Got a problem with Public Transport in Bath and North East Somerset?

Do you have a grumble about Public Transport in Bath?

If so we want to know about it.

Although public transport is no longer under local authority control it is still important that your local council are kept aware of the problems which people face when trying to use public transport.

Councillor David Dixon (Lib Dem, Walcot) who also Chairs the Council's Planning Transportation Economy and Sustainability Overview and Scruntiny Panel would like to hear your concerns.

The website www.bathnestransport.blogspot.com has been launched by Cllr Dixon in order to act as a vehicle for residents to share their problems surrounding public transport.

Fed up with late buses? Fares too high? Buses too dirty? Please let us know about it! I will share these comments with the Planning, Transport, Economy and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel will also call for the companies which provide our public transport services to address these problems!

Cllr Dixon says, "To get a discussion item on the blog visitors must first email transport@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk and I will add this to the blog. Residents can then contribute to the discussion by adding a comment on the site. I hope that this can be used to an extent as evidence to give to operators and to be shared with my fellow councillors to highlight some of the issues which passengers have. Any praise for the services are also welcome and will be passed on."

Council is rated "Good" by Audit Commision

Bath & North East Somerset Council has been rated a three star council by independent inspectors who say it continues to deliver high standards of service and is continuing to improve.

The council has been rated as three stars (out of a possible four) against a set of central government standards referred to as 'the harder test' that were specifically designed to be far more stringent than in previous years.

Cllr David Dixon said: “For Bath & North East Somerset Council to achieve a three star score is an excellent result, particularly as the assessment has been made much tougher this year. This is a credit to all staff.”

The Audit Commission’s report highlights the Council’s achievements against community priorities such as education, recycling, affordable housing, support for older people, increasing the use of public transport as well as reducing the fear of crime.

Cllr Colin Darracott said: “This independent assessment shows that Bath & North East Somerset Council continues to deliver good services which are value for money. It also says that the Council is continuing to improve standards.”

Chilton Road to be resurfaced

The Council intends to carry out carriageway resurfacing and footway works along the length of Chilton Road. It is important that this work is undertaken to ensure that the carriageway remains safe and serviceable. Cllr David Dixon following calls from local residents has asked for several years for this to happen and hopes that residents will be equally as pleased.

The works are to be carried out as part of the Surfacing 2005/ 2006 – Urban Contract which is currently underway and is due to be completed in January 2006. Works will include carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing, footway resurfacing and the renewal of road markings.

In order to balance the requirements of road users, retailers and residents, and to ensure that delay and disruption is minimised, it is anticipated that the works will be carried out during the following times:

0900hrs – 1700hrs Monday to Friday

Every effort will be made to minimise the noise and disturbance for local residents and the Council’s contractor will be encouraged to complete the contract at the earliest possible date.

As soon as a firm date for the works at Chilton Road is agreed I will update.

Sydney Gardens Road Scheme

The new road scheme has been in for over a year now and councillors are still working with officers and with residents to alleviate some of the problems that this has brought with it. A meeting will be held on site with councillors, residents and officers to discuss some of the issues on Monday 12th December.
Councillor David Dixon has said, "The road scheme has so far been very much traffic orientated and somewhere along the line pedestrians have sadly been forgotten about. To cross from the Bathwick Estate to get to Great Pulteney Street, you have to use three seperate crossings and the layout is confusing for cars, cyclists and pedestrians. I hope that we can negotiate some solutions which would help all three." We would like your views at walcot@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk or by calling 01225 462590.

Loading Bay on the London Road

The decision to create a lorry loading bay outside of Walcot Terrace on the London Road have been met with stiff opposition. The bay sees part of the pavement and a section of cycle lane removed to make way for a convenient “Pull in” for lorries.

Liberal Democrat Councillor David Dixon has said, “My main concern is that the loading bay does not warrant spending any money on it when there are other things we should be spending money on. Thomas Street, just opposite is crying out to be resurfaced, but they are not doing anything about that.”

This decision was by the Conservatives who stated at a meeting to review the decision led by Cllr Dixon that this loading bay would be the first of many across the city.

This loading bay would make it possible for a 44 tonne lorry to come and park on resident’s vaults, some of which are their kitchens and bathrooms.

This will only make life easier for the through traffic on the London Road and sacrifices a dedicated cycle lane and valuable footway outside of a listed terrace.

Improved Street Lighting for Bedford Street

Eight new street lighting schemes are being installed across Bath and North East Somerset following requests from community groups, members of the public and the Police.

Working with the Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Community Safety and Street Lighting Teams assessed and prioritised lighting from an existing list of 70 street lighting requests and eight schemes were chosen for funding. All schemes were assessed against specific community safety criteria addressing factors such as anti-social behaviour, nuisance and disorder.

Included in this, is improved lighting for Bedford Street

Work on installing the new lighting is expected to be completed by early spring.

Cllr David Dixon said, “This partnership approach to help improve the environment is an excellent example of Bath & North East Somerset Council providing communities with projects that really make a difference to people’s lives. We propose to continue to work together to increase street lighting provision where it is most needed to help community safety”.

Improvements to the physical environment have a real impact on reducing crime and disorder. Street lighting in particular is a useful crime prevention tool helping to create safer and more secure environments for communities.

Casino Motion Passed by Council

Bath and North East Somerset Council passed a motion on Thursday 17th November asking that the Executive Member for Economic Development writes to the Government expressing an interest in locating a Casino in Bath.

