We have recently received several emails and letters from members regarding the possible plans for a cable car operating from Mulberry Park to the city centre. Members are understandably concerned about the impact it could have on their homes and the potential impact on the appearance of the World Heritage site.
Our response is as follows:
BPT has not yet taken a position on this and currently lacks detailed information to do so.
We were first briefed about this as a possibility about a year ago, at which stage it was a very unformed scheme. Curo have since consulted with us again prior to a public consultation on transport options for the south of Bath this spring in which BPT will participate. We understand that this will be an ‘in principle’ consultation leading to a more detailed consultation in the autumn. We do not expect there to be sufficient information in the first consultation to reach a final view.
In considering any proposal for a cable car as an option we will be forming our view based on (at least) three issues:
We are very conscious that there are ‘neighbour’ issues for people whose gardens and houses might be ‘flown over’. These are legitimate concerns. If all the above points were resolved positively, should the scheme progress, BPT would be pushing for non-branded cars with a design which prevented looking down into houses/gardens. However it would be difficult to see that BPT would take an opposing stance on the ‘neighbour’ issues alone, while we would understand the reasons why individual householders would want to do so.
We will keep members informed of the consultation events relating to this proposal, and our formal responses as they are submitted. We are aware that a campaign group has been set up and we are in receipt of their information though as explained above are currently reserving our position.