BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL

We have now discovered that Bristol City Council, whilst inviting members of the public to present petitions and statements, and ask questions at Council meetings, they do not fully record what is said in the formal minutes of the meeting. Is this because they have so little interest in what the public has to say between elections, or simply that they do not wish to be held to account, for promises made.

Take the 28 April 2009 Council meeting, the minutes were approved at the Council meeting on the 16 June 2009, see below for what is missing,

AGENDA ITEM 4(B) STATEMENTS
PS06

Hallen Depot falls within South Gloucester adjoining the Bristol boundary. They receive the business rates, but Bristol pick up the cost of maintaining roads carrying increased heavy traffic.

The fuel tankers serve the expanding Bristol Airport and other airports. New developments in Avonmouth and Severn Beach are causing a steady increase in traffic.

The weight limit on Severn Road, Hallen, was imposed by Avon during construction of the Second Severn Crossing from 1992 to 1996.

This limit can no longer be justified. Construction finished thirteen years ago. When the permanent Order was confirmed in 1996, it was stated that, “Suitable alternative routes for heavy traffic are available using motorway or "A" class roads”.

Despite numerous requests over the years, Traffic Management, has failed to object to the permanent Order in 1996, and subsequently failed to explore the options open to them to contest the Order.

Our case is simple, why should fuel tankers from South Gloucester, travel into Bristol’s suburban roads, when a northern route is a much safer option to the motorway network. Fuel tankers, have a detrimental effect on roads and properties, they pollute the environment, add to traffic congestion, and are a safety hazard.

Bristol Airport is not connected to the Government’s pipeline network, but there are three network facilities south of the River Avon and closer to Bristol Airport than Hallen Depot.

The weight limit is absurd in terms of multi-area traffic management. The larger population of Bristol, is being put at risk. There are no schools in Hallen, but there are four schools in Henbury alone.

For half of its length the weight limit on Severn Road, is within Bristol’s Avonmouth Ward. Is the South Gloucester Order legal?

We doubt that they can put up a credible defence of the limit, therefore it is a simple matter of Bristol having the will to act.

The DFT have indicated that they are willing to attend a meeting to help both Council’s find a solution. This campaign has the support of the RHA and the tanker drivers.

This petition will be presented to South Gloucester on the 20 May, and we urge Bristol to add their support.

The impending closure of the railway bridge on the 5 May, is an opportunity for a multi-area reassessment of traffic management.

TO COUNCILLOR/DR JON ROGERS, CABINET MEMBER FOR TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABILITY

AGENDA ITEM 4(C) QUESTIONS
PQ1

Q1
Does the Council have responsibility, from a road safety viewpoint, for the safety of the residents of Bristol. If so how would you describe this responsibility and how is it implemented both in policy terms and day to day?

A1
See published AGENDA ITEM 4(C)

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Given that you have only been an Executive Member for eight weeks can you please ask Cllr Bradshaw if he was aware of the fuel tanker situation described in my statement, and if so what action had he taken as the former Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability?

SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER
That’s a great supplementary and I certainly will ask Councillor Bradshaw in due course. I will probably have to do it through the official channels, I don’t think I am allowed to ask supplementary questions myself at this stage. What I would say is that in my reply to you I didn’t know what, I didn’t know who it was or what the background was to the story.

But what I did say I have asked officers to respond in more detail below but if you have a specific concern about some part of the road network then I will be happy to investigate and you have given a very clear, in both the petition and in the statement, given a very clear and detailed report about the problems there.

They sound like they have been going on for years and really that is not appropriate, so I will give you my assurance I will be taking that back.

Q2
Can you please list all road safety initiatives and policies in the last five years and describe how they have improved road safety for the residents of Bristol?

A2
See published AGENDA ITEM 4(C)

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Given your Cabinet role and your membership of the West of England Partnership, Planning, Transport and Environment Group, in terms of multi-area traffic management, does Bristol Council have a responsibility for the road safety of the residents of South Gloucestershire?

SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER
I think we all have a responsibility for residents everywhere in all our actions that we take.

The particular way in which we try and discharge that cross boundary responsibility is through the Road Safety Partnership which meets, well actually it hasn’t met for quite a long time under Councillor Bradshaw, but it has met quite recently and we have looked at the actions, statistics.

I have spoken, I speak on a number of occasions to Councillor Allinson, Brian Allinson in South Gloucestershire and I will happily take this up with him as well. This is clearly an issue that affects both our areas.

The undertakings have been given, the Lib Dems have been returned with an overall majority, lets see what happens now.