Watermead.co.uk

In a recent email sent out to a number of residents by BCC it was stated

Thank you for your recent email, expressing your concerns regarding the extension of the Water Rider bus service. Mrs Letheren has read you email and has asked that I respond on her behalf. Having personally inspected all of the options considered she understands your concerns. I am writing to explain how this difficult decision was arrived at and what the next steps are.

Previous consultations with residents of Watermead have shown that the majority of residents were in favour of Water Rider serving the whole of the village. However, it was not practically possible to achieve this from day one of the service. Since the service was launched I have received a number of requests for the bus to serve the northern half of the village. As such it has always been our aspiration to extend the service, and a number of potential options to do this have been investigated.

Local Parish Council Members attended a meeting on the 2nd July 2007, where the range of potential options for extending the route northwards was discussed. It was agreed by all present at this meeting that the link between Kingfisher and Kestrel Way was the best of these options. It was felt that this route provides the maximum penetration into the village, providing a quality service that is readily accessible to the whole community, including those currently unable to walk from the northern area to the existing stop. The agreement of the preferred route option with local Members, combined with the success of Water Rider to date means we are now in a position to advance these plans. The current level of service would be maintained, with the hail and ride facility operating throughout the village and direct links to the rail station and town centre maintained.

A preliminary design is currently being developed with the designers being asked to look at running the service on a one-way loop from Kingfisher into Kestrel Way from the south returning back along Kestrel Way and Ayleswater. Using a one-way loop has the advantage of minimising the number of buses travelling along this section to just three an hour. The needs of pedestrians will be taken into account in this design and the scheme would be subject to a safety audit. This section would also be hail and ride so there will be no bus stops needed and the bus would not wait outside any properties. A traffic order will allow ‘buses only’ to use the stretch in one direction, with all other vehicles barred. It is felt that this is the most appropriate solution in this situation.

Buses of this size are regularly operated in a number of areas with roads of similar width, similar parking patterns and access by delivery vehicles and refuse collection vehicles. In other situations where this type of service has been introduced we have found that most initial objections have been overcome for many residents once the benefits of the service are appreciated, and I hope that in time this would also apply to yourselves.

The statement gives the impression that Watermead Parish Council were in favour of the proposed scheme and with their support BCC are able to proceed.

When challenged on this BCC replied

To clarify, the meeting on the 2nd July was attended by local District and County council Members and a representative of the Parish Council, Sue Severn. I believe other Parish Council members were invited, but having checked the attendance list, you are right to point out that only one Parish Council member was present. The statement was only intended to convey that fact that all of those present at the meeting agreed that the Kestrel Way/Kingfisher Link was the most suitable option, if an extension was to go ahead. The decision to actually pursue the scheme at all is one for the Cabinet Member for Transportation.

Who is the Cabinet Memebr for Transportation? - Mrs Valerie Letheren who approved the first email.

What they are now saying is the decision is solely hers to pursue.

If you would like to put your views forward to Mrs Letheren she can be contacted at: vletheren@buckscc.gov.uk

Bucks County Council (BCC) have decided to extend the Water Rider bus route to run along Ayleswater, into Kestrel Way to the ‘closed’ end then along a ‘Buses Only Lane’ into Kingfisher and then back out onto Ayleswater.

The current pedestrian cut-through from Kingfisher to Kestrel Way would be turned into a road with no rising bollards. The only thing to stop general traffic using the new bit of road would be a sign saying ‘Buses Only’. Rising bollards are claimed to be very expensive to install and maintain therefore BCC have decided not to use them.

A large number of residents have expressed their concerns and objections over the expansion of the WaterRider route yet BCC have decided that no further consultation is required with residents to make this decision.

Local Parish Council Members attended a meeting on the 2nd July 2007, where the range of potential options for extending the route northwards was discussed. It was agreed by all present at this meeting that the link between Kingfisher and Kestrel Way was the best of these options.

Update The above statement has since been corrected by BCC. See here for details

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Summer Larks at Watermead, Aylesbury, Bucks. Friday 27th July 2007

Free entry to a Fun day starting at 2.00 p.m. with giant bouncy slide, bouncy castles, swing boats, roundabout, pottery painting, sumo suits, face painting and more.

Free Rock and Pop Family Concert in the evening featuring Invisible-Dog from 7.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

Come and bring a picnic!