B&NES PCT fails to spend over 85% of allocated money to carers

National charities the Princess Royal Trusts for Carers and Crossroads Care have revealed that government money for carers hasn’t been spent to increase support for carers, as intended.

Nationally, the government allocated £50million of new money for carers in 2009/10, and 80% of this money has not been spent as intended. In Bath and North East Somerset, the situation is worse, with under 14% of the allocated money being spent on carers.

Bath MP Don, who spoke at the local Crossroads AGM last Friday, said,

“Carers are the unsung heroes of our society. Over half give up work to care, and 33% are in debt. Yet they provide a service which is worth £87billion per year to the state.

“It is therefore very disappointing the Bath & North East Somerset PCT have chosen to spend money allocated for carers on other projects, with over 85% of the allocated money being spent on areas other than caring.

“The government must also take responsibility for the fact that this money isn’t reaching its intended target. They must put pressure on PCTs to spend this money on helping our carers.”

Progress made toward launch of Tracker system

Significant progress has been made toward the commencement of the Tracker system and Noise Monitor at Bristol International Airport.

The systems, which will enable the airport to monitor aircraft to ensure they fly within the correct airspace arrangements, are due to be formally launched at the end of October, with a possible second phase including an online facility for residents to track the height of aircraft.

Over the course of many months, Bath MP, Don Foster has been working hard to ensure the Tracker system gets up and running. He commented,

“After many delays, I am delighted that the Tracker system now seems to be on course to start working in the near future.

“I hope that, over time, this system and proposed ‘tracking’ website will play a useful role in reducing the disruption felt by many Bath residents.”

Council must act to replace number 12 bus – Foster

Bath MP Don Foster is calling on Bath & North East Somerset Council to find a new operator for the number 12 service, which has been axed without warning by First Bus.

Don said:

“It is disappointing that at a time when we are trying to encourage more people to use public transport that First Bus are once again putting their shareholders ahead of the public.

“The Council must now work to find a new operator for the 12 route, which is vital not just for those in Southdown, but also those who have to travel to Haycombe Cemetery.”

Post Office still committed to Weston

Bath MP Don Foster can confirm that Post Office Ltd is still committed to having an office in Weston village, following the closure of the existing branch earlier this year.

Unfortunately, commercial negotiations have not progressed as quickly and easily as hoped, but Don has remained in constant communication with Post Office Ltd and is confident that they will find a solution and restore the service.

Don said,

“I have been in regular contact with those at Post Office Ltd over Weston village post office. I know it is very frustrating for residents to have lost their service for so long, but Post Office Ltd have given me no indication that they are even considering withdrawing the service permanently.

“There are talks still on-going, and a new premise has just become available on the high street, which provides an extra option. The high costs which forced the previous branch to close have proved a significant barrier in re-opening on the same site.

“Residents can rest assured that should Post Office Ltd give me any indication that they are thinking of withdrawing the service then I will campaign vigourously against this. I will continue to press on Post Office Ltd the importance of getting this service restored as quickly as possible.”

Many residents have also raised the issue of Car Tax being unavailable in the local area. The DVLA does not permit a temporary switch of Car Tax provisions, so removing it from Weston now might impact on interest for a new branch in the village.

Reaction to Secretary of State’s decision on the BRT

Bath MP Don Foster has commented on today’s announcement that the Secretary of State will not be calling in the proposed-Bus Rapid Transit link through Newbridge (along with the Newbridge Park and Ride extension) for his own determination.

Don said,

“I am deeply disappointed with the decision made by the Secretary of State. However, this does not change my view that processes followed by the Council throughout have been seriously flawed.

“I, along with Liberal Democrat colleagues on the Council, will now talk to residents to see if they wish to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.”

Bus service changes in the Bath area from 29 November

More changes to local bus services:

“I am writing to give you early notification of some service changes that we are planning to make in the Bath area and Wiltshire.

Over recent months the changes in the wider economy have meant that less people are travelling. To reflect this and better match our resources to current demand, we’re making some changes to local bus services from 29 November.

