Save Bathampton Meadows

2011-11-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

That's it folks, we're signing off.

Again, thanks to all.

Any enquiries to Batheaston, Bathampton or Bathford Parish Councils.

2011-09-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

We can now confidently say our campaign to Save Bathampton Meadows is able to celebrate a resounding success.

Since 2008, after countless hours of meetings with Newbridge Matters, Response 2 Route, various Parish Councillors, VeracityBath Ltd., individual campaigners and concerned residents alike, various irrefutable messages on our specialist subject seem to have got through and this downright bad idea was seen as such, and dropped.

We are very happy to report that after a complete re-think, B&NES Council's revised bid for DfT funding for the Bath Transportation Package, the threat to Bathampton Meadows has been removed.

Please click here to read the B&NES document.

Please click here to read the Chronicle's article.

So we would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the legion of supporters, activists and fundraisers who gave their time and commitment, (and in a lot of cases their own hard-earned cash), in making the strongest possible cases against the destructive park and ride proposals.

But this message comes with a note of caution that it's by no means a permanent guarantee that park and ride, or other developments will not go ahead on the site one day.
Vigilance is therefore the watchword, and we urge all concerned to raise an alarm if any future interests in Bathampton Meadows are thought likely to adversely affect its ecology or neighbouring environments.

We believe that the new administration has pledged not to renew the Bathampton Meadows planning permission – keep an eye on ‘em !

In addition, the subject of an A36 – A46 link road may rear it’s ugly head again.
After a little thought, it can be seen that this does not address the fundamental long distance North/South traffic problem …. in fact it will excacerbate it.
B&NES is introducing an HGV ban of sorts on Cleveland Bridge. Obviously, this can hardly be classed as a bad idea, but it may have ramifications ……………. especially from Wiltshire County Council,. who may well lean on B&NES to help relieve their problems.

Still looking good.

2011-07-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

At today’s Planning, Transport and Environment Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel
Meeting, the Council’s ‘new’ funding bid to the DfT in September progressed further.

Most of the following should answer many of your questions …… however, still looking very good.

Council officers are now working hard on the ‘new’ Bath Transportation Package as follows :-

2.
The Cabinet agrees that the following elements of the BTP should not be included in the
Best & Final Bid to DfT:

2.1 The Bus Rapid Transit Segregated Route.
2.2 The A36 Lower Bristol Road Bus Lane.
2.3 The A4 London Road Lambridge Bus Lane.
2.4 New A4 Eastern P&R (1400 spaces), plus bus lane priority on the A4/A46 slip road.
2.5 And in addition reduce the size of the P&R expansion at Newbridge.

As a result the BTP would comprise of the following elements:

2.6 Upgrades to bus stop infrastructure on 9 service routes, including real time
passenger information.
2.7 Expansion of Odd Down P&R by 250 spaces, of Lansdown P&R by 390 spaces and
of Newbridge P&R by 250 spaces on a suitable alternative.
2.8 Variable Message signs on the main approaches to Bath, and within the city centre.
2.9 City centre works: High Street improvements and timed access restrictions
(currently ongoing).
2.10 Works to support BWR including a bus rapid transit system serving the site.
2.11 As a result of the above the Cabinet agree to formally withdraw the CPOs agreed at
its meeting on 3rd September 2008 and subsequently served to allow for the
implementation of the BTP. The Cabinet agree and recommends to Full Council
that the Council contribution towards the BTP would be no more £17.8m as set out
in section 3 below. The schemes costs as recommended in this report have been
reduced from £58.8m to £34.3m.
2.12 Cabinet agree and recommends to full Council that the final submission to DfT be
approved by the Strategic Director Service Delivery and Chief Executive in
consultation with the portfolio holder, the S151 officer and monitoring officer, and
with a report back to cabinet only if necessary notably if there is a material change
in the financial costs or scope of the scheme which go beyond the parameters set
out in this report.
2.13 Cabinet recommend to full Council additional borrowing of £3M to fully finance the
costs of the Council contribution of up to £17.8M with an additional annual revenue
cost of approximately £190K which will need to be included in revenue budgets for
future years following completion of the scheme.
2.14 Cabinet note the revenue reversion risk as set out in paragraph 3.3 and the
potential need to fund the costs of project work on aspects of the scheme which are
no longer going ahead from reserves with the appropriate financing to be dealt with
in a later report to cabinet and Council as appropriate and if the need arises.

In addition the Cabinet agrees and recommends to Full Council to instruct officers
to:

2.15 work on alternatives to Bathampton Meadows P&R, possibly involving rail, as part
of our future Transport Strategy
2.16 work with the Highways Agency to improve signage on the A46 to direct more traffic
to an extended Lansdown Park and Ride
2.17 talk to Wiltshire Council about measures to remove some of the through traffic
along the London Road and other cross border transport issues
2.18 evaluate measures to remove HGVs from London Road - this 10% of traffic creates
40% of the pollution .

WAHEY !

2011-07-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Looking good ....... looking very, very, good.

The proposed plan to build a Park & Ride on Bathampton Meadows has been removed from the new (Lib Dem) administration's amended Bath Transportation Package.

As has the Bus Rapid Transit scheme in Newbridge.

The expansion of the Newbridge P&R has been downsized.

The costs of the Bathampton Meadows P&R & the BRT, are not included in the amount being requested from the Department for Transport in September.

They are therefore off the menu in this present spending round.

They are ex-proposals.

Many, many, congratulations to all that have worked so hard to make this happen, and all supporters .......... make no mistake, this pressure from residents has been absolutely instrumental in bringing this about.

OK - we must now make sure that this threat cannot rear it's ugly head again.

More to follow.

Update.

2011-05-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Firstly, many apologies to one and all for the lack of updates.

The fact is that since the election on May 5th, things have been moving very fast, however as nothing in Council life happens in isolation, the new administration has to get all it’s ducks in a row before any actual statement of future actions can be firmed up.

To that end, the LibDems are conducting a seminar next Wednesday (1st June), where their intentions regarding 'Transport' will be thrashed out between themselves and the Council Officers that will be charged with making it happen.

They have continued with their position of being against a P&R on Bathampton Meadows – from today’s Chronicle –

“ ……the new regime ……. wants to abandon the Bathampton Meadows scheme ….”

They have however, to cohesively stitch together a lot of their other aspirations regarding rail and bus improvements, city centre improvements, present P&R extensions, and so on.
The funding of course is important, so at the same time they have to put a sensible and cost friendly solution to the Dept. for Transport.

None of this is the matter of a moment, however they are under very tight time constraints due to having to report to the DfT, so we should know soon.

We remain very optimistic that they will achieve these aims, moving to a positive outcome regarding Bathampton Meadows.

Local election.

2011-05-09T08:01:00.001-07:00

By now as we are all aware, the elections on May 5th have resulted in a hung council, with both the Conservatives and LibDems with 29 seats each.

LibDems in Bath bucked the national trend with this result.

An explanation that many are giving for this, is the local issues such as the Bath Transportation Package, and the controversy surrouinding Culverhay School, which may have swung voters towards the LibDems.

Quite what the ramifications are for all this, no doubt time will tell.

In the meantime, Alison Millar has contacted us to pass on her thanks to the 1237 people who voted for her in the Bathavon North ward. Unfortunately 52 votes short of victory, but nevertheless a wake-up call for the Conservatives in that ward.

From the horse's mouth.

2011-05-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

"It is Liberal Democrat policy that there will be no Park & Ride on Bathampton Meadows.

We believe that the Bath Package as is stands is not fit for purpose and we will renegotiate it. We will remove the extension of the Park & Ride in Newbridge. We will remove the BRT. We will remove the proposed Park & Ride on Bathampton Meadows. Instead we will introduce other measures, that will address the real causes of Bath’s congestion.

The government may well not allow such radical changes which would mean that the Bath Package could be withdrawn. In that case, we would have to decide what to do about the £17.8M that the Conservatives inserted into the B&NES budget as our contribution to Bath Package.

We would use some of this money to implement our own measures, but I repeat these would not include a Park & Ride on Bathampton Meadows.

The Lib Dems are a very democratic organisation and so we welcome debate and tolerate dissent more than most parties.
I should say that some hold the view that a Park & Ride in Wiltshire should be investigated.

Once again, we are fighting this election to stop the Park & Ride on the Meadows. If you are successful in the election you will be able to participate in the demise of this crazy scheme and help us implement the other measures we will put in its place."

Paul Crossley
Leader Bath & NE Somerset Council Liberal Democrat Council group

More unnecessary spending on Compulsory Purchase Orders.

2011-04-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

As part of B&NES Council's drive to implement their deeply flawed Bath Transportation Package (BTP) yet more unnecessary expense is being lavished upon it.

Statements of Case and notices for BTP Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) were issued in 2009, with supplementary orders in 2010. These have now been subjected to an April 2011 update with a CD containing substantial documentation. The costs of this work has not yet been publicly disclosed.

More worrying however, the April 2011 information includes notices to those objecting to a proposal for an extension to the London Road bus lane, designed to accommodate the proposed new Bus Rapid Transit service.

There is no explanation for these notices as the bus lane proposal was removed from the package by B&NES Council in January 2011 without explanation (other than 'to meet DfT funding requirements').

So just some of the questions to be asking councillors and prospective candidates is why?

Why is money being spent on a CPO for BTP work that is no longer required?

Why was the proposed bus lane removed from the package, and the significant objections that went with it?

Why are B&NES Council continuing to promote the BTP despite the lack of evidence to support it as a solution to Bath's congestion, public transport and air quality, which were listed as primary objectives in the original Business Case for the scheme?

Why are B&NES Council continuing to spend considerable sums of local taxpayers money, with latest estimates at approximately 9 million pounds, in preparation of a scheme for which there are no guarantees of funding or returns on investments?

Realpolitik.

2011-04-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

Since it's formation, Save Bathampton Meadows has been an apolitical group.

However, with the upcoming local election, there is a golden opportunity to perhaps do something positive.

Please note that this is not over - it is still very much in the balance - the council, under it's present administration, which is determined to press on with this, still has some hoops to jump through - but it has not been forgotten about - it has not been scrapped in the spending review - it is not sort of 'being thought about' - it is still very very active.

If the Council becomes LibDem controlled, the situation may be very different, as they have pledged to stop the BTP in it's tracks, and tell the Dept for Transport that a re-think is underway, with a different set of proposals.

For years now, all Conservative councillors have, (in public anyway), rallied round their flag regarding this subject, and have refused to budge when challenged.

As previously stated, the local LibDem group have consistently been supportive, and strongly oppose the proposals in Newbridge, and the siting of the Eastern P&R.

Also, as previously stated, long-time anti BTP campaigner Alison Millar, is standing as a LibDem candidate in the Bathavon North Ward in May 5th's election.

Their campaign leaflet makes interesting reading.

Please click here.

B&NES local elections May 5th.

2011-04-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

As you’re no doubt aware, local elections take place on May 5th.
If the subject of the Bath Transportation Package (BTP), or any aspect of it, (including of course the proposed P&R on Bathampton Meadows) is of particular concern to you, we advise that you enquire of your local candidates their position on this subject.
This is a great opportunity to make your views known, and quite possibly make a difference.

It must be said that local LibDems have been very helpful and supportive - and have some interesting proposals.

VeracityBath is at present sending a document to all prospective candidates, which lays out the reasons why the contentious elements of the BTP should be re-evaluated immediately.

Alison Millar, a long-term campaigner opposing the proposed Bathampton Meadows Park & Ride, is standing for the LibDems in the Bathavon North Ward, on an anti-BTP stance.

It would appear that the present Conservative controlled council is determined to present the BTP as the central plank of a grand scheme to invigorate Bath’s prospects regarding the encouragement of inward investment with consequent job creation, and the city’s housing requirements.
Whilst of course a lot of these aims are admirable, the principle that the BTP is the magic key to unlock these aspirations is far from proven.
In fact we would argue that this grand plan is perfectly achievable without the expense and disruption of the BTP ............... and of course the family silver selling that accompanies it.

B&NES still have a few hoops to jump through and are working hard to this end on a daily basis.
2011 is a key year for them to convince the Department for Transport (DfT) that this is a scheme that deserves central funding.

Our colleagues to the West of town (Response2 Route & Newbridge Matters) have issued a document to the DfT, making their case.
To read this document please click here.

You may be interested to read generally what R2R & NM are up to, click -

Newbridge Matters.
Response2Route.

SaveBathamptonMeadows and VeracityBath have continued to make their views known regarding the BTP, and will continue to do so, however, as always we aprreciate your help - as we have said above, the upcoming elections are a great opportunity to do so.

Thank you.

2010-11-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Save Bathampton Meadows campaign continues to vehemently oppose the development of a park and ride on the meadows at Bathampton.

