NOWTS News

NOWTS News: I am writing to let you all know about a strategic approach to the problem of the Highways Agency, which has proven to be the major obstacle to getting the new Waste Centre at a site off the A35 (which most people think is the right place for it).

I have included below a communication from Dave Rickard, (a Bridport Town councillor) who is making a submission on behalf of "Transition Town Bridport".  This submission is to the "Sustainable Communities Act Approval Panel" (just be grateful I'm not using acronyms!) who are in a position to recommend, to government and ministers, things that would fulfil their legal duties under the terms of the "Sustainable Communities Act 2007".  The introduction of Daves' piece gives a bit more background.  When you read his submission you will see that it is designed to stop this un-elected body using it's unique powers to prevent the local people of Bridport and district exercising their democratic rights. (i.e. to put up a few signs, plant some flowers or have a waste centre in a sensible place!)
 
This submission is part of a process whereby we "ordinary" people can put pressure on this remote and tyrannical body and make it change it's attitude to our local trunk road.  It is vital to our campaign that this pressure is real and effective.  The way to achieve this is for as many of us as can to write and support this submission, it's as simple as that.  You can add your name to an online petition but also, and much more effective, e-mail or write an individual letter in support giving your name and address.  You can just say that you support the transition town submission or go into more detail about why, (and let off a bit of steam).  I intend to write a letter of support as co-ordinator of NOWTS, if any of you do not wish me to assume your support in this way, please let me know.  I think this is a very good strategy and will help to make the Highways Agency uncomfortable, we need to make them sweat.  I hope you agree and give your support.  At the bottom of his piece Dave gives details of how to register your support.
 
regards, Steve Spear
 

THE PROPOSED SUBMISSION TO THE 'SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT' APPROVAL PANEL

Introduction

The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 is designed to allow citizens to put forward proposals to the Secretary of State to alter legislation in order to allow local communities to have more say in the way powers are exercised and/or money is spent.

The Act gives The Government the legal duty to 'assist local authorities in promoting the sustainability of local communities'.

Transition Town Bridport is acting as a channel for the following submission to the West Dorset Sustainable Communities Act Panel.

The Proposal

That the Secretary of State for Transport amends the powers of the Highways Agency as follows.

'That where roads under their jurisdiction have a high or significant local strategic importance, the powers of that Agency which impinge directly on the structural or functional planning of a local community, should be commuted from 'Mandatory' to 'Advisory with consultation'.

The Rationale

There has been an increasing number of occasions where the Highways Agency have used their mandatory powers to block planning and operational activities by local communities on the grounds of jeopardising free flow of traffic on the A35 trunk road.

It is proving to be a particular problem not only in Bridport but in many communities along the A35.

The Highways Agency's own policy statement refers to 'mitigation measures and community-based solutions that balance the needs of the community and trunk road users.'  However, the volume based revenue contract by which they are funded, and their mandatory powers, appear to be skewing the balance away from local community needs.

Significantly, their apparent power to override any part of any level of the Local Plan, at district or local level has serious implications for the democratic process and for the ability of communities to develop sustainable solutions to their own needs.

Examples in the Bridport Area

1.The Highways Agency have publicly stated that they would object to consider any extra junctions, or increased access   or egress to or from the A35 within the wider area of Bridport, which has:

• Restricted the County's attempts to find alternative sites for the much needed re-siting of Bridport's domestic recycling centre and for a waste transfer station.
• Thrown doubt on the SW Quadrant development
• Restricted Park and Ride options.

2. Their policy priority to ensure fast uninterrupted traffic flow has resulted in:

• Refusal to allow bus stops on Sea Road South
• Considerable difficulties in securing bus stops / bus stop flags / bus shelters on the 31 bus route between Axminster and Dorchester
• Refusal to allow a pedestrian crossing on Sea Road South
• Refusal to allow public parking on Askers meadow for events like the Food Festival

3. The assumption that everything within sight of the A35 constitutes a distraction to motorists which will be to the detriment of the smooth running of their road has manifest itself in many ways.

• During Dorset Arts Week they systematically went round and removed all the numbered direction way- signs to the participating studios which were on the A35.
• They also removed signs to Bridport Food Festival last year and have refused permission for selected signs for this years festival.
• They have refused to allow the Town Council to smarten up the Crown and Green's Roundabouts with managed flower planting.
• They have even refused to allow Bridport Town Council to put up signs directing traffic to their Park & Ride facility.

It is necessary to show that any proposal has a level of democratic support. The more support it has, the more likely it will make its way through the panel process. Whilst the deadline for submission of the proposal is to be the 30th April, proof of community support can be delivered to the panel up until the end of May. (The sooner the better!)

How to register your support

E-mail petition;  send an 'I support the proposal' email to agree@transitiontownbridport.co.uk

If you wish to write a fuller testimonial email you can email to the same address, please put "SCA support" in the subject box.

If you do not have access to email and wish to write in support you may deliver it to

D Rickard. Rydens, Westown, Bothenhampton, DT6 4BQ

See also WASTE TRANSFER STATION DEBATE