Mobile Phone mast proposal for Monksdale Road

T-MOBILE (UK) Ltd have approached Cllr Shaun McGall and Cllr Ruth Griffiths about siting a base station at Oldfield Park Sub Station on Monksdale Road to provide communications to The Oval area of Oldfield Park.

Shaun and Ruth have responded to T-Mobile, stating that they think the base station should not be sited on the Oldfield Park Sub Station, because of it's location opposite the Sandpits children's play area, is only a few yards away from a residential area and also, is relatively close to the St John's RC Primary School.

Ricky Creed from Tycoelectronics is acting on behalf of T-Mobile (UK) Ltd. He has told Ruth and Shaun that the sub station at Monksdale Road is the most suitable site for the base station, which will consist of a 15m monopole mast, 3 no.3G/2G (Combined) antennae, 1 No. Equipment Cabinet and ancillary development.

We want your comments on this proposal. Please let us know:

Cllr Shaun McGall Tel: 01225 357983 shaun_mcgall@bathnes.gov.uk
Cllr Ruth Griffiths Tel: 01225 422574 ruth_griffiths@bathnes.gov.uk

A load of old rubbish or a potential resource? Have your say...

The latest ‘Rubbish or Resource?’ consultation starts on Thursday, 25 January and continues until Friday, 23 March 2007.
This is your opportunity to have your say about how we should deal with residual waste in the West of England.

Residual waste is all the rubbish which is left over after we have recycled and composted all we can. Landfill sites are rapidly running out of space and should only be used as a last resort. There are seven viable options which are alternatives to landfill. Which would you favour? And…where should it/they be located?

The Liberal Democrat Group on the Council is absolutely committed to recycling and reducing rubbish and we have set ourselves a long term goal of Zero Waste. In 2000 the Council was awarded Beacon Status by the government for its waste and recycling services. Currently 40% of our rubbish goes this way. The Lib Dem Group in the Council will continue to support waste reduction and recycling schemes in line with the Waste Hierarchy.

If you want to visit the website and take part in the consultation click here.

Or you can download the consultation document and questionnaire here.

More trains, Less strain Public Meeting

If you want to help with or participate in a direct action protest related to First Great Western, come to the "More Train, Less Strain" public meeting, at 6.15 p.m. Tuesday 16th January 2007 at the United Reform Church Hall, Grove Street, Bath.

You can also help to stop the train chaos by signing our petition to First Great Western.

An update on our petition was reported on today's Bath Chronicle.

Planning Applications in Oldfield Ward w/c 12/01/07

Any representations on these applications should be made to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath, BA1 2DP to arrive not later than the 02/02/2007.

App Ref: 07/00001/FUL
Registered: 03/01/2007
Expiry Date: 28/02/2007
Location: 24 Second Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 3NN
Grid: 373895 163940
Proposal: Erection of a single storey extension, external alterations
and provision of a rear dormer window
Case Officer: Danijela Karac
Applicant: Nick Tyler
Applicant Address: 38 Reedley Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. BS9 3SU
Agent Name: Batterham Matthews Design Ltd
Agent Address: 1 Tollbridge Studios, Tollbridge Rd, Bath. BA1 7DE


To find out more about this application click here.

Stop the Train Chaos

Help stop the train chaos by signing our petition to First Great Western.

Say No 2 Nuclear Power

I am writing to update you on the Liberal Democrats campaign against the new generation of nuclear power stations, as the Government intends.

We passed a small milestone in the new year with the closure of the world’s two oldest nuclear power plants - Dungeness A in Kent and Sizewell A in Suffolk. They graphically show the hidden costs of generating power from nuclear, and why it is that not a single private company has been prepared to invest in nuclear plant anywhere in the world since Chernobyl without lashings of government subsidy.

The costs of decommissioning of Dungeness alone are estimated at more than £1.5 billion, with more than £70 billion for nuclear waste and decommissioning in the UK as a whole.

Sometimes people argue that we need new nuclear plants because otherwise we will become too reliant on gas, but the sorry truth is that it is too late.

Given the lead times on any new technology or nuclear plants, we are going to become more reliant on gas.

The key question is what we then do to cut our over-reliance on it: energy-saving and renewables can kick in with practical contributions to cutting our carbon emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050.

The Lib Dems are bringing forward new proposals shortly to save energy from our homes, and our green tax switch campaign has shown how we can cut carbon emissions from planes and gas-guzzling cars.

This year we intend to go on mapping out a non-nuclear future with practical, costed plans to make our society sustainable.

Sign our petition hereNo2nuclear.

Rail commuters 'want more trains'

A campaign to cut over-crowding has been launched by frustrated rail commuters in the west of England.

The More Train, Less Strain group wants First Great Western to provide more trains on its routes.

The train company recently took over the Wessex Trains franchise and re-vamped its timetable, leading to complaints from many passengers including those who regularly use Oldfield Park station.

It said it is now reviewing the timetable, and monitoring the situation.

Simon Carpenter, Frome resident and campaign co-ordinator, said: "The overcrowding of trains is scandalous.

"It is becoming increasingly common place for passengers to be left standing at stations because trains are already at bursting point."

This is the letter posted on the First Great Western website from Glenda Lamont, Customer Services Director, detailing how tey claim they are addressing customer concerns about the new timetable:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Customer,

I know many of you are concerned about the changes to your journey as a result of the recent timetable changes.

Some of these issues have arisen because of our own operational problems, others because we recognise elements of the timetable haven’t met all customers’ needs.

We have an opportunity in December 2007 to change the timetable again, however, I understand for many people a quicker solution is required.

Whilst not wishing to promise something we cannot deliver, the purpose of this note is to assure you we have a team of people looking at what may be possible for early in the New Year.

May I take this opportunity of sending you season’s greetings from all at First Great Western.

Glenda Lamont
Customer Services Director
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why not email First and tell them what you think or call a member of their Customer Services Team on: 08457 000 125 (open daily, 0700 to 2200).

Forthcoming roadworks in Oldfield Ward

To find out more about forthcoming roadworks in the Oldfield Ward please click here.

Planning Applications in Oldfield Ward w/c 1/01/07

Any representations on these applications should be made to Development Control, Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath, BA1 2DP to arrive not later than the 26/01/2007.

App Ref: 06/04233/FUL
Registered: 22/12/2006 Expiry Date: 16/02/2007
Location: 12 Poplar Close, Moorlands, Bath BA2 2HY
Grid: 373750 163672
Proposal: Erection of a conservatory to rear
Case Officer: Rachel Le Huray
Applicant: Mrs Hanney
Applicant Address:12 Poplar Close, Moorlands, Bath, BA2 2HY
Agent Name: AJ Brown
Agent Address: 16 Harrington Avenue, Stockwood, Bristol, BS14 8JT

To find out more about this application click here.