Agenda item

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel on the matter of road works and signage in Radstock and disability access. She also spoke of the huge amount of potholes in the area.

She informed the panel that three signs were in place for the A362 and that one sign near to the Fosseway Press was simply a sign to a dead end. She spoke of the hazards that signs were causing by being placed in the middle of the pavement and stated that some had been placed in flowerbeds of the Co-op without prior permission.

She explained that a local elderly man was finding it difficult to move around the area due to the lack of kerbs and water mains that have not been properly sealed.

She expressed her concerns over the proposed TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders) for Saw Close, Bath for a cycle contraflow. She asked that the Guide Dogs for the Blind be consulted on the matter, a Disability Access Audit be undertaken and that the works be monitored effectively.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, Cabinet Member for Transport replied that £417,000 was spent on repairing pot holes last year and that a similar amount was in this year’s budget. She added that she was sure that agencies for the Blind had been consulted regarding Saw Close.

The Group Manager for Highways and Traffic confirmed that the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) had been consulted over the proposals for Saw Close. He added that he would be happy to ask an officer to liaise directly with Councillor Jackson on her concerns.

The Chair asked that the Panel be updated on these matters in June / July.

Mr David Redgewell addressed the Panel. He commented that all Councils have a duty under the Equalities Act 2010 and that he felt that the Council should have its own Equalities Panel. He added that in his opinion through discussions relating to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) that B&NES was lacking on equalities input.

He stated that the bus stops adjacent to Keynsham Railway Station should not be moved simply because of the wishes of the developer of the Somerdale site.

He was pleased to report that Somerset County Council now planned no cuts to their bus services.

He said that a capacity issue was raised at the weekend while the Bath Half Marathon was taking place. He said that members of the public in Keynsham, Saltford, Kelston & Bitton had reported a lack of normal services.

He said that the cleaning of the Bath Bus Station still remained an issue and that the gull bins on site were due to be removed. He informed the Panel that the rent for the café had been dropped to £15,000 per year in the hope of being able to have the site occupied.

He stated that he felt very strongly that the Council should be involved in any discussions on rail devolution for the Greater Bristol & Bath area.

The Chair replied by saying that she felt that equalities should be considered in all matters of projects and policies.

Councillor Lisa Brett said that she would be against a separate Equalities Panel as it should be considered in every aspect of our work.

The Group Manager for Highways and Traffic said that he would pass on Mr Redgewell’s comments to officers.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, Cabinet Member for Transport replied that she would be speaking with First later in the day and would raise these matters. She added that within all Council reports an equalities section was present.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson suggested that following the elections the Chairs & Vice-Chairs meet to discuss whether one Panel should have equalities included within its remit.

The Chair thanked them both for their statements on behalf of the Panel.