Canal cleared-up

Nicholas Coombes joined local volunteers and British Waterways to clear up the Kennet & Avon Canal in Bathwick.

The volunteers picked up 20 sacks of rubbish from the towpath and verges between the Bath Locks and Bathampton. Finds included a trolley and TV aerial both secreted in the vegetation below Sham Castle Lane. Marker posts and information boards were re-painted at the stretch opposite Sydney Buildings.

“Volunteering projects like this are really good,” said Cllr Coombes. “A few hours work for fifteen people has made a real difference to our area. It was warm and sunny which helped make for a fun, sociable morning.”

Drains and terrorism

Reading Liberal Democrat Voice recently about the man arrested for taking photos of drain covers; I though that this is certainly an intrustion to civil liberty, but a very odd one. Who takes photos of drains? What makes them terrorist suspects?

However, visiting German at the weekend, I was struck by the above example of considered street scene. The drain cover is a carefully curved segment to fit into the cobble (technically ‘setts’) pattern. Bath has a long way to go before it reaches Dusseldorf’s level of public-realm perfection. However, I did appreciate the quick and easy floral display on Blumenstasse, photographed below.

Sydney Gardens rail fence consultation

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.

Drains blocked by BathNES

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.

Tories reject rapid transit review

BathNES Conservatives refused calls for an independent review of the Transport Package which controversially includes the Newbridge bus road and Bathampton meadows Park & Ride.

The Liberal Democrats had called for a review, following the radical changes to the package and protests from residents across the city.

Increasing evidence suggests that alternatives to the Newbridge BRT have not been properly assessed. Where the package has been changed, placing a Park & Ride car park on Bathampton Meadows, residents and the parish council have been poorly consulted. Despite your Lib Dem councillors best efforts, the Tories are determined to ram the package through.

Bridge opening celebrated

Nicholas Coombes joined local walkers and ramblers in celebrating the re-opening of Quarry Road footbridge. The bridge has been recently replaced by the university after a three year absence.

Since the original bridge was closed in 2005 the campaign for its replacement has been at times tortuous, but ultimately successful. Cllr Coombes raised the matter personally with the vice chancellor and has involved the council’s Regulatory & Access Committee. The committee chair, the chief executive of BathNES and other ward councillors had also written to Bath University demanding action. A local group, celebrating yesterday, had threatened legal action to re-open the footpath.

“I am disappointed that the University chose not to use the winner of the student design competition,” said Cllr Coombes, “but at least this bridge is now open. While working for the bridge’s replacement, I have tried to keep local residents informed about progress and also to tell the University know how this was harming their reputation. I hope that we can start to build greater understanding between the institution and its neighbours and we shall shortly be launching a Neighbours Forum to do this.”

Graffiti painted out

Finally the graffiti on Pulteney Road railway bridge has been painted out by network rail.

I first reported this to them in February 2007, 18 months on the job has been done (admittedly in a good light you can stil make out the tag). However, the ground level graffiti tags on the brick arches have not yet been done, so I will have to start phoning again with reminders.

Youth Hostel license granted

In the same week that I re-joined the Youth Hostel Association, Bathwick Hill’s very own Youth Hostel was granted a mch extended alcohol and entertainment license.

The hostel has previously had a license for the sale of alcohol between 11am and 11pm, but following their refurbishment the new license permits for alcohol and entertainment 24 hours per day. The application, 08/02302/LAPRE is at http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/PublicAccess/LI/LiApplication/li_application_detailview.aspx?refval=08/02302/LAPRE

The license was granted because no objections were received. Given the controversy now this would seem odd, except that none of the neighbours (or councillors) knew about the application. Rules preventing the council from ‘soliciting objections’ restrict adverts to one lamp-post sign and one notice in the local paper. Following the planning applications related to the refurbishment, there have been application notices fixed to the nearest lamp post for months, so the neighbours did not notice this different notice until it was too late.

If you think that you are being affected by increased noise or disturbance, please make a record of these occurances for 6 weeks. Concerned residents can then apply for the license to be reviewed, possibly revoked, with these records used as evidence.

Air Quality Management Area

The whole of Bath’s major road network is to be covered by an Air Quality Management Area to tackle unsafe levels of air pollution.

Originally the AQMA covered the London Road up to the Cleveland Bridge, a road with officially the worst air quality in Britain. This being insufficient, the entire major road network is to be included; in Bathwick this inlcudes Bathwick Street and the Warmininster Road until Minster Way. This change will come into effect on 30th July, following a decision made by the cabinet a few months ago.

An Air Quality Management Zone is derrived from the Environment Act and designates an area of special attention for pollution initiatives. When the AQMA was declared for the London Road in 2002, five specific measures were stated. None of these have yet been implemented.

Vodaphone mast hoisted on The Avenue

A third generation mobile phone mast has been installed at the end of The Avenue on Claverton Down.

The mast was given planning permission two years ago, despite fourteen local objections (http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IVHTFKCTWI000). However, in current planning law only the visible attributes of the mast can be considered; in this respect the faux-telegraph pole with rustic finish was acceptable. Nationally the Liberal Democrats seek to change planning laws so that local councils can also consider the electromagnetic radiation when determining mast applications.

Residents may take comfort from the World Health Organisation’s report finding mininal health dangers associated with phone masts (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index5.html). Various anti-mast groups dispute this evidence.

While the phone mast itself is well disguised, the astute searcher will look for the junction box at its base.

Bathwick Liberal Democrats

Cllr David Martin, Claire Jackson & Cllr Nicholas Coombes