This week's planning applications submitted

Ward: Walcot App Ref: 06/01211/FUL

Parish:

Registered: 30/03/2006 Expiry Date: 25/05/2006

Location: 26 Thomas Street Walcot Bath BA1 5NN

Grid Reference: 375276 165837

Proposal: Single-storey rear extension

Case Helen McCabe

Applicant: Emma Bristow Agent Name:

Applicant 26 Thomas Street Agent

Walcot Agent

Bath

BA1 5NN

Ward: Walcot App Ref: 06/01205/FUL

Parish:

Registered: 29/03/2006 Expiry Date: 24/05/2006

Location: Garden Flat 3 Beckford Road Bathwick Bath BA2 6NH

Grid Reference: 375737 165436

Proposal: Single-storey rear extension

Case Andrew Ross

Applicant: C/O Agent Agent Name: SR Architects Ltd

Applicant Agent 6 Riverside Court

Lower Bristol Road

Bath

BA2 3DZ

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Rooting for Tree Lined Avenues to be Restored

A Campaign is under way to reintroduce tree-lined avenues in Bathwick. There are now gaps in the trees that line many of the streets in the area. It is thought that 27 trees are missing on the Bathwick Estate, with Powlett Road and Forrester Roads suffering along with Forrester Avenue, where there are 12 trees missing.
It is believed that many of the trees have been removed over the years, either during maintenance work or after being hit by cars. Cllr David Dixon, who represents Walcot ward on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said he was keen to see work take place."It is quite important to maintain these trees," he said. "I have asked the council what is going to happen and we are working to get them replaced."I am hoping for some good news on it later in the week. The trees make up the street scene and make it a nicer place to be."The Bathwick Estates Residents' Association has also welcomed any possible move forward."We have been trying for a few years to get these trees replaced," said a spokeswoman."Everyone in the area wants them replaced. They make it look much nicer and softer."Some of them are quite sizeable and the ones that have been replaced have been replaced with modern trees which cost less to maintain."If something is to be decided soon that would be great."

Snow Hill - Condensation and Mould

The tragic death of a Snow Hill resident in January has prompted local councillors to launch an investigation into how another tragedy can be avoided. Cllrs David Dixon and Colin Darracott, who both represent the Walcot ward, arranged a meeting with Somer Housing Group to look at the properties like the one that 24-year-old Laura Smith was staying in when she died.The Snow Hill resident's family were devastated to learn their asthmatic relation died in a flat riddled with damp.The young woman had been moved into the flat in November, and had complained to her family about the dampness in her flat.Cllr Dixon said Somer provided leaflets about what residents should do, and said there was help at hand if people contacted the housing association.He urged anybody experiencing problems to talk to Somer, or to contact him.

Sydney Gardens Traffic Scheme

There was a productive site meeting with residents at the Sydney Gardens crossing. Among many issues and problems highlighted were, traffic travelling much faster through parts of the system, pedestrians mixing with traffic stood still on crossings and general confusion of when to stop or go.

Those in charge of transport and have been asked to revisit the scheme, with a view to making improvements. The view of the Conservative Executive Member for Transportation and Highways was that it is the fault of the drivers that this scheme does not work well, not the fault of the road layout itself. We await improvements. Meanwhile Cllr David Dixon has spoken to the Police to ask if in the meantime they would observe and advise motorists as to the purpose of hatched boxes, to ensure pedestrian safety.

Funding for Riverside Centre

Two bids for funding were made to the Safer Communities Initiative and both have been awarded. These are both related to the Riverside Youth and Community Centre, behind the Porter Butt on the London Road.

The awards are for the funding of a net for the basketball court to stop the ball going over into Weymouth Street, which means that young people using this facility will no longer have to leave the centre to get their ball back and residents no longer have to worry about damage to their cars, or intruders into their gardens.

The other award is to fund lighting along the dark access road to the centre, which has been an issue for many years and in the past has put off people using the centre in the evenings.

