WA News

Dear Widcombe Association Member

Quite a bit of importance this month

Clean Air Zone Consultation
The Council are consulting on a Clean Air Zone for central Bath, closing date 24 November. You may well have had a card delivered outlining their proposals. There is a lot more detail at www . bathnes . gov . uk/breathe. Your committee has debated these proposals. A copy of the report prepared for that meeting is attached below.

Poor air quality in the city centre has been a major concern for years. Our Council, along with 27 others, has been mandated to address the problem – the Council has no choice but to do so – with central Government meeting the cost. The Council is consulting on a scheme which would impose a charge for higher emission vehicles when driven within the zone. The charges would be applied once for a 24 hour period.

Few would argue about the importance of improving air quality, particularly in the vicinity of schools and people’s homes. On the other hand, charges would fall on drivers of older vehicles, who on the whole may be less well off. Commuter parking may increase on the periphery, as might ‘rat running’ diversions around the zone. Traders are understandably worried about effects on their livelihoods. There is also the visual impact of signage and number plate recognition cameras throughout the zone.

The Council have acknowledged some of these issues, with proposed exemptions for health workers and others and increased Park and Ride provision. The zone has also been enlarged from that initially envisaged. It now takes in Widcombe Parade, for example, though it is worth stressing that even under the initial proposal there was no route into the Parade that did not pass through part of the zone.  A small group of us have a meeting arranged with Council officials to discuss such points. All WA members are urged to submit their views to the Council.

Rights of Way Consultation
The Council are also updating the Rights of Way Definitive Map of footpaths, bridleways and the like, and are currently consulting with respect to Widcombe Ward. A number of us and other interested individuals had a preliminary meeting with the Rights Of Way Officer (Jenny Nobbs) which ironed out a number of anomalies. Jenny is now consulting more widely, closing date 14 December. This is mainly aimed at clarifying and consolidating the Map; it does not preclude subsequent changes subject to sufficient evidence and due process. Full details and how to respond may be found at: http ://www . bathnes . gov . uk/consultations/public-rights-way-widcombe-ward

Istvan Kakas Memorial Service
As you will have seen if crossing the Halfpenny Bridge, the greatly respected Big Issue seller whose pitch was there, Istvan Kakas, has died. There is to be a memorial service at St Matthew’s Church on Saturday 17 November at 11.00 followed by refreshments. The service is being held without charge by the Church with other costs met by generous public funding. Surplus funds will be donated to Julian House and Dorothy House.

Garden Club Event Cancelled
With heavy hearts Widcombe Garden Club organisers have cancelled the talk by Helen Yemm on 15 November. Insufficient advance ticket sales make this unavoidable. Apologies to all who have booked to attend; you will be contacted individually and full refunds made. As with all local events, small teams work hard to lay them on, but they can proceed only if supported.

Craft Fair
A reminder about the ever popular annual Craft Fair: Saturday/Sunday 17/18 November at Widcombe Social Club. http ://www . widcombeassociation . org . uk/events/

Alan Langton (WA Secretary)