Issue - meetings

The Cabinet agreed at its meeting in April that a new Transport Strategy be prepared for the City of Bath.  This report provides an update for the Panel on the work undertaken to take this decision forward.

The Group Manager for Planning Policy & Transport introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that a master plan is being prepared for co-ordinated growth within the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area and will be informed partly by the Bath Transport Strategy. He added that key to supporting this growth agenda was the need for a new, clear, innovative transport strategy to ensure that the City can compete in the 21st Century whilst respecting its World Heritage Status.

He said that in order to help develop a new transport strategy for Bath a tender was currently underway. He highlighted some of the areas of work that would be undertaken.

·  Assess the cumulative impact of developments with the Enterprise Area on the City’s transport network to 2029.

·  Identify key priority cycling routes and other aspects that will benefit the cyclist.

·  Identify key priorities for those on foot and any constraints for those who with mobility difficulties using the shop mobility services.

·  Review the Council’s emerging Parking Strategy and confirming whether or not the principles are sound within the context of the existing transport provision in the city and of the growth now promoted by the Core Strategy.  In particular advice on the size of any public car parking that might be retained in Avon Street following its redevelopment.

·  Review the previous work which assessed the demand for an east of Bath Park & Ride and review the conclusions of that work in the light of the proposed new development sites referred to above and the current commercial bus network.  This work should assess what capacity is required for current and future demand including the need for further expansion of existing P&R sites.

·  Assess the implications and opportunities that may arise from the electrification of GWR mainline.

David Redgewell, South West Transport Network addressed the Panel. He stated clearly his belief that the rural connectivity of public transport must not be cut and called for some areas of the Council to have access to public transport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

He also called for extra security regarding public transport, especially in the evenings, including CCTV cameras at smaller train stations.

He said that more low floor buses were required across the Council and that also there was not enough bus lane provision.

He asked for the Council to look further into the use of Hybrid / Electric buses and questioned whether the management of the Bath Bus Station could be streamlined.

Henry Brown, Chairman of the Federation of Bath Residents Association addressed the Panel. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book.

The Chair asked if the Panel would be able to see the draft detail of the strategy prior to publication and consultation.

The Group Manager for Planning Policy & Transport replied that he would welcome that.

Councillor David Martin commented that he felt the brief within the report was not explanatory enough regarding the work the consultants will have to carry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22

In September last year a conference was held in recognition of the need for a Bath Transport Strategy to support the Core Strategy and the Council’s economic development strategy.  The report outlines the work to date and the scope and timetable of the work for the strategy.

David Redgewell in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 19 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to ensure adequate consultation about the proposals.  Although he supported the proposals, he reminded Cabinet that bus usage was increasing and that more passengers were disabled.  He also wished to highlight the issue of high fares.

Councillor Roger Symonds observed that the thinking for this item had begun with a conference the previous September.  Although there had been limited stakeholder presence, the debate had been started.  The strategy was not about a few isolated streets, but was an integrated approach.  In moving the proposals, he observed that he was happy to support the commitment to approximately £140K of work in due course.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He welcomed the clear, deliverable strategy.

On a motion from Councillor Roger Symonds, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To SUPPORT the need for a Bath Transport Strategy as set out in the report; and

(2) To APPROVE funds of approximately £140,000 to complete this work in due course.