The South Western Ambulance Service has apologised after it gave incorrect information in a Freedom of Information request on traffic schemes implemented by B&NES Council.
Photo © SWASFT
Earlier this year, a member of the public questioned whether the ambulance service had been consulted with by the local authority on plans to create cycle lanes along the Upper Bristol Road in Bath, and the introduction of trial low-traffic neighbourhoods in the wider area.
A response in May from the ambulance service incorrectly said that it was not aware of the proposals and had “not been engaged on the plans”.
Concerns were raised over the potential for delays to emergency vehicles travelling along the Upper Bristol Road, with segregated cycle lanes meaning drivers were less able to pull over to the side of the road to let them pass.
The South Western Ambulance Service has now said the local authority did consult with them ahead of the works, and has apologised to the council and the member of public who submitted the FOI request.
Councillor Manda Rigby, Transport spokesperson for the Bath & North East Somerset Council Liberal Democrat administration, said: “Incorrect claims are being made that Bath & North East Somerset Council did not consult with the South West Ambulance Service Trust on road schemes – specifically the Upper Bristol Road cycle scheme and the Southlands through-traffic restriction trial, which form part of our Liveable Neighbourhood programme.
“These claims are untrue but are being widely shared on social media and through other outlets.
“I want to make clear that as a statutory consulted, the ambulance service is always consulted on highways schemes as are the other emergency services where the proposal might affect emergency services.
“For the record, the council wrote to SWAST twice in early 2021 on its proposals for cycle schemes including the Upper Bristol Road. It drew particular attention to the plans for separating the cycle lanes from other traffic lanes.
“In response SWAST offered no direct objections and in fact highlighted there were alternative areas for their vehicles to pull over.
“In relation to the trial at Southlands, SWAST was sent information and invited to comment on the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for this trial scheme last November.
“Regrettably these facts were not provided by SWAST in its response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to a member of the public who is now sharing this incorrect response.
“SWAST has acknowledged this and are planning to issue a correction directly to the person who submitted the FOI request.”
A spokesperson from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm that the information provided as part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding consultation by Bath and North East Somerset Council was incorrect, and the council did consult with us on the forementioned schemes.
“We would like to offer our sincere apology to Bath & North East Somerset Council and to the member of the public who submitted the FOI request.”
