Issue - meetings

To consider the modifications required to the advertised Traffic Regulation Orders required for the proposed Radstock Regeneration and Highway Improvement Scheme in conjunction with the Norton Radstock Regeneration Project to be implemented, and either agree, modify or remove some of the proposed elements following further public consultation on the revised proposal.

The scheme is dependent on securing HCA capital grant of £800k, which will be put at risk if the scheme is delayed beyond the current programme to let the highway works contract by the end of March 2012.

Lesley Mansell (Chair, Radstock Town Council) made a statement supporting the proposals and asking for prompt implementation.  She said there was a huge majority in favour of the infrastructure improvements.  She acknowledged that there were concerns about accessible parking for disabled drivers, and asked the Cabinet to address these issues.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 3 and on the Council's website] in which she thanked the Cabinet for listening to the points made in previous consultations on the issue.  She appreciated the effort put into consulting with local people.  She felt that the NRR scheme had been better than the original proposals made in 1981, and that the current proposals were better than the NRR scheme.  She still felt that it would be best to drop the proposals altogether, which would save the Council money and would avoid the disruption which the proposals would inevitably inflict upon the town.  She expressed support however for the speed limit proposals; the weight limit proposals; and the increased disabled parking being proposed.  She asked for a condition to be added to the TRO – that adequate temporary parking facilities be provided during the works, so that traders would not lose business as a result of the disruption.

Amanda Leon (Radstock Action Group) made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] in which she asked a number of questions which she said Cabinet had never answered.  She therefore appealed to the Cabinet not to proceed with the scheme.

Gary Dando (Radstock Action Group) made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] in which he appealed to the Cabinet not to proceed with the scheme.  He outlined three areas for concern which he felt must be addressed before the scheme could be reconsidered.

Cate Le Grice Mack (Chair, Norton Radstock Regeneration Company) made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council's website] in which she welcomed the proposals and said that she felt they would improve air quality in the town.

George Bailey (Radstock Action Group) made a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council's website] in which he expressed concern about the proposals for The Street; asked Cabinet to ensure the future of a rail link in the town; and raised a number of other objections.  He asked Cabinet to cancel the proposals.

Catherine Whybrow made a personal statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council's website] welcoming the proposals which she said were essential to the town before regeneration could take place and which she felt would lead to a lively and safe town centre.

Heather  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133