Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Communities, Transport and Environment Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel will be undertaking an open public scrutiny day on the 22nd of March in the Banqueting Room at The Guildhall.
The London Road in Bath regularly becomes heavily congested. © Google
The Banqueting Room will be open to the public from 10:00am – 4:30pm.
This will be an opportunity for the public alongside key partners, and professionals to consider existing information and work collaboratively in identifying alternative wider integrated transport solutions for the east of Bath area.
The day will focus on:
- Understanding the implications of the Bath Transport Strategy with regard to transport from the East of Bath;
- Having a clear understanding of the current transport strategy and analysis undertaken on Baths Park & Rides.
- Listening to best practice examples and consider the advantages and disadvantages of different options;
- Collectively developing a range of integrated transport options, prior to a report being presented to Cabinet for consideration
The day will not be reviewing only whether there should be a Park & Ride to the East of Bath but also wider integrated transport solutions for the area.
Cllr John Bull (Labour, Paulton), Chair of the Panel, said, the purpose of the day, will be to work collaboratively to develop alternative integrated transport solutions.
He said: “As well as interesting guest speakers, there will be an opportunity to understand what work has already been achieved both within Bath and North East Somerset and around the country.
“We will also be holding workshops during the afternoon session where people can share their views on what they consider integrated transport is and to work together to prioritise a range of possible options and models for the East of Bath and we look forward to working closely with the community on developing these ideas.”
Members of the public, also have the opportunity to submit any statements in advance of the Scrutiny day (with written submissions at least 5 days before the event to try to avoid duplication and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage).
These statements will be supplied as part of the briefing pack/papers on the Scrutiny Inquiry Day.
Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Dine Romero (Southdown), commented: “I am very concerned that this committee review process is being limited to one working day.
“Six and a half hours is not long enough to cover all the issues in any meaningful way.”
“We have already raised these concerns with the Chairman of the committee – Councillor John Bull – and we are calling for the scrutiny process to be extended to a series of meetings, to ensure that every angle can be considered fully.”
“Clarification is also needed as to the role of the local development framework steering group in this process. Whose guidance will the Conservatives follow – if any?”
Bathavon North Councillor, Alison Millar (Lib Dem), added: “Residents will rightly be suspicious that, with this extremely brief scrutiny process, the Conservative Cabinet is merely paying lip service to looking at alternative solutions to transport issues here in the east.
“My fear is that this will be seen as nothing more than a hoop to be jumped through before they continue with their original plan to concrete over Bathampton Meadows.”
“Ideally I would like to hear Tim Warren make a clear commitment to leaving the meadows alone and to working with the local community to find possible solutions.
“It is good that he is visiting Batheaston on Monday to listen to presentations by local people. I hope these are taken seriously and I am very much looking forward to hearing their ideas.”
For more information about the agenda and day itself, people can contact the Policy Development and Scrutiny Team on 01225 396053 or email [email protected].
Written submissions can also be made by post to:
Policy Development & Scrutiny
Strategy & Performance
The Guildhall
High Street
Bath
BA1 5AW
