Agenda

This will be an opportunity to hear from WECA about Transport Planning along the A4 corridor between Bath and Bristol.

Phil Wright - Public Transport Programme Manager, West of England Combined Authority (WECA) will be presenting to the forum and dealing with any queries that they may arise.

Key Route Networks – devolution of powers - government consultation

We would like to make you aware of a Government (Department of Transport) consultation currently taking place on Key Route Networks and the devolution of more powers and responsibilities for locally important roads to metro mayors and their combined authorities.  The proposals include:

·  providing mayors with additional highway management powers

·  providing mayors with sole or concurrent highway powers over the KRN

·  giving mayoral combined authorities the ability to delegate highway powers to local authorities

·  providing mayors with the power to direct a local authority to deliver schemes agreed in their local transport plan

·  giving mayors or constituent local authorities the ability to request responsibility for a route by order of the Transport Secretary

This consultation closes on 24 September 2021 and you can access through the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/key-route-networks-devolving-more-powers-and-responsibilities-for-locally-important-roads-to-metro-mayors-and-their-combined-authorities

A map produced by WECA of Key Network Routes in this area can be found through the link below:

https://westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s691/14b%20KRN%20network%20plan%20final.pdf

An updated from the Council’s planning policy team on The Local Plan Partial Update/Supplementary Planning Documents consultation. 

This update will also include one of the SPD’s is the draft proposals on HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupancy).

Kaoru Jacques - Principal Planning Officer, Planning Policy (Planning) will be present to hear your questions and comments.

After a long interval with no new streets to name, I have some names for Bath Area Forum to consider for the Bath Quays South development.

1. The new road leading off Riverside Road and running between the river and Newark Works. Project delivery have suggested two possible names: Bath Quay and Foundry Lane, both references to the former industrial uses of the site.

2. The new bridge, already built, from this site across the river to the north bank. Project Delivery has not suggested any names, but I understand that the ward councillors have suggested Bayer Bridge, after the adjacent former Bayer corset factory. The design of the bridge with its curves and straight bracing pieces is a bit reminiscent of a corset!

We welcome the views of the forum on these names, including any reasons against which we might not be aware of, and they are also very welcome to suggest alternatives that might be suitable. All suggestions will go to the executive member for street naming (Cllr Wood) for a final decision.