Agenda item

Robin Kerr, Federation of Bath Residents Association has requested to address the Panel relating to Agenda Item 10.

Councillor Nathan Hartley has requested to address the Panel relating to Agenda Item 11.

David Redgewell has requested to address the Panel.

David Redgewell addressed the Panel regarding Agenda Items 9 & 10. A copy of his statements can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book and online as an appendix to these minutes.

He spoke of the need for further frequency of buses across the region and reliability. He also urged the Council embark on fleet enhancement and to use Government funding to achieve this. He stated that he believed the public expected at the very least now comfortable seating and on board Wi-Fi.

He raised the matter of gaining access to the rail network to the Panel. He said that the ramp at Keynsham Station was near to completion, but that there were a range of equalities issues at other stations. He suggested that the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) be approached to help with this matter.

He also wished to draw to the attention of the Panel the problem of graffiti at train stations and the lack of CCTV at Keynsham & Oldfield Park.

He stated that low floor buses were currently not being used some routes in the Chew Valley area and that this must be addressed as soon as possible.

He said that with Keynsham about to grow in many ways it was important that its bus network be addressed and that more services should stop at the rail station.

He stated that he felt Bath would always be congested in some way and that the Council needed to address solutions in the East of Bath. He highlighted the modal shift success of Oxford.

He said that potential funds would be lost if Ministers are unsure of our plans locally and regionally.

The Chair suggested that the Panel look at buses more generally in January.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if it was it dependent on the Council or First to apply for funding to improve buses.

David Redgwell replied that Bristol City Council applied to the Better Bus Partnership and received funding to upgrade 400 vehicles.

Councillor Les Kew asked if an officer was available to comment on the non-compliance of low floor vehicles and graffiti at rail stations.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services replied that he was not able to answer the question, but would source the information for the Panel.

David Redgewell commented that he would be happy to meet with the Transport Police, Network Rail and First Great Western to resolve the matter of CCTV at stations.

Councillor Nathan Hartley addressed the Panel relating to Agenda Item 11.

He said that prior to the meeting he had issued the Panel with his latest press release regarding parking in Peasedown and information on the survey that had been carried out.

He informed the Panel that a huge amount of growth had recently taken place in Peasedown, but that had not been matched by the increase in amenities and services. He highlighted that parking in the centre of the village was a particular problem.

He explained that around 12 months ago a Community Conversation event was held to discuss the matter with contributions received from the Parish Council, local schools and the football club amongst others. Following this event a survey of all residents has been conducted to gain their views. 300 responses were received and the option of proposing to build a new car park near the Primary School proved to be the most popular.

He asked that the Panel consider the results of the survey in their Medium Term Plan discussions and highlighted three points he would like to be incorporated.

·  Funding for the new car park (£70,000)

·  Traffic Enforcement in the Somer Valley – Additional wardens

·  Roundabout at the southern end of Peasedown – a previous 1,000 signature had been submitted to the Council.

The Chair reminded Councillor Hartley that following his comments the onus was on him to find the funds for these projects to gain acceptance as the budget discussion moves forward.