Vote for Connect2 and improve walking and cycling in and around Bath

£50 million, four competitors and only one winner. The polls are open. Have you voted yet?
Two projects to create new cycle routes in Bath and Norton Radstock are part of the 79 schemes UK-wide that will happen if Sustrans’ Connect2 wins, so please vote to bring a share of £50 million to our area.

You can play your part in winning the bid by voting and asking everyone you know to vote too. Just a few moments of your time could make all the difference.

You can vote online now at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk. Telephone voting will begin on Friday 7 December. All voting concludes at 12 noon on Monday 10 December. The telephone number will be able on the sustrans website.

Two formerly glorious but long disused railway tunnels will become part of an exciting cycle and walking route between Midford and Bath. There are three opportunities to vote for this project to win the funding - online now, and by landline and mobile from 7 December. All voting concludes at midday 10 December, with the winner announced on 12 December.

The Two Tunnels Greenway Project will create something to enjoy for cycle commuters, families, walkers and tourists from a series of disconnected parts of the old Somerset and Dorset railway, running south from Bath and beneath Combe Down. It will link to the Bath-Bristol cycle path at the northern end and also give commuters from Midsomer Norton and Radstock a pleasant, flat route into Bath from the South.

The project is part of a national project by sustainable transport charity Sustrans and is supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council. Sustrans has battled its way into a shortlist of four organisations competing for the £50 million pot to fund projects around the country, under the National Lottery’s The People’s Millions scheme.

The Sustrans project is called Connect2. If it wins in December, it will see hundreds of miles of walking and cycling routes spring up around the UK – providing extra bridges, extra links - improving travel and reducing our carbon footprint. Two Tunnels is just one of the many projects included in this scheme.

The multi-user path will join Bath and Midford by a virtually flat system of tunnels and impressive overland paths following the existing disused railway. The route makes a wide sweep through Oldfield Park, surfaces in the secretive Lyncombe Vale and finally emerges in beautiful open country at Tucking Mill, before joining the long distance Sustrans NCN24 route at Midford.
The campaign promoters expect the 'Two Tunnels' route to benefit businesses, residents and visitors. They believe it will encourage visitors to stay for more than a simple two-hour visit to the city centre, and make more use of what Bath has to offer. It will also secure the future for the impressive railway structures on this famous old route, and offers a chance to make good use of some of Bath's more under-appreciated assets, reclaiming them for residents and visitors.
However, the route first has to be built, and while much of the work has already been done courtesy of the Victorian engineers who built the railway, it will cost an estimated £1.8 million to complete.

The businesses of Bath & North East Somerset can help by alerting their staff and their clients to this opportunity to vote for something good for Bath & North East Somerset. Organisers are asking businesses to ask their staff and clients to sign up for a voting reminder at www.sustransconnect2.org.uk.

For more information on the Two Tunnels Greenway, see:http://www.twotunnels.org.uk/

For information on Sustrans Connect2, visit: http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/

Don Foster seeks votes for local Two Tunnels project

Bath Member of Parliament, Don Foster, is urging people to give backing to bikes by voting for charity Sustrans in a lottery competition to win a £50 million boost. Don Foster is leading a parliamentary bid to win support for the green transport group, which is on a shortlist of four for the Big Lottery Fund's People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway.

The Liberal Democrat MP has joined forces with Labour former Home Secretary Charles Clarke to table a Commons motion backing the Sustrans Connect2 project. The aim is to revitalise walking and cycling in 79 locations by creating new routes for journeys, with crossings and bridges over busy roads, railway lines, rivers and canals. Mr Foster said the Bath area's Two Tunnels initiative would give residents an easy and interesting flat, straight route between Midford and Bath, linked to other cycle and walking routes at both ends. He said: "The Two Tunnels scheme is one of the most exciting cycling and walking projects planned by Sustrans across the country as part of its Connect2 project."

The winner of the money will be decided by a TV programme and telephone vote in early December, with the Bath scheme hoping to get £1.1 million if Sustrans wins. The Commons motion urges people to vote for the "exciting UK-wide project" because it would promote sustainable travel by connecting millions of people to the places they want to go. Sustrans hopes to restore Isambard Kingdom Brunel's swivel bridge in the docks area in Bristol as part of the project, four decades after it stopped working. London mayor Ken Livingstone and the Olympic Delivery Authority are among other supporters of Connect2, which will also benefit Weymouth, one of the 2012 venues.

Online voting begins on Monday, November 26, with telephone lines opening on Friday, December 7, and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly championing the Sustrans bid on an ITV1 show on Tuesday, December 4.

Anyone registering at http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk,/will be reminded to take part in the poll.

The Two Tunnel website also has more information.

Community to be at heart of new planning policies

Work to put together a new generation of planning policies which will set out the broad locations for new housing, jobs and community facilities hasbeen launched by the Council.

The new Council’s (conservative) Cabinet met in early September to consider the launch of the Core Strategy which will lead to a planning “blueprint” for development and regeneration across the district.

