On Tuesday this week (26^th October) the government announced its intentions for the funding of transport infrastructure schemes including the Bath Transport Package and the BRT. The Bath Transport Package was not included in the list of ‘green light’ projects which will receive immediate funding; instead it was included in a list of ‘development’ schemes that could be funded in the future. The government has allocated £600 million as a pool of funding for these development schemes.

The Council will now have the opportunity to make a case for funding the Package but the minister announced that when councils re-submit their plans they should consider the scope of the scheme, its cost, lower-cost alternatives and their ability to contribute more locally.

This gives the Council the opportunity to ditch the absurd Conservative bus suprhighway and look again at the Liberal Democrat proposals for extra bus lanes around the Upper and Lower Bristol Roads.  This will be a lot cheaper and more effective solution. It also has the benefit that the proposed BRT route can be transformed into a green corridor for walkers, cyclists, wildlife and a great playarea.

The delay in funding also allows another chance for another look at the Park and Ride requirements on the East of Bath. Currently the COnservatives are planning a huge concrete floor in the Bathampton Meadows floodplain. We can now look at other options and perhaps work in Partnership with Wiltshire to find a better solution for everyone, a solution that will cost less and will certainly be better for the meadows.