Newbridge Matters was asked by Radio Bristol to comment on the postponement of the Public Inquiries in connection with a piece to be broadcast on Tuesday 15th June in the Breakfast Show.
Below is a copy of the statement.
Public Inquiries into the Compulsory Purchase of Land and Stopping Up of Public Footpath Orders.
"We are delighted that the Public Inquiries have been postponed as we consider them to be quite premature until the Government's spending review has been carried out in the autumn.
"We are however continuing to prepare our case for any future Public Inquiries.
"We have tried to persuade the Council to withdraw these Public Inquiries to be held into the compulsory purchase of land and stopping up of Public Footpaths in order for them to carry out their Bath Rapid Transit [BRT] scheme as part of the Bath Transport Package [BTP.] The decision to postpone them has now been taken out of their hands by the Government.
"The BRT scheme includes the expansion of the existing Park and Ride car park onto the Newbridge Meadows, an area scheduled as Green Belt, Nature Conservation, Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the World Heritage City boundary.
"We have for some years now tried to persuade the Council that their proposals are not the solution to Bath's traffic congestion problems and, that alternative sites should be investigated, together with the omission of the proposed New Road through private gardens and on the site of the old LMS railway line in Newbridge.
"We hope that with the postponement of the Public Inquiries, the Council will take this opportunity to review their proposals so that if the Department for Transport makes any Grant Money available, they will implement a scheme that will satisfy all concerned.
"Meanwhile a proposal has been submitted to the Council for the Newbridge Meadows to be granted Village Green status, which if granted would protect the Meadows from any future development and allow this and future generations to enjoy the environment of the area as they have done for very many years.
"Notice of the application was published in the local press on 20th May 2010 and the closing date for any objections is 19th July 2010. We are also looking for letters of support from anyone wishing to preserve this area for evermore.
"In addition to the Newbridge Meadows site,Village Green Registration applications have also been made for areas of land on the line of the proposed New Road in order that they may be preserved.
For a considerable number of years these areas of land have been used by residents and visitors to enjoy the environment by way of dog walking, nature pursuits and many out of doors activities actively undertaken by children and adults.
Areas of land such as these which are easily accessed for the above pursuits are fast disappearing from the City of Bath and every effort must be made for them to be retained for this and future generations.
"His Royal Highness Prince William, the Queen’s Grandson, has recently announced he is setting up a campaign to protect Playing Fields for this and future generations, as a way of honouring the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee of 60 years on the throne. Playing fields would be known as ‘Queen Elizabeth Fields.’
"The Council would we feel sure be pleased to be known to have agreed to these areas of land being protected for ever as areas for play, relaxation and study and for them to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth Fields.’"
For those who missed the broadcast, please click on the link below -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00881w9/Breakfast_With_Steve_Le_Fevre_15_06_2010/
It is a 3 hour broadcast, and you will find the piece at 2:39:00:
