Sydney Gardens rail fence consultation

Railway track in Sydney Gardens 

Network rail are inviting your opinions on the difficult balance between safety and history.

Brunel’s railway line through Sydney Gardens is one of the least protected in the UK and the Railways Inspector is now insisting that Network Rail take action against trespass. Network Rail managers have commited funding to a solution, but as many residents will know, previous plans have stopped in their tracks (run out of steam/gone off the rails/been sidelined/hit the buffers…).

Network Rail will be exhibiting three posible solutions in Bath Library next week. I met with a representative this morning to discuss the plans; as they will not be available on-line, here is a summary:

1 – a fence to be fixed on top of the existing stone wall – this may look suitable, but may not be practical

2 – a fence placed in front of the stone wall – this is less attractive but more effective

3 – a ditch, with a fence in the centre, disguised with a hedge, in front of the wall – a slightly better option than it sounds, introduces a wide and deep hedge between the public and the trains.

All of the options will be on public display on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (17th-19th Feb) between 10am and 6pm. Network Rail staff will be available in the library to explain the options. Plans can be sent out to those unavailable to see them during working hours.

I am glad of the opportunity for the public to examine the plans before they are implemented; Network Rail have had a poor reputation with consultation, so please do take this chance to get involved. Any solution will be controversial given the nature and protections of the park. I am also trying to make sure that this work ties in fully with plans to renovate Sydney Gardens to get the best value for money and best solution.

Fewer number fours

Gail Coleshill and Nicholas Coombes

First have altered some of their bus timetables to “improve punctuality and reliability”. Unfortunately for us, this means they have cut the service; fewer buses = better chance of making them run on time.

The number 4 service which previously went from Bathampton to Whiteway has been split. The 4 will now go along the Warminster Road from Bathampton to town and now the 12 will go up to Whiteway. However, while Whiteway retains its half hourly service, the number 4 slides to a 40 minute return journey. Obviously I am disappointed with this reduction in service and hope that it genuinely does improve reliability. Leader of the Lib Dem councillors, Paul Crossley has written to First on our behalf.

The new timetable is operative from 1st February and is here. The number 18 and almost every other Bath service is unchanged.

Drains blocked by BathNES

Nick and a drain

Cllr Coombes has reported a series of problems on Clavteron Down to the council for fixing.

Between the bus stop and Quarry Rock Gardens the pavement is narrow and the verges poorly maintained. Even more concerning is the state of the drains, which have been entirely blocked by road repairs. A highways inspector is due to visit the  site shortly. The detritus and brocken bollards are also due to be cleared up.

Social mobility

Earlier today, a friend asked me “how about some social mobility discussion on the blog Nick?”

When I noticed that the report of the  Social Mobility Commission, established by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, was  published today (http://www.libdems.org.uk/home/children%E2%80%99s-life-chances-still-tied-to-the-circumstances-of-their-birth-clegg-123335373;show) it was too good to miss. The report was managed independently of the Liberal Democrats and chaired by the Chief Executive of Barnardos.

I admit that my professional experience makes me better qualified to comment on things which can be kicked (roads, town planning, buildings, public realm etc) rather than those which should not be kicked (children, elderly people, social workers etc). Social mobility could be considered out of my remit, but it is actually the thing which I am most passionate about.

It is unacceptable that the principal determinant of life expectancy in Britain is the wealth of ones parents. A child born to wealthy parents will live 10 years longer, on average, than a child of a poorer background. A poorer child will have poorer health, worse education and a less secure job. I believe in a society in which opportunity is related to ability, not parents’ income. This is not that case in Britain today.

I will provide an update on blocked drains later, but now you know why I ‘do’ politics and why I am a Liberal Democrat.

Action on King Edwards traffic

Traffic at King Edwards

King Edwards School last night re-launched their travel plan. A working group was formed to update their Travel Plan and pursue the recommendations.

While there may have been slow progress in the past, the school has worked hard to get all ‘stake-holders’ represented for the new plan. School pupils, parents, teachers and neighbours were invited and represented at last night’s meeting, plus BathNES staff and local councillor Nicholas Coombes.

“I am encouraged that the school has chosen to work with local residents on this.” said Cllr Coombes, “Travel arrangements are a matter of good neighbourliness and also of environmental concern. I am happy to join the working group to follow this through.”

Home to school tansport is a matter of concern accross the whole of BathNES (see http://nicholascoombes.mycouncillor.org.uk/2008/01/29/school-buses/) and has been the matter of a review launched by the Liberal Democrats. Bath’s Lib Dem councillors believe that money spent on the Bath Rapid Transit bus road would be better improving and reducing the cost of transport for young people to reduce school time traffic.

Doubled yellow lining

Claverton Down parking problems

Two Bathwick locations are due double yellow lines at residents’ requests, backed up by your councillors. Parking on Claverton Down and Warminster Road will be restricted to legal bays, prohibiting dangerous side of road parking.

On Claverton Down a number of residents have requested that parking on the verges is stopped and the informal layby near the Skyline Walk route is regulated. It is proposed that the parking bay is now restricted to two hours parking only, with all other parking banned. This should shop the erosion of the grass verges which has left the area muddy and messy.

Parking on the Warminster Road, which has been highlighted by Cllr Nicholas Coombes and neighbouring Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Gail Colshill, is to be moved entirely to the North-West side of the road, leaving the Bath bound carriage-way unobstructed. Some new parking spaces can be created safely on the MoD side of the road, but double yellow lines are planned from Minster Way through to Trossachs Drive. 

BathNES council has published a jumbo Traffic Regulation Order covering changes to parking arrangements in 22 locations across the city. Although this super order saves the council money, it has slowed down progress on the Bathwick schemes.

Festive notes

armandnick.JPG

As the year ends, I thought I had best mention a few recent highlights. I started this website almost one year ago with a review of 2007. While I do not intend to run through all of 2008 (yet) there are a few bits I forgot to mention during the Christmas rush.

Firstly, thanks to Rev Prothero for inviting me to give a reading at the Bathwick St Mary’s lessons and carols service. The lessons were read by a wide variety of local speakers, including myself. Rather flatteringly, I was noted as a ‘representative of the local community’ in the service programme. If you are a local community member not at the service, I represented you with the second lesson, Genesis 22:15-18.

Secondly, a resident of Clan House has kindly written to thank me for having the road surface fixed for them. This was a rather good early Christmas present as councillors don’t tend to get so many thank you notes. “Bathwick ward is exceptionally well served by you and your fellow councillor Armand.” – we do our best.