Local residents are invited to have their say on the plan from 25 September (until 17 December). This will give residents the earliest opportunity in helping to identify issues around the use of land.

The Core Strategy is the first of a new generation of planning policy documents. It will become the key document used by the Council to underpin decisions on a wide range of planning issues- from planning applications, to negotiations around regeneration and the location of new housing. The Strategy will come into force from 2010 to 2026.

Before the Council decides on specific proposals for the use of land, it wants to set out the best ways of working with the public to identify their views on the future use of land in urban and rural areas.

The Core Strategy will be a key document in articulating and delivering some elements of other strategies, in particular the Sustainable Community Strategy and emerging Council 'Visions'.

The Council has identified a number of key issues that will be facing the district over the next 20 years, it would like to hear further suggestions about what matters to local communities and their views on the issues that the Council has identified. The Council will involve residents from the earliest opportunity so that they can have a direct input on planning issues of the future.
This Strategy is required of all local authorities by the Government, the Council must work within national Government guidelines and regional policies set out by the South West Regional Assembly. The guidelines cover a range of issues required by economic growth, including provision of new housing, locations of retail businesses, and environmental issues. The Council is required to meet specific targets around these issues.

It is important to remember that the Council does not have a blank canvas when it comes to planning for the future of our area- there are national and regional planning policies and standards which must followed. However it is in the Core Strategy that local decisions will be made which will have a direct impact on the future use of land in urban and rural areas.’

Cllr Sandry and Cllr McGall hope that the public consultation will spark-off discussions about the future of the area and espeically Oldfield Park. The Core Strategy will have an impact on everyday life for people who live and work in the district.

Take a look at our Core Strategy launch document and other publicity material www.bathnes.gov.uk/corestrategy

Updates on consultation can be found here:

http://consultations.bathnes.gov.uk/inovem/consult.ti/Core_Strategy/listevents

For more information contact the Planning Policy Team.

Planning Applications in Oldfield Ward w/c 23/03/07

All representation must arrive no later than the 15th April 2007.

Ward: Oldfield
App Ref: 07/00558/AR
Registered: 14th March 2007
Expiry Date: 9th May 2007
Location: 50 Moorland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 3PJ
Grid Ref: (E)373770 - (N)164236
Proposal: Display of 1 no. externally-illuminated fascia sign and 1 no. non-illuminated projecting sign
Planning Case Officer: Lewis Cook
Applicant: H Backhouse (Baker Street) Ltd, 12A St Margarets Street, Bradford On Avon, BA15 1DA
Agent: RPS Planning (Swindon), Suites 55 And 58, Cherry Orchard East, Kembrey Park, Swindon, SN2 8UQ

To find out more about this application click here.


All representation must arrive no later than the 15th April 2007.

Ward: Oldfield
App Ref: 07/00860/CLEU
Registered: 13th March 2007
Expiry Date: 8th May 2007
Location: Stokes Masonry The Smallholdings Claude Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 1AF
Grid Ref: (E)373535 - (N)163870
Proposal: Use of land and buildings as a stone masons yard (Certificate of Lawfulness)
Planning Case Officer: Lewis Cook
Applicant: Stokes Masonry (Bath) Ltd, Stokes Masonry The Smallholdings, Claude Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 1AF
Agent: Mr Michael Swinton, 11 Kingsmead Close, Holcombe, Bath.BA3 5DR

To find out more about this application click here.


All representation must arrive no later than the 15th April 2007.

Ward: Oldfield
App Ref: 07/00873/FUL
Registered: 16th March 2007
Expiry Date: 11th May 2007
Location: 30 - 31 Moorland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 3PW
Grid Ref: (E)373729 - (N)164346
Proposal: Erection of lantern light to flat roof at rear of property (No. 30)
Planning Case Officer: Danijela Karac
Applicant: Loungers Ltd, C/O Goldbrick House, 69 Park Street, West End, Bristol.BS1 5PB
Agent: Richard Pedlar Architects, 4 Grove Rd, Redland, Bristol. BS6 6UJ

To find out more about this application click here.

Oldfield Outlook - Action Plan and Vision - Update

Introduction

At the end of 2002, surveys were carried out to find out what people liked about the Oldfield Park area and what could be improved. Questionnaires were mailed to 3,000 residents, delivered to 60 businesses and 75 on-street face to face interviews were carried out with people visiting the area. Over 1,000 responses to the questionnaires were recieved.

In 2003 a public exhibition was held in the entrance hall of the Co-operative Scala in Oldfield Park presenting the findings of this survey and giving people the opportunity to comment on the proposed actions and five year vision. Over 650 people visited the Exhibition over three days, overall proposals were weclomed and feedback positive.

Since that exhibition, Oldfield Outlook continues to consult with the public, and has publicised the action plan and vision, lobbying the support. Oldfield Outlook has receieved support from the Council Executive and Local Strategic Partnership and continues to win the backing of wider stakeholders.

Oldfield Outlook is apartnership project between Bath and North East Somerset Council, Moorland Road Traders Association, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and representatives of local residents.