A casino could bring with it an opportunity to develop new conference facilities and attract more visitors to the area.

Your local ward councillors Colin Darracott and David Dixon would like to know what you think of such a proposal.

New Lighting for the London Road

A scheme to provide new and improved lighting for the London Road has been drawn up and will be going out for consultation shortly.

The section of the London Road from Kensington Place to Lambridge is due to have street lights replaced. The new scheme has been designed to the new European Code for lighting and the opportunity taken to use a "white light" source. This will enable colours to be rendered at night which the current lighting does not do and will also make facial recognition much easier.

Cllr David Dixon welcomed the scheme stating, "The proposed scheme will contribute to a greater sense of well being at night, particularly when out walking. I am pleased that the proposed laterns are similar to those already installed in Cleveland Place and along the London Road as far as Kensington Place, the intention being to continue the style all along this route into the City."

The lanterns, being of a more modern design than the present fittings will provide better optical control in order to direct light onto the road and pavement and keep waste light output to a minimum.

Cllr Dixon has asked that officers send out a consultation document to residents, and would appreciate any feedback through www.walcot.blogspot.com or emailing walcot@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk

Southbourne Gardens Planning Application

UPDATE - A public meeting has been arranged by Claremont Residents' Association on Wednesday 7th November 2005 at 7pm at Claremont Methodist Church. Visit www.crass.org.uk for more information.

Local Councillors Dave Dixon and Colin Darracott are campaigning with residents against a planning application to build 12 houses on the former allotment land at Southbourne Gardens.
Although the application was rejected first time it is now up for appeal and Cllrs Dixon and
Darracott are continuing to oppose it.
Cllr David Dixon said, “This is an important piece of open space and I have been working
with Bath and North East Somerset Allotments Association and local residents to look at how we get it back into public use.

Roadworks due in Walcot Ward

Follow this link for information of when and where roadworks - including maintenance works and resurfacing is taking place in the ward.

If you experience any problems during these works please do not hesitate to contact me on 01225 462590 or walcot@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk

Support our local pub

The King William on Thomas Street has been shortlisted in The Bath Chronicle's Pub of the Year 2005 competition.

Congratulations to Charlie and Amanda for all their efforts in making the King William a fantastic place to meet people and have a drink or bite to eat.

If you would like to vote for the King William as Bath's Pub of the Year please follow this link.

Friends of Kensington Meadows

The first meeting of the Friends of Kensington Meadows took place on Saturday 24th September.

An excellent afternoon was had by all who attended the first meeting and activities of the Friends fo Kensington Meadows.

We started opening up a pathway within the Local Nature Reserve section so there can be a circular walk and we have two further sessions with BTCV available for Kensington Meadows so we can continue with it then. If the pathway is used and turns out to be wanted by users, we can get wood/bark chippings from the Parks department to lay over the cleared pathway as a mid-term surface and consider more a permanent surface for the future (something a new group could fundraise for - though improving entrances, litter bin at Morrison's and benches/picnic tables will be other items people are keen on). We were also litter picking, green waste clearance - where grass cuttings and other green waste have started to accumulate at either end - and had a guided walk by and ecology officer.

Deborah Jones has taken away ideas from the day and it is hoped that further events will take place on the meadows.

Highways Issues in Walcot

Arundel Road
Highways Officers are currently drawing up plans to introduce Double Yellow Lines opposite the garages on Arundel Road in order to make life easier and safer for those using the garages and pulling out of their driveways opposite.

Frankley Buildings
I have noted and reported the potholes on this very steep slope.

Residents’ Parking Scheme – Bathwick
Thank you to all residents who have contributed during the recent consultations. These plans are currently with the Council’s legal department who will issue a Traffic Regulation Order for the scheme. I have the details as a .pdf file if anyone would like it sent to them.

Thomas Street and Pera Road Area
Plans have been drawn up to introduced parking restrictions along Pera Road, Pera Place and at the top of Gays Hills to assist with access to these areas. We are still awaiting responses for Residents Parking Plans for which a questionnaire went to all houses last month. Ecehelon Parking may not work on Thomas Street as in order to mark out bays the Council has to give 2.8m x 5m per bay. There is not a problem if residents would like to set up an informal arrangement on Thomas Street to echelon park. I would recommend that this is on the west side of the street. Still trying to get funding to resurface Thomas Street.

Snow Hill
Plans are being tweaked to include new parking restriction which were drawn up in consultation with Somer Housing and local residents. We will also be looking at parking restrictions at the junction of Snow Hill with Kensington Gardens to improve access and visibility.

Chilton Road
Chilton Road is due to be resurfaced in October. This road has been in a particularly bad state for many years and this resurfacing is long overdue.

Licensing applications

Please be aware of pubs, takeaways and off licenses making new licensing applications.

Notices will appear in the windows of the premises and in the Notices section of the Bath Chronicle. You can also follow this link to view all license applications that have been recieved so far by the Council. If you need any help in finding out more about a particular application please feel free to contact me on 01225 462590 or daviddixon@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk.

Wall at Mezellion Place

Councillor David Dixon has inspected the wall at Mezellion Place on Camden Road and has asked building control to inspect and repair the wall as needed.

The wall is currently in a poor state of repair and Somer Housing who are responsible for it’s upkeep will send someone from the Repairs Team to investigate.