Agenda item

Councillors and members of the public may register their intention to make a statement if they notify the subject matter of their statement before the deadline.  Statements are limited to 3 minutes each.  The speaker may then be asked by Cabinet members to answer factual questions arising out of their statement.

David Redgewell gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where he expressed his concerns over the proposals to charge Buses, taxis and HGV’s as part of an air quality zone.

Chris Beezley (Chairman of Beech Avenue Residents’ Association) gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where he said that recommendations in the report represented a pragmatic and balanced solution that would deliver the required air quality to Bath and in a manner that would minimise the detrimental effect on residents and businesses.

Malcolm Baldwin gave a statement where he said that 1 in 6 diseases were caused by air pollution.  Air pollution in Bath was having a detrimental effect on the population, especially due to Bath’s geographical position.  Malcom Baldwin suggested that air pollution would increase if no action takes place, and invited the Cabinet to consider adding some elements of the charging Class D CAZ into the final proposals.

Patrick Rotheram (Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations - FOBRA) gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where he said that FOBRA welcomed the extensions of the CAZ boundary and traffic management of the Gay Street and Walcot parade though they expressed their concerns that traffic lights at Queen Square would increase congestion and air pollution.

Christine Harrington gave a statement where she said that Upper Sydney Place residents have been reassured with the proposal by the Cabinet to implement charging Class C CAZ.  This would reduce the pollution; protect heritage buildings in the city, with less impact on business and residents than charging Class D CAZ would have.  Christine Harrington suggested that appropriate signage along A36 should be considered.

Ceris Humphreys (Pulteney Estate Residents Association) gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where she said that association felt that Class D CAZ with an exemption period for local people should merit more serious consideration. It would mitigate the affordability effect on BANES residents whilst generating revenue from non-residents to fund the mitigation measures.

Richard Luetchford gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where he said that two options would be considered today, both based on the concept of a vehicle-charging CAZ, though there was evidence emerging from elsewhere in the UK which suggested that these were not the right solutions for Bath.

Catherine Mack (Chair of the Bus Users Group) gave a statement (attached as Appendix to these minutes and available on Council’s website) where she said that proposed imposition of the congestion charge on buses but not cars was a serious error of judgement which would penalise those who cannot afford to buy a car, and invited the Council to work with our public transport providers rather than penalising them.

Steve Moss, taxi owner, gave a statement where he expressed his concerns that the proposal by the Cabinet to implement charging Class C CAZ would have negative financial impact on his business in terms of replacing vehicles which were not compliant with the proposal.

Councillor Will Sandry gave a statement where he did not object to the report as such though he felt that the recommendations/proposals should have been bold and should be in line with the charging Class D CAZ. Councillor Sandry also said that future generations would look back with dismay at these proposals.

Councillor Dine Romero gave a statement where she acknowledged the hard work that the officers put in the report, although she felt that the recommendations were not strong enough.  Councillor Romero felt that the consultation has been focused on the charging Class D CAZ.  Councillor Romero also added that some parts of the city have had an increase in nitrogen dioxideover the last period. Councillor Romero also said that the Council would miss an opportunity to change drivers’ behaviours and tackle congestion in the city.

Councillor Dine Romero read out a statement from Councillor Richard Samuel who asked the Council to conduct an independent review of the data and modelling of the proposals, to determine whether other measures would prove to be more effective.

Councillor Anthony Clarke said that pollution levels in Bath had gone down.  Councillor Clarke felt that charging Class C CAZ, as proposed to the Cabinet, would provide the same results as Class D CAZ.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones congratulated the Cabinet on getting the reasonable resolution after over 8,400 people responded to the consultation.  Councillor Anketell-Jones also said that car charging policy would be unfair for people to pay, especially those who would not be able to afford it.  Councillor Anketell-Jones suggested that the top of Board Street had been seen as pollution hotspot and invited the Cabinet to consider a bus gate at the top of Milsom Street to tackle air pollution in that part of the city. 

Councillor Rob Appleyard said if it's cheaper for a family to pay £9 a day and pay to park than for them to get on the bus, then there was something wrong with the model.  Councillor Appleyard also said that the Council would need to have meaningful conversation with bus companies and school transport over these proposals.

Councillor Shaun McGall welcomed that the Cabinet would consider setting up measures to combat air pollution in the city.  Councillor McGall felt that the Council should have been bold and suggest stronger recommendations/proposals for the benefit of future generations. 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson said that air quality in Westfield and Radstock was also quite bad and suggested that pollution charges should be devoted to bus subsidy in the area.  Councillor Jackson also suggested that buses and coaches passing through Bath should have an automatic engine switch off when in idle state.

Councillor Tim Ball said it should have been much better to address the clean air concerns across the whole of the West of England, such as Temple Cloud and Whitchurch, and not just Bath. Councillor Ball also said that Bristol has been looking into bringing in Clean Air Zone plan.

Councillor Alison Millar said that a lot of traffic has been generated in Bathampton and expressed her concerns that vehicles, such as vans, would cut through residential areas to reach their destination.  Councillor Millar urged the Cabinet to tackle  school run arrangements which generate a high volume of traffic. 

Councillor Neil Butters said that the Council should encourage people to use Park and Ride instead of cars.  Councillor Butters welcomed the extension of opening hours for the Park and Ride.