News

Council's Clean Air Zone Proposals published


B&NES has today published its proposals for improving air quality in Bath in line with the Governments' direction http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/latestnews/cabinet-consider-recommendation-exempt-cars-bath-clean-air-zone-charge

The proposals will be considered at Cabinet on 5 March, which we will be attending. Main points:

• The CAZ boundary will be expanded to include the Pulteney Estate area, the Bathwick Estate and Sydney Gardens areas, and the junction of Oldfield Road and Wellsway (including Oldfield Road). These extensions to the CAZ will be welcome to our members in these areas.
• FOBRA recommended addressing the forecast exceedances at Gay Street and Walcot Parade by means of traffic management, and this the Council now proposes to do. With these measures, the Council now believes that compliance can be achieved with a Class A-C CAZ (excluding private cars).
• However, the selected traffic management measure is to introduce new traffic lights at Queen Square, at the junctions with the A367 Chapel Row/ Princes Street and at Queen Square Place. It seems quite possible that this would actually result in stationary traffic backing up from the lights, which would lead to increased congestion and air pollution in the area. We would have preferred action to reduce traffic volumes by closing 2 or 3 sides of Queen Square. The Council will keep air pollution levels here under review, and may need to consider alternative traffic management measures if the proposed measures do not have the desired result.
• Although cars will not be included in the CAZ, the Council proposes a scrappage scheme for older, non-compliant, cars so as to encourage their replacement.
• Charges for higher emission vehicles to drive in the zone remain as for the original proposal: £100 for buses, coaches and HGVs and £9 for LGVs/vans, private hire vehicles and taxis. There will be no concessionary period for taxis.
• The Council wants to promote Park-and-Ride, but not to the extent of reducing visitor parking in the centre to encourage this.

News Archive

Bath Recreation Ground Planning Application

FOBRA has responded to the current planning application by Arena 1865 for the development of a new stadium at Bath Recreation Ground.

» Read more

Lambridge Training Ground Planning Application

FOBRA has objected to Lidl's planning application for Lambridge Training Ground.

» Read more

Bath Western Riverside Development

FOBRA has commented on the current planning application for Bath Western Riverside Development Phase 2.

» Read more

FOBRA Response to B&NES Local Plan approach consultation

B&NES Council recently launched a consultation on their approach to a preparing a new Local Plan for the area.

» Read more

Journey to Net Zero – response to B&NES consultation

Fobra has responded to Bath & North East Somerset Council's recent 'Journey to Net Zero' consultation.

» Read more

FoBRA's Comments on B&NES's LPPU Consultation

FoBRA recently submitted comments on B&NES Council's Local Partial Plan Update as part of the council's consultation exercise.

» Read more

FOBRA Business Support Committee

The FOBRA Business Support Committee was formed at the end of 2020 to address the challenges our business community in and around Bath is facing in the wake of the pandemic and challenges posed by technological innovation, online shopping and reduced tourism.

» Read more

Cleveland Bridge - FoBRA letter

The Chair wrote to the Leader of the Council on 17 November regarding Cleveland Bridge.

» Read more

Liveable Neighbourhoods Consultation – FoBRA’s response

On 9th October, FoBRA submitted its response to B&NES Council.

» Read more

Entry Hill and Approach Golf Courses

FoBRA spoke, as did several member Associations, at the Cabinet meeting on 22 July 20, about the futures of the Entry Hill and Approach Golf Courses.

» Read more

Cleveland Bridge Planning Comments by FoBRA

FoBRA has submitted its comments on the Council's application to repair historic Cleveland Bridge.

» Read more

Traffic Movement Plan for LTNs

On 6 July FoBRA wrote to the Council Leader with a concept for Traffic Movement across Bath if Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are introduced.

» Read more

Recycling centres availability - letter in Chronicle

FoBRA wrote to the Chronicle about the availability of recycling centres after 9 weeks of lockdown, and this was published on 28th May.

» Read more

FoBRA Executive meeting resolutions - 27th April 20

FoBRA's Executive met (virtually), on 27th April, and agreed: • To co-opt onto the Executive the two declared candidates for the posts of Chairman and Vice Chairman, Justin Draeger and Graham Feltham respectively (they both attended this Executive meeting).

» Read more

Corona Virus Help:

Corona Virus Help: With the spread of Coronavirus and the likelihood that there will be people in our neighbourhoods in need of help while in 'self isolation', it might be something that all of us would like to investigate and offer.

» Read more

WECA - FoBRA response to bus strategy consultation

FoBRA has responded to WECA's bus strategy consultation.

» Read more

10th March FoBRA Committee cancelled

It is with regret that we have to inform members that the meeting on 10th March at Widcombe Junior School has had to be cancelled as a precaution against the possibility of Coronavirus - which at present is not in Bath.

» Read more

Airbnb roadshow - FoBRA questionnaire response

FoBRA has been invited to take part in the Bristol event on 6 March in Airbnb's roadshow.

» Read more

NORA letter to Housing Minister, Feb 20

The National Organization of Residents' Associations (NORA) (of which FoBRA is a member) recently wrote to the new Housing Minister about the problems of Short Term Letting.

» Read more

Council's Corporate Strategy - FoBRA Response dated 26 Jan 20

On 30 Dec the Council invited all those who attended one of its Corporate Strategy presentations before Christmas to "let us know what you think about our plans for the future".

» Read more

FoBRA's Cleveland Bridge LBA Comments

On 19th Dec FoBRA commented on the Listed Building Application for the repair of Cleveland Bridge.

» Read more

Coach Traffic in Bath

The FoBRA Chairman was interviewed on 23 Dec 19 by The Times about excessive coach visits to Bath; as was Prof Barry Gilbertson of the Circus Area Residents' Association.

» Read more

Clean Air Plan consultation - FoBRA response, 18 Oct 19

FoBRA has responded to the Council's Clean Air Plan consultation.

» Read more

Rec Trust - FoBRA Chairman's statement to Council and Response

FoBRA's Chairman addressed the full Council on 10th Oct 19 about the lack of communication and engagement with the public of the Rec Trust (which owns the Recreation Ground, amongst other land around Bath), calling for greater openness.

» Read more

Party Houses article in Chronicle 10 Oct 19

FoBRA was interviewed for the latest article on Party Houses in the Bath Chronicle, 10th Oct 19.

» Read more

Bristol Airport Expansion - FoBRA objection 23 Sept 19

FoBRA has objected to the proposals for expansion of Bristol Airport; in particular because of the number of night flights proposed, which could be as high as eleven per night.

» Read more

Party House article in the Observer 22 Sept 19

Read what FoBRA recommends to address the Party House scourge: in the Observer 22 Sept 19 (visit 'Papers and Blogs' tab on this website).

» Read more

Party House article - 31 Aug 19

FoBRA's Chairman was interviewed by The Times for an article published on 31st August (see 'Papers and Blogs' tab on this website).

» Read more

Party House Case Offers New Hope

A crucial test case has turned down an Appeal by the owner of a Party House in Greenway Lane, Bath, and hence he must close it in September.

» Read more

Darker side to Airbnb Effect

See 'Papers and Blogs' tab on this website for the text of the Chairman's letter 'The Darker Side to the Airbnb Effect' - published in the Chronicle 20 June 19.

» Read more