Angry Response to Council's One-Way Survey
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue 527 30th May 2018 Read by over 40,000 people each week Angry response to council’s one-way survey The results of a survey system have been met with published the findings of the those who took part stated which revealed majority some scepticism. survey which was carried they thought the one-way support for Keynsham’s Last week Bath & North out in the first two months trial in the High Street controversial one-way East Somerset Council of 2018. While 53% of should be continued in its current form or with specified improvements, 39% said it should be halted and 8% were unsure either way. The response on social media shows some people are not convinced that the trial is that popular. “Fake news or just the biggest manipulation of figures you’ve ever seen?” asked one doubter who posted the comment next to last week’s front page of Continued on page 3 2 The Week in • Wednesday 30th May 2018 Angry response to ‘Lies, damned lies council’s one-way survey and statistics’ Mark Twain attributed the (and far better than the 130 Continued from page 1 saying the Disraeli, others who responded to the The Week In, which had the have alternative theories Transport Strategy headline ‘Public support for about the source of the consultation that led to the trial Keynsham one-way trial’. phrase to infer that basically, in the first place) it is still a Several people commented you can use statistics to very small proportion of the on our Facebook page about support whatever you want people living and working in the survey. One said: “It was to say. Keynsham. always going to be Last week, as we were about The headline figure of 53% successful in the eyes of to go to press, we received reported to want to see the one- B&NES. I’m sure they now B&NES Council’s way system continue was know what parts of the one- announcement of the results actually 23% plus 30% who way system don’t work and of the public consultation would like to see it continue cause the bottlenecks, I’m carried out earlier this year with improvements. confident we will see these on the Keynsham one-way When those “improvements” addressed soon as B&NES trial. are further analysed, the most know once all the new The full report was made favoured is “pedestrianise the High Street completely” housing developments they not worked but it cost "Change it back, it’s killed available shortly afterwards followed by “allow traffic to approved are finished, it £800,000-plus to implement Keynsham, plus traffic and closer examination of cross directly from High Street will need to cope with the but do not have the funds to always queueing with the figures would question to Temple Street”. Neither is so increased demand.” change it back. It is what it engines running, how can whether the public think the much of an improvement as a Another said: “Even if the is and we believe we have a that be good.” trial is working or not. radical change to the plan so survey had come out voice but really don’t.” “It might be that residents of While the total number of agonisingly worked out by the negative they won’t change Here is a selection of some Keynsham don’t want any just under 1,600 responses is council’s highways team and it back. It cost money to do of the other comments on more roadworks so will just indeed greater than many it so they won’t spend more our Facebook page: put up with it!” other similar consultations Continued on page 4 to undo it. The same applies “Whoever wants it to stay “Seems to work, just need to the 20mph zones, hasn’t got to sit in the god them to crack on with them B&NES confirmed it had damn traffic twice a day!” roadworks by Cadburys.” Also in this week’s issue Appeal following attempted armed robbery in Kingswood . page 6 Famous ‘Two Ronnies’ script to go under the hammer . page 9 More road closures in S. Glos this summer . page 12 Out & About in June . pages 16 - 17 The Week in • Wednesday 30th May 2018 3 “Lies, damned lies and statistics” Continued from page 3 became permanent are took place with more than 100 the town’s B&NES elected inconclusive – almost a three- local businesses. They were councillors. way split between yes (33%), asked to keep a record of Asked whether they think the no (31%) and no difference footfall and takings since the one-way system has made the (31%). Where qualitative start of the trial in May last High Street a more pleasant responses were solicited, for year. While 6% saw an place to be, 51% either agree every positive reaction about increase in monthly takings, or agree strongly, 35% air quality and road safety, 42% saw a drop and around disagree or disagree strongly, there was a negative one about half saw no difference. while 13% have no opinion. In traffic congestion and air When the one-way trial was answer to whether they spend quality somewhere else. first mooted by B&NES more or less time in the High In addition to the public Council calls to consider full Street now 11% say more, survey (56% completed pedestrianisation were batted 27% less and 58% about the online, 41% via on-street away, stressing it was solutions. In March the council centre.” same. Similarly, intentions to surveys and 3% paper surveys important to trial the one-way announced that “a final Other than reducing dangerous visit Keynsham if the system at the library) consultation also system before looking at other decision on the future of the levels of nitrogen dioxide in trial will be made by B&NES the High Street and dissipating Cabinet, in consultation with it over a wider area, the one- local councillors and based on way trial has not delivered any THE WEEK IN the survey evidence captured.” other benefits that the With last week’s release of the residents or businesses have Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, survey results it was particularly noticed. Whether Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, announced that “Bath & North that will play any part in the Corston, Downend, Emersons East Somerset Council's final decision remains to be Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Cabinet Members are due to seen. It does look from the Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, make a decision in Summer reaction so far that many Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, 2018 about the future of the residents already think they Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, High Street, and whether know the answer to that Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, further investment will be question. Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, sought for Keynsham Town Letters, page 10 Willsbridge. 16,000 copies are distributed through retail outlets, libraries, pubs, community centres each week. Verified pick-up rate of 97%. Publisher Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381 www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Managing Editor Stephen Rodgers [email protected] News Editor Becky Feather 07973 839936 Contributors Christine Rogers Advertising Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick 0117 986 0381 [email protected] @theweekineditor No material in this publication, nor its associated website (www.theweekin.co.uk) may be reproduced without the written permission of Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd. All rights reserved. Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd. t/a The Week In is regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC. As such, we adhere to the IMPRESS complaints procedure. A copy of this procedure can be found on our website or can be sent upon written request to the address above. 4 The Week in • Wednesday 30th May 2018 Easing the queues at Sort It centres People using recycling centres approach at Sort It centres to which people can read while in South Gloucestershire are people unable to prove they are queuing, offering being advised to take along residency. advice on how to unload more proof that they have However, the system sometimes efficiently and when the peak registered for permits in the misreads number plates, for times are so they can visit at a light of ongoing problems. example if they are dirty or if quieter time. In recent years the council has there is a bolt through a 0, He also suggested green lights cracked down on people from which can then be read as a B. be installed above the bays to outside the area using the Sort It He suggests people take along indicate when one becomes centres and opening hours have proof of residency, such as the free. also been scaled back as a result acknowledgement from the Mr Pead said the council is of budget cuts council that they have applied exploring the option of whether However, as we have featured in for their permit, to avoid being late-night opening can be recent months, there have been turned away. offered once a week. reports of residents being turned Cllr Ian Adams, who represents Meanwhile the webcam facility away even if they have the Siston ward, recently at the Mangotsfield centre registered. presented a petition to the which allows residents to check Ross Pead, from the council’s council calling on it to via the council’s website how waste minimisation team, investigate and implement busy it is before setting off on attended the Community changes to the Mangotsfield tip the journey, has not been Engagement Forum for Rural in Carsons Road where queues working in recent months but North East South can cause chaos.