to accept or reject.
We will of course advise you further when the Inspector’s recommendations are received.
Appreciation
