Batheaston Park and Ride - what transport solutions are available?

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

I think it's sufficiently obvious why it was done, so I'll let that comment pass.

Actually I realise that I was sufficiently thick as to completely miss the significance of this first time round. It is just possible that one or two other members may be as thick as I am, so here for their benefit are a few lines from Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell:

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got ^til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

[JayMac]

I was fully aware of the lyrics. I have the song on a compilation on my phone.

I just thought it incongruous driving a vehicle onto a piece of land those opposed to the scheme want to protect from having vehicles drive on it.

My observation was intended to be light hearted. I commited the forum sin of not flagging said comment with a smiley, but I'll let that pass. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Bath park-and-ride decision put on hold


Campaigners staged a protest outside the council meeting

A decision on exactly where a new park-and-ride site will be built on meadows near Bath has been put on hold.

Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) Council voted through the plans, but the specific location was not decided.

A cross-party review into the three proposed sites at Bathampton Meadows will now take place.

It follows a council meeting that lasted until the early hours, which was attended by about 200 members of the public.

A final decision on the specific location is now due to be made early next year.

A group of campaigners staged a protest outside the Guildhall in Bath, where the meeting took place.


The park-and-ride is planned on meadow land to the east of Bath

The park-and-ride site is needed to help alleviate traffic congestion in the city, according to the Conservative-led council, but more than 5,500 people have signed a petition against the plans.

Mark Stephens, from the Save Bathampton Meadows campaign group, said he believed the city was "being really let down".

"My principal concern is that this scheme is being sold as busting congestion and improving air quality, but there's no evidence it's going to do that."

Anthony Clarke, cabinet member for transport, said: "We remain committed to an east of Bath Park and Ride as it has an important role in improving transport, tackling congestion and supporting our local economy. We look forward to seeing the recommendations that come back from the cross-party working group, which will assist the cabinet in coming to a decision early next year."

Conservative MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) for Bath, Ben Howlett, said he was "delighted" with the decision to allow the project to go ahead. "I know there have been vocal opponents of the scheme, but as the MP for Bath it is important I continue to champion what is best for Bath," he said. "From the numerous conversations and correspondence I have received it is clear to me that the majority of Bath residents are in favour of a fourth park-and-ride scheme for the city."

[grahame]

From The Guardian

Bath's Conservative cabinet backs controversial park-and-ride project

Proposal for 800-space car park approved after four-hour meeting, but plans face fierce opposition from residents and opposition councillors

A proposal to create a park-and-ride site on water meadows on the edge of Bath has been backed by the city’s Conservative cabinet despite claims that the project would put its world heritage status at risk.

During a special meeting on Wednesday evening, opponents claimed it was a costly white elephant that would wreck the meadows and precious views of the city. One leading Tory councillor even called the project “evil”.

[etc]

[grahame]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

The owner of land picked as a preferred location for Bath's new park-and-ride says he has no intention of selling it.
The green belt site on the west side of Mill Lane at Bathampton Meadows was chosen by Bath and North East Somerset Council (Banes), on Wednesday night.
It was selected over neighbouring council-owned land, because the 800-car site would be less visible and have potential for a future rail link.
But landowner Steve Horler said there was "absolutely no way" he would sell.
The National Trust has also opposed the plans saying they would "cause significant harm" and "scar the landscape for many years into the future".
The site, according to Banes, was not only chosen because it was close to the city centre but was "well-located for cars coming from the A4, A46 and A363".
But Mr Horler, who runs a holiday let business on his farm, said he "doesn't want to see this beautiful part of Bath destroyed"
"I've got a really successful business in Bathampton Meadows," he said.