All members of the campaign are working to ensure that Bath & North
East Somerset Council's arguments in relation to this plan are fully
exposed, and the reality that the proposals to destroy the meadows for
negligible improvements in both traffic flow and air quality is
brought to light.

We have decided to withhold further comment about the plans until the
Council's funding bid and overall financial strategy becomes clearer.

It's just a bad idea (contd).

2010-07-20T10:36:00.001-07:00

For its Bath Transportation Package the B&NES Council Business Case summary records:

"The Bath Package major scheme is a bold and innovative proposal to address existing traffic problems in the city, and provide a modern and efficient public transport solution to take the city forward. Investment in this package scheme will reduce congestion, reduce dependence on the private car and create the reliable transport infrastructure needed to encourage regeneration in the city and economic growth through the attraction of increased business and tourism to Bath."

Because being forewarned is forearmed, we want to make it known the following has been overlooked:

The BTP and its BRT route cannot by any reasonable measure be seen to be a "public transport solution", as it delivers little more than a single park and ride route designed to service increased car parking capacities.

Claims of reductions in congestion and improvements in air quality are greatly exaggerated, and unsupported by data supplied in planning applications which have recorded: (a) No impact on traffic congestion on London Road due to suppressed demand, and, (b) No notable improvement in air quality in Bath (at less than 1%).

The case significantly contains no modelling assessments of any negative impacts upon other traffic. The resulting lack of balance in the modelling exaggerates claims of improvements to infrastructure and has led to confusion and the influencing of B&NES Development Control Committee (DCC) decisions prior to planning applications being considered.

Recent claims that the BTP is only "a first step" to improving public transport, integrating with wider regional transport strategies, wholly contradicts the Business Case content and summary (above). There is no proof that these aims can be achieved by the BTP and the available evidence points clearly to this conclusion.

Furthermore, and in strategic terms, the current draft of the Joint Local Transport Plan states that to qualify for Central Government funding all schemes must be integrated with other regional plans. In a recent plea to Transport minister Norman Baker, councillor Charles Gerrish, the Council Cabinet member for Transport & Highways and chair of the West of England Partnership's joint transport executive committee, has ignored the basic fact that the scheme, being a park and ride expansion programme serving only Bath, fails to meet this requirement completely.

2010-06-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Many people feel that the Bath Transportation Package, and with it, the proposed P&R on Bathampton Meadows, is ‘dead in the water’ due to the Government’s recent announcements of financial cutbacks,…………........................…this is NOT so.

The Government will complete a ‘Spending Review’ in October, and it is unlikely that any decision will be made before then on whether B&NES will succeed in qualifying for any Grant Money from the Department for Transport.

We urge all our supporters to approach their local Councillor(s) to ascertain the stance that they will take on the run-up to next year’s local election.
Not all Conservative Councillors support the BTP proposals, and perhaps not all LibDems are against – if these issues are important to you, perhaps you need to find out where your Councillor stands.

More BTP delays.

2010-06-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

CPO objectors have been advised by the Inspector’s Programme Officer that the Pre-Inquiry scheduled to be held next Monday 14th June and the Public Inquiry set to be held on 1st September 2010 have both been postponed.

The full text of the message received is set out below.

“The Secretary of State for Transport has issued a Statement today, indicating that the Department for Transport (DfT) will play a full part in the Government's spending review, which is being undertaken in view of the urgent need to tackle the UK's record budget deficit. This spending review will be reporting in the Autumn and only once it has been completed will the DfT be in a position to identify those major investments that can be supported.
“Steps are therefore being taken to help avoid unnecessary expenditure, whilst the Government considers its transport priorities. The Statement makes it clear that Ministers will postpone decisions on scheme orders and public inquiries relating to schemes which require DfT funding, unless alternative funding sources are available. As the Bath Transportation Package requires DfT funding this means that the Public Inquiries, scheduled to commence on 1 September 2010, have today been postponed.
“In consequence, the Pre-Inquiry Meeting scheduled for Monday 14 June 2010 is also postponed.
“The Government will aim to provide a firm indication on the way forward later this year once the spending review is complete.”

See -

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Transport-package-inquiry-scrapped-Government-spending-crackdown/article-2292876-detail/article.html

Not if we can help it.

2010-06-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Many readers will be aware from Public Notices published in The Bath Chronicle, that B&NES Council has now made Supplementary Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) concerning land they require for the Bath Transportation Package (BTP).

The Programme Officer for the Inspector has advised as follows:

“The Supplementary CPOs are for the accommodation works, connected with the scheme, which should have been submitted under S240 of the Highways Act (temporary acquisition) but were in error included in the main (permanent) CPOs. The Council have said that they will accept any relevant objections made under the original CPOs as objections to the relevant Supplementary CPO."

These latest CPOs require any objections to be submitted to the Secretary of State by Friday 25th June 2010, which is after Monday 14th June - the date already scheduled for the Pre-Inquiry to be held.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who previously missed the chance to make their voices heard on the subject of the Transport Package CPO for the London Road bus lane, and most readers of this site will be aware that there are no shortage of very good reasons to object.

Objections should be in writing and mailed to:

The Secretary of State for Transport
Government Office for the North East
Local Authority Orders Section
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4WH

VeracityBath announces successful outcome of Judicial Review

2010-05-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

VeracityBath announced today that its judicial review proceedings in the High Court of Justice has been successfully decided upon based on papers, without the need for a costly trial. Whilst the Judge has refused permission for judicial review, the reasons given in the Court Order are a confirmation that B&NES Council can only develop the Green Belt site at Bathampton Meadows as part of the Bath Transport Package, and not independently.

For their full press release please go to http://www.vcbath.blogspot.com/

Spokesman for VCB, Mark Millar, commented:
"We are delighted to have obtained, for the people of Bath, confirmation of protection from independent development of the Bathampton Meadows by the Council under its own planning permission.

“This is what we had sought from B&NES Council in correspondence - without the need for costly litigation wasting VCB’s and tax payers’ money - but is consistent with the woeful way that the Council has treated, and continues to treat, its residents throughout the BTP process. This is ongoing.

“Despite DfT suspending consideration of funding for the BTP in April pending the Government’s spending review, thus putting B&NES on risk of all costs incurred, B&NES failed to notify interested parties, including the Court and still continues incurring costs – for itself and interested parties – including in respect of the CPO public inquiry. We call for B&NES to stop all work on the BTP, and seek suspension of the CPO inquiry pending the outcome of the DfT review of funding.

"This was a case that we should never have had to bring but we are delighted to have obtained protection for Bath residents from inappropriate independent development on the beautiful and historic Bathampton Meadows."

BTP funding on hold !

2010-05-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

B&NES Council were notified on 20 April by the Department for Transport that consideration of the Bath Transport Package Major Package was on hold pending the election and the spending review that would follow.

A copy of the attached letter (click on image above) was received today with the following FOI response:

“Mon 17/05/2010 09:44

Dear xxxxxxxx

Your email to xxxxxxx was forwarded to me for reply. The Bath Transport Package scheme – which includes the BRT element - is one of the schemes on hold pending the proposed spending review. A copy of the letter sent to the Council is attached.

Yours sincerely,

Fozia Chughtai, DfT - Regional & Local Major Projects, South West “

The letter clearly states that any work undertaken by the Council on the Major Scheme Business case will be “entirely at [the Council’s] own risk”.

Please note that this scheme is on hold pending the spending review and not scrapped.
It is important that we continue to oppose the elements of the scheme and do not think it is over!

Date and venue for painting auction.

2010-05-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday 6th June 2010 - 2pm to 5pm.
Please see http://www.vcbath.blogspot.com/ for more details.
Come along !

Bathampton Meadows oil painting.

2010-03-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

Local artist Jane Riley (Dolphin House, Batheaston) has painted an evocative picture of the magnificent view of the open countryside of Bathampton Meadows and surrounding Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty seen from the southern slope of Little Solsbury Hill.

Please click on the image.

The oil painting is being exhibited in The Framing Workshop (Walcot Street, Bath) from 22nd March for one month.
Limited edition prints of the painting (£30 & £40) can be purchased/ordered from The Framing Workshop,
or Jane Riley, email - georgeandjane@hotmail.com ,
or Maurdens News, High Street, Batheaston.
Payment is by cash or cheque made out to VeracityBath Ltd.

