Issue - meetings

The Council on 12th November 2015 resolved in relation to the east of Bath Park and Ride proposal to:

Call for the Communities, Transport and Environment Policy Development & Scrutiny   Panel to undertake an open and transparent public scrutiny, examining a wide range of   integrated transport solutions for the east of Bath; and

Ask that the cross-party Local Development Framework Steering Group review all the options for the location of an east of Bath Park & Ride prior to Cabinet selecting a   preferred site early next year, giving due consideration to the following:

•  responses received to the east of Bath Park& Ride consultation;

•  feasibility and deliverability of each site option;

•  costs associated with each site option;

•  transport benefits of each site option; and

•  visual impact of each site option.

It is recommended that Cabinet note the reports outlining the findings and conclusions from the Communities, Transport and Environment Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel Inquiry Day and the sites review undertaken by the LDF Steering Group; in order to help their deliberations in determining the recommended solution to the transport issues to the east of Bath.

The Chair informed the meeting that he would first invite registered speakers to address the Cabinet.  Councillor John Bull would then address the Cabinet as the CTE PDS Panel Chair. 

Barry Henderson, Secretary of the Federation of Bath Residents' Associations, read out a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council's website] where he said that FOBRA had welcomed the integrated transport solution achieved in the Bath Transport Strategy, which was agreed by all parties on the Council in November 2014 and endorsed by the results of the general and local elections a year ago.  There was a need for eastern Park and Ride which may not be the most important part but was an essential part of the overall Strategy, and FOBRA asked the Cabinet to press ahead with it.

Andrew Lea said that the Cabinet should make a decision by taking into consideration correct information provided by their officers.  However, according to Andrew Lea, officers had used an out of date data and had not acknowledge that capacity of existing Park and Rides were only at its highest due to predictable events.  Andrew Lea added that Transport department had overlooked revised guidance by DEFRA and concluded that the Cabinet has moral and legal requirement to make their decision against Park and Ride east of Bath.

Annie Kilvington said that the Council had misinterpreted the law related to air quality management and added that planning department cannot accept an application if an emission exceeds legal limits.  Annie Kilvington also said that the Council had not used data submitted by the Bathampton Meadows Alliance (Alliance) and urged the Cabinet to reject east of Bath Park and Ride report.

Tim Williams said that reports presented to the Cabinet had had omissions and shortcomings.  Tim Williams also said that Park and Ride east of Bath had not been decided and that many towns and cities were moving away from Park and Ride concept.  Tim Williams concluded his statement by saying that single Scrutiny Inquiry Day on the subject of Park and Ride was not enough and held at inconvenient time, and the report had failed to mention quite few important issues, including evidence from Alliance. Tim Williams asked the Cabinet to consider those issues before making their decision on the Park and Ride.

Christine Boyd said that report from the Local Development Framework (LDF) group had showed that the Park and Ride was unaffordable, taking into consideration that the whole project would cost the Council £12m.  Christine Boyd also said that this would be poor value for money and it would take only 5% of traffic from London Road.  Christine Boyd also commented that the Council had used out of date evidence and urged the Cabinet to make reasonable decision on this matter.

Nicolette Boater read out a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council's website].

Councillor Dine Romero said that she  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101