Within the Council many people and services are involved in this project co-ordinated by the Local Partnerships section of the Council. They include the local Councillors, Parking, Traffic Management, Community Safety, Youth and Community and Planning.

The Vision

As the century progresses and lifestle changes require different levels of services, the Oldfield Park area is well equipped to provide a stable and attractive environment for both residents to enjoy and businesses to flourish.

The most important characteristics of the Oldfield Park - its strong community spirit, excellent shopping and friendly place to live and visit - will be encouraged. Challenges that need to be faced include the increaing level of traffic and its associated congestion and mangement. Together with the recent changes to the profile of the resident population, these issues will be addressed in co-operation and liaison with the various representative bodies.

A sharper focus on the retail mix will enable Moorland Road to continue to provide the pleasant experience of finding everything a shopper needs in one place.

Crime and safety issues, both for the residential and business population, will be at the forefront of making the Oldfield Park area an even safer place.

Activities for younger members of society need to be developed with a view to establishing better relationships and generating a spirit of community and civic pride within that age group.

The Oldfield Park area has some challenges but many opportunities for change that will benefit the whole community. It will continue to be a place with its own very distinctive identity; a place in which people will positively choose to live, work and visit.

The Action Plan

The Action Plan summarises the main featurers and proposals from the surveys and helps to focus the way forward over a short, medium and long term period.

Six key themes emerged from the surveys:

• Community;


• Housing;


• Shops and Services;


• Transport and Parking;


• Crime and Safety;


• Enviroment.

The results of the consultation and propsed actions have been set out under these themes.

Community

• The Oldfield Park area is recognised for its community spirit and village feeling, 31% of residents said that this was one of the best things about the area;


• The questionnaire shows that the majority of residents (62%) have lived in the area for 10 or more years;


• There is a diverse population (retired people, students, professionals and families);


• Many people commented on the lack of activities and facilities for younger people;


• Oldfield Park is viewed as a friendly place in which to live, work and visit;


• There are several churches in the area, their contribution to the local community is valued.

Housing

• An increasing number of houses are multiple occupancy;


• Many houses are occupied by students who attend the University of Bath and Bath Spa University;


• Increased traffic congestion, parking problems and untidy gardens are attributed in part to the changing profile of the resident population.

Shops and Services

• Moorland Road area is seen as the heart of the Oldfield Park area;


• 28% of residents use the area everyday and 45% use it 2-4 times a week;


• Moorland Road Traders Association is recognised by businesses and residents alike for its work on promoting the area and arranging special events (e.g. Flower Day, Christmas Lights);


• There is concern over the number of charity shops and estate agents;


• 93% of residents use the lcoal Post Office;


• The area is well served by schools and healthcare facilities;


• 72% of resident respondents mentioned the shops as one of the best things about the area;


• There are over 60 shops providing a diverse range of products and services. The majority of shops are small independent businesses, however the area has attacted national chains such as Woolworths, Co-operative Scala and Greggs;


• People would like to see a cafe / restaurant, delicatessen and a clothes shop.

Transport and Parking

• The area is seen as easily accessible and convenient;


• 35% of residents made positve comments auch as 'good' and 'fine' about the traffic layout in the are, however issues regarding illegal and hazzardous parking and crossing roads were raised;


• 75%of residents walk and 15% drive to the Moorland Road area. Over 50% ofvistors use their car to get to Moorland Road;


• Parking was seen as the worst thing about the Oldfield Park area, it was mentioned by 27% of residents;


• 60% of visitors to the area stated that it was difficult or very difficult to park their vehicle;


• 60% of those using the bus to get to the area viewed the service as poor or very poor;


• 50% of businessed find deliveries difficult to achieve near their premises;


• A large number of residents said that they would like to see more crossing facilities.

Residents Parking
Althought a review of residents' parking is not currently part of the action plan we welcome comments on the possibility of introducing a controlled parking zone in parts of the Oldfield Outlook area.

Crime and Safety

• Residents viewed crime as one of the worst things about the area (17% mentioned it);


• The main fears are vehicle crime, nusiance / disorder and domestic burglary;


• The majority (90%) of residents feel safe during the day;


• Fear of crime amongst visitors to the area is low;


• Fear of crime after dark is a problem, this is thought to be connected to young people congregating;


• Fear of crime after dark is highest amongst the 56+ age groups;


• The main concerns for businesses are commercial burglary and nusinance disorder;


• The Alleygater scheme is seen as a good way of reducing burglary. Residents and businesses generally support the idea of installing more;


• 58% of residents would use a Local Police Reporting Centre;


• Police Constable Middleton covers the whole of Oldfield Ward.

Additional information
Alleygaters are gates used to limit access to properities through a back alley. This can reduce the number of burglaries as it is harder to access the premises, and harder to get away with any stolen goods.

Environment

• The Linear Way and parks in the area are seen as assets;


• More attention needs to be given to street cleanliness (e.g. dog fouling and litter);


• 16% of residents mentioned litter and rubbish as one of the worst things about the area;


• The maintenance of pavements and roads needs to be improved;


• Some damage comes from delivery vehicles and cars parking on pavements and grass verges.