Ben Howlett, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bath, has come out against the proposed cable car from Bath’s city centre to Mulberry Park in Foxhill.
Mr Howlett says he has received a huge volume of correspondence from concerned residents about the proposed scheme and is able to speak out against it now Parliament has dissolved for the general Election, as he is no longer in a quasi-judicial position.
Speaking about his opposition, he said: “I have taken the time to study the proposed aerial tramway scheme and have come to the decision that it is not the right solution for Bath’s transport problems.
“While I have also welcomed innovative solutions to Bath’s transport and air pollution problems, arguments presented by Curo have not persuaded me that this is a logical route for the proposed scheme and it does not have a strong business case to back it up.
“Other similar cable car schemes in the UK have not been successful in reducing traffic yet have had a negative visual impact on the surroundings and the privacy of residents which it passes over.
“I will be fighting this General Election on a renewed commitment to ‘Stop Bath Stalling’ and will help lobby for proposals which I feel will go some way in doing this such as looking at other innovative transport solutions like adding bike racks to the front of buses.
“Bath is likely to become the first pilot scheme in the country to deliver this project following years of lobbying by myself and campaigners in Bath. Unfortunately I am not convinced that this scheme will.
“Other schemes such as improved walking, cycling and bus routes would do a lot more to both help celebrate the Combe Down, Mulberry Park and Foxhill communities and I urge Curo to focus on these ideas instead.
“I would still urge everyone to respond to the consultation Curo are currently running as this is the way to have your voice heard.”
It was announced last week that Curo’s ongoing South Bath Transport Options public consultation has been temporarily paused due to the decision to hold a general election in early June.
Curo is expected to resume publicity from 9th June and will extend the public consultation period so that it closes on Friday 16th June.