The original painting will be sold by auction in Batheaston in May 2010 - date and venue to be announced. If you are interested in purchasing it please leave a closed bid (in excess of £500) or a notice of interest and your contact details with The Framing Workshop or Jane Riley.
The date and venue for the auction will be advertised shortly in the Bath Chronicle and on the VeracityBath Ltd and Save Bathampton Meadows websites -
http://www.vcbath.blogspot.com/ and http://www.savebathamptonmeadows.blogspot.com/

Jane has very generously donated her oil painting to VeracityBath Ltd free of charge and Martin Tracy - The Framing Workshop, has very generously framed the picture free of charge.
All proceeds from the sale of the painting and limited edition prints will go to funding of VeracityBath Ltd’s campaign to stop the construction of a 1400 space Park and Ride facility on Bathampton Meadows.

VeracityBath Limited issues judicial review proceedings against B&NES council.

2010-03-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

On 19 February 2010, before expiry of the legal deadline, VCB issued judicial review proceedings against B&NES in respect of the Bathampton Meadows application.

This followed a shocking late admission by B&NES in legal correspondence that each of the planning permissions could be implemented separately ......... despite each element having always been described as indivisible and interdependent parts of the Bath Transportation Package.

Bit of a clue in the title there.

This is particularly relevant to Bathampton Meadows, because the use of the ancient Meadows, which is green belt land, was purportedly justified as a park and ride in law by the Council based on the "very special circumstances of the Bath Transportation Package as a whole".

Sorry folks, but for legal reasons, full details of the claim are not included here. However, VCB have challenged B&NES Council to come clean on its true intentions.

We will update you when a response is received.

And their reply .....

2010-03-05T03:55:00.000-08:00

Please click on the image to see a larger copy of the UNESCO reply to VeracityBath's earlier letter regarding B&NES' reponsibilities on Bath's World Heritage City status.

A letter to UNESCO before it's too late.

2010-02-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

Given B&NES' staggering response on this matter, and their cavalier attitude to Bath's World Heritage status, VeracityBath has written to Unesco asking them to give this their urgent consideration.
We believe UNESCO is not in possession of the full facts of the proposed developments, and that the World Heritage issues relating to Bathampton Meadows & Newbridge are being glossed over.

Please click here to see a copy of this letter.

We will continue to update progress in due course.

Update on Secretary of State challenge.

2010-02-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Treasury Solicitor, on behalf of the Secretary of State, has now acknowledged service of the Judicial Review proceedings, and has provided summary grounds of resistance. In that response, the Secretary of State has formally accepted that he made the mistake of not referring to the departure from local plan!
However, they seek to resist the claim, and state that the fact that he got it wrong would not have changed the outcome of his decision.

We are busy preparing a response, which will be the final document before the Judge considers the case at some point in the next few months.

Update on B&NES challenge.

2010-02-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

VeracityBath has now responded to B&NES letter expressing disbelief that world heritage issues were not a "material consideration" in the context of concreting over the Meadows and Newbridge for car parks.
We are awaiting a response from BANES.

You cannot be serious.

2010-02-01T05:27:00.000-08:00

We've had many requests for clarification of exactly where the proposed P&R site is situated within the natural amphitheatre of
Bathampton Meadows.
Please click here for a larger image.
Very importantly, the map shows information that B&NES have not dared to group together in their presentations.
Specifically how the site is in the middle of designated and protected Green Belt, is overlooked by its three neighbouring villages and two ancient monuments, is
surrounded by AONB, and is immediately adjacent to the Bath World Heritage Site and Wildlife Reserve boundaries.

All of these raise fundamental issues that B&NES Council supporters of the scheme have deliberately avoided discussing.

They can't be serious can they ? Help us stop this madness by donating now.

Good stuff.

2010-01-28T12:03:00.000-08:00

Last night we attended VeraCityBath Ltd's first public meeting in Batheaston. The hall was packed with around 80 people having to stand. Many thanks to SBM supporters who attended.

The directors of the company gave a presentation which updated the attendees on the legal challenges against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and B&NES Council. In addition, there was information on the public inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders associated with the Bath Transportation Package.

Naturally there was a call for new members and help with funds for legal expenses – details on how to donate can be found in the right hand column. Many thanks to everyone who signed up and made financial contributions at the meeting.

Just to remind you, VCB Ltd is a not-for-profit company set up as an umbrella organisation to encompass residents' groups and associations, Parish Councils, and other interested parties - all strongly opposed to the Bath Transportation Package.
Please see previous blogs.

For more information please e-mail us.

Public Meeting Wednesday 27th January.

2010-01-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Details of the Public Meeting.

