Issue - meetings

A new Transport Strategy for Bath was approved by Cabinet for consultation in May 2014.  The Strategy has been well received and supported by the majority of those who responded and is now recommended for Adoption by Council.

The Council considered the new Transport Strategy for Bath which was approved by Cabinet on 12^th November.  Prior to the debate, statements were made by the following people;

Patrick Rotheram made a statement on behalf of the Federation of Bath Residents' Associations highlighting the traffic problems and air pollution issues that Bath experienced and urging Councillors to adopt the strategy.  A full copy of the statement is linked to the online minutes and has been placed on the Council’s minute book.  In response to a question from Councillor John Bull enquiring whether Mr Rotheram considered enough had been done in the last four years, particularly in view of the fact that the Park & Ride on the east of Bath had not gone ahead.  Mr Rotheram responded that it had been disappointing, but he welcomed that an alternative was included in the strategy. The Chairman thanked Mr Rotheram for his statement.

Professor Donald Thomas made a statement raising the health problems associated with traffic pollution, a copy of which is linked to the online minutes and has been placed on the Council’s minute book.  The Chairman thanked Professor Thomas for his statement.

Ian Perkins addressed the Council on behalf of the City Centre Action group, which comprises 3 central residents’ associations.  They supported the principles of the strategy, particularly the reduction in cars and the eastern Park & Ride.  However, they were concerned about air quality in the city centre and stressed the need for proper management of coaches and parking.  The Chairman thanked Mr Perkins for his statement.

Sally Rothwell, also from the City Centre Action group addressed the Council about 2 specific issues: too few residents’ parking spaces in the city centre, an issue that they had been trying to address for over a decade.  She also urged the Council to adopt an all year round coach management plan to minimise the damage being done to the city centre.  The Chairman thanked Ms Rothwell for her statement.

On a motion from Councillor Caroline Roberts, seconded by Councillor Lisa Brett, it was

RESOLVED to adopt the Getting Around Bath Transport Strategy, as approved at Cabinet on 12^th November 2014.

[Note – The above resolution was passed with all Councillors voting in favour except for Councillor Vic Pritchard who abstained.]

Cabinet will be asked to approve the strategy following public consultation and to recommend to Council that it be adopted

Robin Kerr (Chairman, Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] made a number of points relating to traffic congestion and air pollution and supported the rapid implementation of the strategy which he said was vital and long-awaited.

Adam Reynolds (Chair, Cycle Bath) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council's website] appealed to the Cabinet to invest £10 per head of population into cycling on a yearly basis.

Councillor David Dixon asked Adam Reynolds why he had suggested £10 per head.  Adam said he felt that £10 would be a starting point but that Bristol invested £16 per head per year.

Councillor David Bellotti asked Adam Reynolds whether he knew the sum of the Council’s investments in cycling in the last year had in fact been more than £10 per head.  Adam said he had hoped for a commitment to annual investment, not for a single year.  Councillor Bellotti asked whether Adam was aware that the Cabinet could not commit to expenditure under future administrations and Adam acknowledged that he had not been aware of that.

Councillor Tim Ball asked Adam Reynolds whether he felt that all cyclists should undertake training.  Adam acknowledged that there were some bad cyclists, as there were some bad motorists.

Professor Donald Thomas (Greenway Residents Association) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 9 and on the Council's website] urging greater emphasis on pollution in residential areas.

Steve Bradley (Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Bath) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 10 and on the Council's website] urged the Cabinet to pursue the Park and Ride proposal for the east of Bath; to make progress on the options available for relief for the east of Bath; and to continue its commitment to the MetroWest project.

Councillor Anthony Clarke in an ad hoc statement expressed disappointment that only a limited area was being covered by the proposals and asked that they be seen as the first of a number of building blocks.

Councillor Caroline Roberts moved the proposals.  She referred to the Transport strategy which had been held in 2013; the Planning, Transport and Environment PDS Panel had scrutinised the Plan; the Local Development Forum steering group had given it cross-party consideration; and now the Cabinet was being asked to recommend the Plan to Council for adoption.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He felt it was an exciting Plan with a wide consensus of agreement.  He had been particularly impressed by the comments made by Professor Donald on air quality.  He also welcomed the challenge made by Adam Reynolds over the issue of cycling provision.

Councillor Crossley emphasised that the MetroWest project would be key to delivery of the Strategy and he was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90