Comments on: Residents Object To New WaterRider Bus Route Expansion Plans

By: A Kingfisher resident

A Kingfisher resident — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:11:48 +0000

I am strongly opposed to the WaterRider’s proposed new route along Kingfisher, and the proposed new through-road from Kestrel Way to Kingfisher! At present we only have a handful of vehicles a day travelling along our road, and the prospect of having a bus driving by 42 times a day would be an unacceptable increase in traffic! Kingfisher is a narrow road which is totally unsuitable for a bus - there simply wouldn’t be enough room for the bus to pass other vehicles comfortably, particularly at the junction of Kingfisher and Ayleswater! It would be nothing but a complete hindrance to the residents of Kingfisher, Kittiwake & Sheerwater. The Refuse lorry certainly wouldn’t be able to pass the bus in Kingfisher, and would probably mean that one of them would have to reverse to allow the other to pass, which would be highly dangerous. In addition the loss of our cul de sac status (if the road becomes extended through to Kestrel Way), together with the increased traffic could de-value house prices in these roads. Finally, having spoken to a number of other residents, we haven’t come across anyone who would actually use the bus anyway!

By: Kingfisher Residents

Kingfisher Residents — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:33:21 +0000

We are strongly opposed to this proposal and quite frankly stunned that anyone would come up with such a plan. Our understanding is that one or two people have expressed an interest in an extended bus service as they feel they are unable to walk to the current bus pick up point. As BCC is on a mission to get everyone on a bus, this expression of interest is enough of a justification and the excuse they’ve been looking for to send a bus further into Watermead. BCC has a conundrum on where to site a turnaround for the bus! In order to solve this conundrum BCC has decided in their infinite wisdom, without consultation of the residents, that they will send 42 buses a day starting at 6 am, 6 days per week along Ayleswater and Kestrel Way, over a pavement (a pavement which is currently used as part of the circular jogging and walking track around Watermead Lake) and down the narrow cul-de-sac of Kingfisher. These buses, in all probability, will be empty for 95% of their journeys along Kingfisher, a road which sees minimum traffic. With this proposal we can look forward in some instances to a 300% hourly increase in traffic along Kingfisher, apparently all in a bid to keep traffic off the road – where is the logic in this?

By: Lark Vale Resident

Lark Vale Resident — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:42:57 +0000

Despite the same concerns being raised by residents in the Watermeadow end of Watermead ie houses being de-valued, narrow roads, increased traffic, not enough demand for the service, the bus project went ahead anyway!
I understood the plan was always that the bus would also run along to the Ayleswater end of Watermead, but this would be after a turning point was built at the end of Kestral Way, so the bus running alomng Watermeadow and through Lark Vale was only the first stage of the plan.
Assuming the turning point cannot be built in Kestral Way, perhaps this is why the plan is now for the bus to go through Kingfisher?
I cannot therefore understand why people in the Ayleswater end of Watermead are surprised that the bus will be running along there now when it was always planned it would? If the original plan to run the bus into Kestral Way then back out via Lark Vale is not implemented it should be scrapped altogether!!!!

By: A Watermead Resident

A Watermead Resident — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:34:04 +0000

In recent discussions with a local councillor, we were informed that the buses may be upgraded in the near future for EVEN LARGER ONES which would rattle down our quiet little roads up to 6 times an hour! So, we need to put our foot down right now, otherwise all the residents of Larkvale, Kingfisher, Kestrel Way, Ayleswater, Watermeadow and Partridge Way may soon have an even bigger nightmare to contend with!

By: Michael Shrimpton

Michael Shrimpton — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:28:57 +0000

This is a nonsense. Obviously traffic will not be deterred by a Buses Only sign.

Ayleswater will not sustain a bus route due to on-street parking. The roads on Watermead were not designed for public transport and are not suitable.

By: Sue severn

Sue severn — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 09:01:46 +0000

The Parish Council is not responsible nor has it ‘approved’ the new scheme. I attended a Members’ Briefing on behalf of the PC along with our District & County Councillors where it was agreed that the only feasible route was via Kingfisher/Kestrel Way. However, it was made clear and agreed by the County Council that we would carry out a survey of all affected residents. In the event, the County Council has decided that they will not carry out further consultation but to quote their letter of 21 August (copy of which has been sent to a Kingfisher resident) ‘all local residents and yourselves (PC) will be consulted on the design prior to it being implemented and their concerns will be considered and taken into account.’

Please be aware that the PC is only consultative and cannot and does not make decisions of this nature. We will faithfully represent the views of residents and understand that Kingfisher/Kestrel Way residents will be holding a meeting in the village hall at 7pm before our next PC meeting to discuss their response to the current proposal. During the public meeting we will hear their views and these are the views that we will put forward to the County Council on behalf of residents.

The Parish Council is opposed to any form of proposed development without proper consultation with residents - which means that their views are taken into account before any action is taken. As we know from the junction changes last year our views do not appear to be taken into account.