Everyone welcome - come along and get the latest news on the fight to stop B&NES building a Park & Ride on Bathampton Meadows.

Wednesday January 27th - 19.30 to 21.00

Batheaston Methodist Hall.
(Leave the main road onto North End, then just passed Wayfield Gardens).

See you there.

Limited Company formed for the challenge.

2010-01-15T06:32:00.000-08:00

VeraCityBath have today issued the following press release to the Bath Chronicle, all national newspapers & BBC Points West.

VERACITYBATH LIMITED the truth is out there...

PRESS INFORMATION
For immediate release
Community Group steps up Bath Transportation Package appeal:
VERACITYBATH LIMITED LODGE JUDICIAL REVIEW CLAIM AGAINST MINISTER

It is announced today that VeraCityBath Limited (VCB), an umbrella company whose members comprise Parish Councillors and local community organisations, has launched judicial review proceedings with regard to the controversial Bath Transportation Package. It has filed an application for judicial review against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with Bath & North East Somerset Council (the “Council”), the applicant and decision maker for the proposals, as an interested party.
VCB is also awaiting a response from the Council to a formal pre-action protocol letter submitted to the Council late last year in respect of a separate judicial review challenge of the Plans.
VCB believes the Secretary of State should have called for a public inquiry into the planning applications for a new park and ride at Batheaston and the joint application for Newbridge park and ride extension and bus rapid transit link. The Batheaston application was referred to the Secretary of State by the Council because it did not satisfy the tests required to build a park and ride on green belt land, but the Secretary of State failed to take account of this issue in his determination not to call a public inquiry. The Secretary of State had called the Newbridge and BRT application in for his own consideration as the two applications were considered to be intrinsically linked including by the “very special circumstances” needed to be satisfied in relation to the use of green belt land for park and rides.
A judge has already awarded VCB an interim protected costs order to limit its liability against costs up until the case being considered by the judge, when it will seek for the order to be extended.
The Company is represented by leading public law experts Harrison Grant and Nathalie Lieven QC and David Blundell, of counsel.
Spokesperson Mark Millar reports:
“These proposals have not been demonstrated by the Council to be effective in tackling the traffic problems of Bath, but the Council would not rethink the proposal due to the fear of the loss of c.£50 million of Central Government funding, which is under threat anyway due to necessary Government spending cuts post the next election and the Department for Transport’s decision to call a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase orders associated with the Bath Transport Package. It is important in these difficult times that such large expenditure on outdated schemes can be justified when they will clearly have a significant impact on this World Heritage City and its surroundings..
The Council has repeatedly failed to take account or consider alternative proposals suggested by the public, including the use of rail, given the forthcoming electrification of relevant lines or alternative sites and instead forced proposals through in controversial manner to avoid the loss of funding. A public inquiry is needed to justify the expense and environmental damage of these proposals to the public.
Therefore VCB, whose mission statement includes to protect your World Heritage City and its surroundings, have brought this action. We will be holding public meetings around Bath in the next few months.”
For more information please go to www.savebathamptonmeadows.blogspot.com
- end -

As previously mentioned, VCB is actively seeking additional funding - full details on how to add to their fighting fund, plus VCB membership, to follow.
In the meantime please continue to email us your comments - your support is much appreciated.

Legal action 2.

2010-01-13T05:20:00.000-08:00

It has been really heartening that so many people have been getting in contact – obviously there an awful lot of unhappy people out there!
So as promised here is an update of where things are at the moment.

Certain aspects of the Bath Transportation Package (BTP) are now being fought through the courts in Judicial Review proceedings issued by VeraCityBath Ltd (VCB Ltd), a not-for-profit company incorporated to represent interested parties, including the Save Bathampton Meadows group, individuals from local Parish Councils, plus other groups and individuals across Bath.

VCB Ltd issued the above proceedings at the beginning of January at the High Court in London, against both the Department of Communities and Local Government, and Bath & North East Somerset council, asking for a Judicial Review of their decisions and procedures regarding the planning process.

The Judicial Review challenge to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has been acknowledged, and grounds for our case submitted. At this time an answer has yet to be received from B&NES.

Veracity Bath Ltd is an alliance whose members are deeply concerned about the potentially damaging effect of the BTP.
It is open to new members who wish to support the action – anybody who has similar concerns now has the ability to become involved and make a real contribution.
The Company is at present setting up procedures for membership and financial contributions. It has a reasonably healthy start to the fighting fund, but this may cost a few quid – details to follow.

