Bath MP Don Foster can reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering leaving all of their premises in Bath. Previously, the MoD had admitted that it was planning to move Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) services out of sites in Foxhill and Warminster Road, but it was assumed MoD staff would remain at Ensleigh. Now the MoD is studying the possibility of moving Ensleigh staff to the new site in Abbey Wood.

Bath MP Don Foster has written to the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones MP, asking for further information and to secure a meeting to discuss the subject. Don said,

This announcement is worrying, as it could see further jobs leaving Bath. Ensleigh has just had a major IT infrastructure upgrade, so I believe it makes sense to keep MoD jobs at the site. Any move would also increase congestion in the area, as Bath-based staff would have to make their way to Abbey Wood.

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The Council’s Cabinet member responsible for transport has been accused of putting the Two Tunnels shared path project at risk by delaying a decision on the Council’s support package, including £396,000 in capital funding.

Cllr Paul Crossley (Southdown), Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, has written to the Cabinet member responsible for this decision to urge him to approve the funding. Cllr Crossley said:

This is an amazing project and it is right that the Council should support it. The Lib Dems want to see the tunnels brought back to life as a new cycle way into and out of the city. The delay in approving the Council package of involvement for the project is putting the whole scheme at risk. It’s time for the dithering to stop.

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A number of contracts for bus services supported by the Council are due to expire in August/September 2010. In advance of inviting tenders for replacement services, the Council is inviting views of Councillors, operators, and other stakeholders affected by these services, before the contract specifications are finalised. These contracts include the 20A/C Bath Circular service.

The Council wants to make people aware of the following issues in considering your response to this consultation:
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Cllrs Roger Symonds and Cherry Beath now believe that they have enough information to give an in-principle welcome to B&NES Council’s proposals.

Cllr Symonds said:

“There have been many questions from us and from the public about the proposals. Most have been satisfactorily answered. We recognise that there will still be many people suspicious of this change, but we can identify only advantages. Outwardly, we believe that the community will see little difference.”

Cllr Cherry Beath said:

“It is the Community’s desire to protect and safeguard the Firs over the long term, and we would not be recommending this to the Community if we did not believe there are tangible benefits over and above the current position. It is in the Council’s interest to make the new arrangements work better for the Field because they wish also to solve the problem of keeping Bath Rugby on the Rec.”