i'm not sure of the exact date that the works were completed on the canal bridge (by Tescos) but it can't be more than 10 days ago. Since then the traffic island has been damaged twice by buses or cars.

this raises a few issues:
1. safety. the whole point of these works was surely to increase safety for pedestrians crossing at the bridge, presumable by reducing traffic speed thanks to a narrower road. but it would already seem to be clear that safety is being seriously REDUCED as this island is now a major obstacle for vehicles, with a tiny margin of error for larger vehicles. if someone is on this island when a vehicle collides with the kerb stones or signage i dread to think of the consequences.

2. who is responsible for 'designing' the road changes? surely they made some major errors when planning the new island and widths of the road, bearing in mind the bendy buses? one side of the island seems to give the bendy buses a margin of error of about 3 inches! add to this future tescos delivery lorries parking below the bridge and will this not get even worse?

If you have objections to the current Council intentions to increase residents parking permit charges by about 65% and extend the city centre paying times to 8.00pm you may be interested in a 'hearing' on this.
The full details of the proposed changes are available to see at:
••• http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/Committee%5Fpapers/Executive/WL/2008/080222/02...

This decision is being 'called-in' by the city LibDem group, and this hearing will take place on Monday April 7th, at 10.00 at the Guildhall. Members of the public can attend. If you wish to speak you can but should first arrange to do so by emailing scrutiny@bathnes.gov.uk

You can also register your opposition by signing the petition at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/BathResidentsParkingCharg
Comments r

2 lots of roadworks will be carried out from today (31 March 2008).
In the first instance Brassknocker Hill and the road junction at the viaduct to Winsley will be closed for 3 weeks. Secondly the viaduct section of the A36 will be closed for 12 weeks.
Details of alternative routes can be found here: http://www.kesbath.com/cgi-local/artman/exec/search.cgi?cat=1&fields=art...

Would you be interested in joining a theatre/film group? If you would be interested in joining a group from our area to go to an occasional theatre or film in the evening please contact Claire Jackson on 01225 464 228 or e-mail her on claire.jackson77@virgin.net. This group would be a good opportunity to meet with others to enjoy some interesting drama/film on offer locally - optionally we could include a discussion after the event over a drink/coffee. Please let Claire know the type of drama/film you would be interested in and possible evenings that would suit you. The proposal would be to meet up once a month initially - however you would not need to commit to a regular attendance!

20th February - Channel 4, 21:00
(repeated Saturday 23rd at 20:00)

••• Chronicle story, 24th January
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163061&command=displa...

http://www.betterbath.org.uk
"The Better Bath Forum is a new initiative in Bath to promote public discussion of important local issues.

The aim is to get important proposals and issues discussed at an early stage, while the position is fluid, so that people‚s views of can be taken on board. We think there have been too many recent examples where public engagement has come at a late stage of the process, when it has been difficult to take it into account. This has tended to lead to argument, delay and increased cost without necessarily improving the eventual outcome.

The Forum is being set up purely to promote discussion. Anyone with an important local issue will be able to make use of it, but it will not become another lobbying body and it will be completely non-political.

The first meeting will take place on 10 March at 18.00 for 18.30 in St Michael‚s Church, Broad Street, Bath, on the subject of: Expansion of Bath - how can it be managed without spoiling the City?

The second Police and Communities Together meeting will take place in Bathwick St Mary's Church Hall on Wednesday 30th February from 7pm. Like the first public meeting, residents are invited to voice their concerns (or celebrations) about local matters related to the Police or BathNES Council. Cllr Nicholas Coombes and representative from the Police and council will attempt to find solutions or explanations.

In October the PaCT meeting agreed that their top priorities were the incomplete Sydney Road traffic scheme, anti-social behaviour in Sydney Gardens and on street parking around Warminster Road. This is your chance to vote for another set to be tackled.

Public meeting: plan of action regarding Tesco Express on Bathwick Hill

Jan 7th St Mary’s Church 7.30pm

From Claire:
"The Bathwick community worked really hard to keep the Tesco Express out. A majority of the residents and even the council didn’t want it, but Tesco bullied their way in. This isn’t the end. Due to many residents sending in opposition forms to the extended liquor license Tesco have applied for, there will be a hearing on the 14th Jan. To discuss this, any other actions we can take, and to plan safeguards against future occurrences, we’d love to see you at this public meeting."

"We are a mixture of local groups with diverse concerns surrounding this issue. Contact Claire 07814 677458"

Tesco Liquor License Application: EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

Tesco have applied for a liquor license for the store they intend to open on Bathwick Hill early next year.
Their application states that the store will be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day and Tesco want a licence to sell liquor between those hours every day. However. the planning inspector who allowed Tesco's appeal gave approval for the store on the specific condition that it was only open between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on any day.

Anyone who would like to object to the application should go to the Public Access section of the B&NES website (http://planning.bathnes.gov.uk/publicaccess), fill in the application reference (07/03681/LAPRE), click to view, and submit a comment online. This way you get a wider choice of grounds for objection than you do with the standard paper form. Copies of that form can be had from Sarah Pooley (21SB) or by visiting the B&NES Licensing Department, currently at Northgate House, Upper Borough Walls.

For the revised extension scheme: http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displa...

The Combe Down/Midford cycleway scheme now has planning permission (see http://www.twotunnels.org.uk). A message from the Two Tunnels people: "We have planning permission! The Two Tunnels project went through unanimously and in around 15 minutes. Now we need that Connect2 vote...
*When* to vote: *now* until 10th December
*How* to vote: you'll need to register an email address and vote here: http://www.thepeoples50million.org.uk "

As you may know, the Holburne has revised it's extension plans. The extension is still of glass and ceramic, but the height and colour has been changed, a new top floor window added, and the staircase moved to provide a clear route through the whole building from front to back. Details are here: http://www.bath.ac.uk/holburne/future/modified-scheme.html
The new plans will go to the council committee vote on November 28th.

A cash injection will allow the Bathwick Hill Youth Hostel to improve facilities, building and decor
••• Chronicle Story