Sue Severn
Chairman Watermead PC

By: Lark Vale Resident

Lark Vale Resident — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:04:38 +0000

Due to work committements I was unable to attedn the PC Meeting on 20/9/07 at which the issue of extending the Waterider bus route to the Ayleswater end of Watermead through Kestral Way and Kingfisher was discussed.
However I note the conclusions of the meeting are that (1) an alternative route should be sought to Kestral Way/Kingfisher (2) full consultation with householders in the Ayleswater end of Watermead must take place and (3) the option to leave the route as it is with no extension is to be included.
I strongly object to the third conclusion because the original plan was always for the bus to sevice both ends of Watermead, not just the Watermeadow end via Lark Vale. The implementaion of the bus route via Lark Vale was only the first step in the plan. Residents of Lark Vale etc raised objections to the bus going through our narrow streets. how it would affect our house prices etc but the bus route was allowed to go ahead anyway!!!
If it is decided that the bus route will not now extend into the Ayleswater end of Watermead, thereby not meeting all the terms in the original plans, then it should be scrapped.

By: janette glynn

janette glynn — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:39:50 +0000

the residents of watermead will not be listened to, just as they were not listened to over the horse and jockey roundabout. which is a complete disaster putting 25mins on my journey home. the people that come up with these stupid ideas and implement them do not reside in watermead. as for the parish council they should back the wishes of the residents 100%

By: Nick Sabine

Nick Sabine — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:27:55 +0000

I would love to know just where all the Kestal / Kingfisher or the ‘North’ residents were when the people down aylswater and Lark Vale were protesting so much 18 months ago. Nobody wanted this bus route anywhere in Watermead but we did not have such huge support from the Parish Council as the ‘North’ residents seem to have. It disgusts me as it seems to be that we are the ‘little’ people of Watermead who live right of the roundabout and we have to put up with the bus, it is only fair that now the rest of the estate should have to suffer like we do. The bus runs empty all day after the rush hour and is not needed but the council will never go back on a decision once they have spent time and money on it. What a shame that Watermead is so divided as if all these people would have supported the ‘South’ residents protest 18 months ago then maybe we would not have the Water Rider at all in the estate.

By: Debbie Clarke

Debbie Clarke — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:43:43 +0000

I’m disappointed that Nick Sabine and some others from south Watermead feel that residents of north Watermead should now suffer because south Watermead is suffering.
I was fully against the bus being routed down Lark Vale at the time of their protest. I felt it was wrong for the new bus route to use small residential roads, and felt it should only use the spine road to provide a more frequent service to Watermead. I imagined how I would feel if BCC wanted to route a bus down the cul-de-sac I live in, and I empathised with the residents of the cul-de-sac which is Lark Vale. I was a member of the Parish Council at the time and voted for us to support the Lark Vale residents.
Unfortunately the bus route went ahead in Lark Vale despite the strong feeling against it. Now BCC wish to extend the route and send it down the road I live in, which was never suggested on the original consultation.
I don’t believe at all that one side of Watermead is, as Nick Sabine suggests, ‘the little people’, or that there is a north/south divide. There are large and small houses at both ends of the estate, and sleepy and less sleepy roads at either end. I don’t buy in to snobbery of either the inverted or the traditional flavour, and I don’t consider there to be a difference between north and south Watermead. But I do happen to live at this end and don’t want my environment to change, as Lark Vale residents didn’t! How can you blame us for feeling just the same as many south Watermead residents did 2 years ago?
This issue is about the County Council not listening to residents, and imposing things on us against majority local feeling. Of course people will get more involved in a protest when it more directly affects them - that is human nature, and most Watermead reidents live very busy lives, so have limited spare time for campaigning.
Let’s pull together to fight BCC’s imposition of bus routes against local will and without effective consultation. The consultation the Lark Vale route was based on was deeply flawed, not offering the answers most residents wanted to give (a more frequent service to the spine road). We have asked BCC for the justification for the route extension, and they refuse to give details. It is interesting to note that 1/3 of the funding for the route extension (and possibly the Lark Vale part of the route) comes from the developer of the Weedon Hill (Buckingham Park) development - draw your own conclusions, but I suspect a deal was done regarding planning and traffic flow predictions.
If Lark Vale residents still feel strongly that the bus is adversely affecting their way of life, then join with us and campaign to have the bus route moved to the spine road (don’t attack those of us who feel just as you did 2 years ago!) If you want to start a campaign to get the bus route moved out of Lark Vale then feel free to get in touch with me through the web site’s administrator, if you wish.

By: Watermead.co.uk | Watermead Parish Council response regarding proposal to extend Water Rider bus route

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:34:41 +0000

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By: Roy Chenery ex Kestrel Way

Roy Chenery ex Kestrel Way — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:20:01 +0000

I have only just logged onto your web site out of interest and have read your comments on the proposed bus route.
When the original plans were presented I and a few other residents of Watermead both north and south campaigned for many months to try and encourage people into some action to stop what we believed to be a misrepresentation of the facts by the Bucks County Council on the viability and need for an additional bus service to Watermead.
I feel you have missed your opportunity, we should have shown a united front then, not when it is already established in one area. We did attend meetings with Mrs Letheren and her council colleagues as well as David Liddington but were always told their plans had the overwhelming support of Watermead residents.
I have to say the support we received from the Parish Council was almost non- existent and in time we became despondent through lack of the residents interest.
I am afraid these bureaucrats only exist to inflict their ill conceived plans on council tax payers as us. From my experience of dealing with Mrs Letheren and her colleagues they had made their mind up before the first consultation leaflet , rightly or wrongly and what ever the facts the bus was going where they wanted it to go.
Unfortunately for some of you the only way to avoid the imposition of this unwanted intrusion is to do what I and others did and that is to move from Watermead.
Good Luck