Tennis Courts at Sydney Gardens

After a local resident advised Cllr David Dixon, he has asked that Aquaterra replace the broken net on the tennis court in Sydney Gardens. Cllr David Dixon said, “It is very important that if these facilities are provided that they are kept in good working order. I do hope that Aquaterra replace these nets very soon so that our residents can make best use of this facility”.

Lighting for London Road

Most of the new street lights along the London Road are now in place. Cllr Colin Darracott said, “I know that residents will like the new street lighting, as it should improve the quality of lighting along the London Road and I feel that the design of the lights are in keeping with the area. It is important that we work hard to improve the London Road, after all it is the gateway to a World Heritage City.”

Lambridge Park and Ride

You may have already heard that the flood compensation works at Mill Lane were turn down by the Council’s Development Control Committee. This means that the Park and Ride at Lambridge can not go ahead. The Park and Ride at Lambridge would be a waste of valuable resources as it is simply too close to the City Centre, too small and would probably be full by 10am. It was noted that the traffic on the London Road would not decrease, but that any spare capacity would have been taken up by suppressed demand.

Cllr David Dixon said, “No one denies that there is not a need for a Park and Ride to the East of Bath, however £6.5million for a scheme which would do nothing to improve the London Road Area, to me does not represent value for money. Once the Car Park is full there will be serious overspill of parking into surrounding streets, would actually worsen the parking situation and increase rat running along through Fairfield Park and along Camden. The Park and Ride really needs to be further out from the City and not in the already congested zone.”

Proposed Parking Restrictions

There are proposals to introduce parking restrictions on Pera Road, Thomas Street, Snow Hill and Arundel Road.The restrictions on Snow Hill were extensively consulted on and drawn up in cooperation with Somer Housing last year. This includes the introduction of a Crossing Point on Snow Hill and hopefully the restrictions will help to slow down traffic flows and make life safer for residents crossing the estate.

We are very keen to receive comments from nearby residents on the rest of the proposals and I am able to send copies of these to any interested residents by email or by post. I would encourage all residents whether in favour for the proposals or not to comment. The quickest way for this is to send an email to transportation@bathnes.gov.uk (I would be grateful if you would copy us in… walcot@bathnes.fsnet.co.uk ).

As you nay know the Planning, Transportation, Economy and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel, Chaired by Cllr David Dixon has highlighted some gaps in the way the Council consults on Traffic Regulation Orders and that the role of Ward members is particularly important in advising residents of changes to their local area and feedback from effected residents is equally important.

Helping Residents Stay in Touch

Local Councillors can sometimes be accused of being distant from the people they are supposed to represent. But a pair of councillors who represent the London Road and Snow Hill areas have introduced a new scheme designed to help residents in their ward keep in touch.

Cllrs Colin Darracott and David Dixon, who represent the Walcot ward on Bath and North East Somerset Council, are busy delivering a rather unusual postcard to local homes.

Cllr Dixon said: "One thing we always find people saying is that they don't know how to contact us.

"So we came up with the idea of doing this contact card, which is like a postcard with our phone numbers and details on, as well as a handy year planner."

The councillors hope the cards will prompt residents to get in touch with them if they have any concerns or issues they wish to raise.

Bathwick Estate - Resident's Parking Scheme

It has now been agreed to introduce a Resident's Parking Scheme in the Bathwick Estate.

The scheme is likely to be in place by March and when introduced this area would be signed as Zone 10 and, with special authorisation from the Department for Transport, parking bays would not be formally marked out. It is furher proposed to provide some areas with “no waiting at any time” restrictions to improve visibility and to assist vehicles turning.

Cllr David Dixon said, "This area suffers from a high level of commuter parking, partly due to being the nearest area to the city centre without resident's parking. The problem is worsened by the lack of road space for vehicles, this why it is intended not to lose more spaces by not formally marking out parking bays. There is no firm date for the scheme to be installed as the Council is waiting to hear from Contractors, but I'm sure that it will not be long now."

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.