Buses between Chippenham and Bath will be changing following requests from customers and careful analysis of actual travel patterns. The services will be:

Service 231 – running every hour from Pewsham to Chippenham, following the existing route through Corsham and then to Bath.
Service 232 – running every hour, again from Pewsham to Chippenham, but following the current route of service 233 in Corsham, before continuing to Bath.

As a consequence, and due to low customer use since its introduction in February 2009, Service 233 will no longer run. There is no change on Sundays.

Elsewhere, we’ve aimed to minimise the impact of these changes on customers by where possible, concentrating on individual journeys where there are easily accessible alternative options. Several services will see a slight decrease in overall frequency to reflect the fall in demand.

We will no longer be operating Service 12, which runs between Bath City Centre and Whiteway, on a commercial basis on Monday – Saturday from 29 November due to low customer use. The tendered journeys on Sundays and Public Holidays will be unaffected for the time being. Bath and North East Somerset Council is considering options to provide a possible replacement service for the rest of the week.

Buses between Midsomer Norton and Bath via Peasedown St John will be changing with a bus running every 20 minutes rather than every 15 minutes at off peak times on Monday to Saturday. Services 173 (Bath – Wells), 178 (Bath – Bristol) and 184 (Bath – Frome) will all run hourly at off peak times.

The timetables of services 178 and 184 will be changing to ensure an even frequency, with most journeys on Service 184 leaving Bath 5 minutes later and 10 minutes earlier from Frome. The timetable of Service 173 and services on Sundays will not be changing.

Other changes include:

Service 2 – Combe Down – Ensleigh: Following customer requests, the journey leaving Ensleigh at 1832 will be extended to Combe Down rather than terminating at the City Centre. Two other journeys from Combe Down will leave slightly earlier: the current departure at 0722 will leave at 0719 from 29 November, and the bus departing at 0735 will leave five minutes earlier at 0730. Two morning journeys to Ensleigh will no longer run due to low customer use. These are the journeys leaving the City Centre at 0742 and Combe Down at 0825.

Service 5 – Bus Station – Twerton: Following customer requests to improve punctuality, the frequency of buses at off peak times on Monday to Friday and all day on Saturdays will be changed to run every 15 minutes rather than every 12 minutes. This will allow for congestion along the route especially on Lower Bristol Road. The stop at Lower Bristol Road, Twerton Arch will no longer be served due to safety concerns. The nearest alternative bus stops are at Lansdown View or at the junction of Shophouse Road and the High Street.

Service 13 – Foxhill – Bathford: To improve overall punctuality, the frequency of buses on Monday to Saturday will be changed to run every 15 minutes rather than every 20 minutes

Service X39 – Bath – Bristol: In line with customer demand, on weekday mornings, buses from Bath Bus Station between 0700 and 0900 will run every 15 minutes instead of every 12 minutes. Buses from Bristol Bus Station between 0800 and 1000 will also run every 15 minutes. Buses will continue to run every 12 minutes throughout the day at off peak times.

Service 179 Bath – Midsomer Norton (via Timsbury, Farnborough and High Littleton): At peak times on Monday to Saturdays, this service will be changing to run between Bath and Farnborough only. This affects three morning journeys and one afternoon journey – leaving Midsomer Norton at 0636, 0708 (0718 on Saturdays) and 0901, and the journey leaving Bath at 1730. Customers wishing to travel between Farnborough and Midsomer Norton at peak times may catch service 178. There are no changes at off peak times.

Service 234 – Chippenham – Frome: One journey currently leaving Chippenham Bus Station at 1625 (Mon – Sat) will leave 5 minutes later at 1630 to enable students at Chippenham college to catch the bus.

We plan to announce this to our customers shortly with on bus posters and leaflets. Information about these and other changes in Bristol, Weston and Somerset will also be available on our website from tomorrow.

Timetables will be available approximately two weeks before the change.

All changes are Monday to Friday unless stated.

Kind regards

Justin Davies
Managing Director
First Bristol Somerset and Avon