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Updates on the Cribbs Patchway MetroBus Extension (CPME) along Hatchet Road Letter published by Stoke Gifford Parish Council on 20th February 2017 FOLLOWING a public meeting organised by the Parish Council on Tuesday, 22nd November 2016, South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed it will be continuing with a previously approved plan to introduce a southbound bus lane on Hatchet Road in Stoke Gifford. The recent public meeting that was attended by nearly 200 residents strongly objected to proposals to introduce the bus lane in one direction through the heart of the village. These objections and concerns have been rejected by South Gloucestershire Council following numerous attempts by Stoke Gifford councillors to defer the decision on economical grounds. The works will continue to proceed as agreed at the ECS Committee in July 2016, and it is understood that the CPME scheme will commence during
2018 and be completed early in 2021. South Gloucestershire Council have also confirmed that they are currently in the process of firming up the overall CPME programme, which has lengthened from the original publicised timescales. The parish council urges South Gloucestershire Council to reconsider its decision to introduce a bus lane in one direction along part of Hatchet Road, which includes the removal of mature trees and hedgerows at a cost of £2.2 million pounds to save an estimated 29 seconds, especially as the overall MetroBus scheme is already overspent. A revised detailed design phase is yet to be viewed regarding the implementation of the new southbound bus lane, which may vary from the original specification. At the same time,
it is understood that surveys are being conducted along the wider route regarding feasibility. However, the new bus lane will potentially impact on one or two parks under the current management of the parish council that are currently leased from South Gloucestershire Council, namely Meade Park and Forty Acres (which incorporates Royal Park) – located on either side of Hatchet Road, Stoke Gifford. In order to provide updates to local residents, the parish council is now planning to hold a further public meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 7th March 2017, to be held at The Old School Rooms, St Michael’s Church, North Road, Stoke Gifford. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss any options moving forward, and to consider establishing a residents’ local action group to tackle this issue.
A public meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th March 2017, starting at 7pm, at The Old School Rooms, St Michael’s Church, North Road, Stoke Gifford BS34 8PD
March 2017
Statement by SGC in response to queries from the Journal THE DECISION made by the ECS Committee in July 2016 confirmed that the scheme which we had consulted on should be progressed. We are continuing to carry out preparatory work across the CPME route, including undertaking surveys to inform the detailed design. As part of this work, a ground penetrating radar survey was recently carried out along Hatchet Road. We are also in the early stages of producing a construction programme that sets out which parts of the CPME scheme will be built when. The overall project programme, available at www.travelwest.info/metrobus/ extension, shows that CPME construction is planned to start in 2018. The CPME project is being funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership’s Economic Development Fund (EDF). The EDF funding allocation is £35m, and the Hatchet Road element is £2.02m.
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