Please pencil into your diaries Wednesday 27th January – 19.30 to 21.00.
Hopefully this will be confirmed soon, but for anyone who wants to find out more, and become more active, a public meeting will be held at the Methodist Hall in Batheaston.
It will be an opportunity to meet Parish Councillors, members of Newbridge Matters, Response2Route, Save Bathampton Meadows and Bath Heritage Watchdog.

Stay tuned folks.

Legal action.

2010-01-04T02:58:00.000-08:00

We have seen the pre-action protocol letters which clearly highlight
major flaws in the processes followed by both B&NES Council and the
office of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The groups behind this challenge are now beginning to raise fighting funds to help introduce justice to what has been an undemocratic process.

Things are moving pretty fast at the moment, we'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year.

2009-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

As hinted previously, we've been busy.
On December 22nd, separate pre-action protocol letters were issued in preparation of legal challenges to Secretary of State John Denham, and B&NES Council.

We are working to provide a much fuller report in the next few days, and after the Christmas/New Year break we will post it here .

Watch this space, but in the meantime please click here to read the Chronicle article.

CPO Public Inquiry.

2009-12-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

Most statutory objectors to the CPOs have received a letter from the DfT enclosing a booklet with information on the process.
Please click here to read this document.

If anybody out there has any experiences of Public Inquiries that they'd like to share, or has any advice to give, please email using the link.
Also, if you have made an official objection to any or all of the CPOs, please contact us for help and advice regarding the way forward.

Thanks

Some good news !

2009-12-15T06:01:00.000-08:00

The news just in from the Bath Chronicle is that there is to be a public inquiry into the Bath-wide Compulsory Purchase Orders. Click here to read the report in the Bath Chronicle.
The decision to hold a Public Enquiry into this aspect of the Bath Transportation Package has been made by the Department for Transport (DfT) - unlike the Public Enquiry into the planning aspects of the plan, disgracefully refused by the Department of Communities & Local Government.
It must be remembered that the DfT are the ones holding the purse strings - make of that what you will.
Although it is far too soon to get carried away, this is without doubt not what B&NES would have wanted to hear - the timescale ramifications for the council cannot be good.
We don't intend for this to be the only bad bit of news for the council this Christmas.
We'll keep you posted.

Have I got news for you.

2009-12-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Well .... not exactly, but keep in touch with the Bath Chronicle's coverage of things BTP-wise - click here.

For example, some recent coverage regarding Compulsory Purchase Orders, and other matters - click here.

We fight on.

2009-12-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

Despite B&NES subsequently giving themselves permission to continue with all aspects of the Bath Transportation Package, the fight is far from lost.

A very productive alliance has been formed, not only with our friends in Newbridge (see links Newbridge Matters & R2R), but also with the Parish Councils of Batheaston, Bathampton, Bathford & Claverton Down, the London Road Residents Association, plus the Bath Preservation Trust and the Bath Heritage Watchdog.

All these parties are determined to stop this threatened Bath-wide vandalism which will result from this ill-conceived plan.

We may need your help though - keep posted.

To further the progression of justice regarding the Bath Transportation Package, the time has come to seek legal advice on judicial review. As mentioned, we have joined forces with other campaigners across Bath and negotiated extremely favourable rates with a leading London lawyer and barrister who have a vast experience in this area.

Public enquiry refused.

2009-12-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

On October 8th it was announced through GoSW that the Secretary of State will not be holding a public inquiry into the Newbridge or Bathampton planning applications.

This was obviously disappointing but not unexpected. The Bath Chronicle quotes Dave Jones, GoSW planning manager, from letters sent to Bath Council as saying:

“The Secretary of State has considered carefully .... relevant planning issues raised by this proposal. He acknowledges that this application has raised issues of controversy both from the representations received by B&NES Council and those persons who have taken the trouble to write directly to him.

However, he is satisfied that the planning issues raised do not relate to matters of more than local importance or amount to regional or national controversy, which would be more appropriately decided by him rather than the local planning authority.

He has therefore concluded that the application should be decided by B&NES Council.”

Quite how issues in Bath - a World Heritage City - do not constitute matters of more than local importance is beyond us, and poses the question - which government body is willing to act impartially of behalf of the people?