The Conservative-run Cabinet of Bath and North East Somerset Council is determined to railroad the Bus Rapid Transit through against the wishes of residents, according to Lib Dem Councillors who have tabled a last ditch motion to the November Full Council meeting hoping to ensure a proper debate takes place.
It is understood that many residents who will be affected by the BRT and other aspects of the Bath Transportation Package intend to protest at the Council meeting on 20th November.
It seems that the Conservative-run Cabinet is determined to railroad through the BRT and not to listen to any opposition. At the last two meetings of the Council Cabinet the Leader has changed the rules on public speaking each time to prevent Councillors and residents from having their say on an issue that was and is of great importance to many local people across city.
The way that this Conservative administration is running roughshod over local people is a disgrace. They feel it is perfectly acceptable to make changes to the proposed Park and Ride site to the East of Bath but refuse to countenance changes to the BRT route – despite the lack of proof of the benefits of the chosen route. Furthermore, they have changed the area of the Newbridge Park and Ride expansion since the adoption of the Local Plan and the Joint Local Transport Plan.
The debate we will have at November meeting of Full Council is a vital opportunity for representations to be made direct to the Cabinet members – especially given that they refused a debate at the previous Council meeting and have sought to suppress discussion on this issue.
However from their attacks on the Liberal Democrat Group at the recent Cabinet meeting it would appear the Conservatives are more interested in talking about who voted for what and when in the past, rather than looking at what is happening now. Cabinet members should accept that the Local Plan and Local Transport Plan upon which the Council has previously voted do not reflect the current schemes for the Bath Transportation Package.