Councillor Mark Wheeler

© / Credited To: David Hoyle. Scanned by: Moonrakers

Since the bridge has been out of action I have had many letters/emails querying the delay in rebuilding the bridge. The officer at County Hall overseeing this project - Brian Mullins - has been investigating options to try and solve the problem. An excerpt from recent emails below is for information.

 The County is fully aware of the problem but there are significant financial implications related to the replacement of the bridge. The replacement has been put into the bridge replacement programme but the initial inspection has estimated that the costs will be in excess of £120,000. In addition to this, there is an issue regarding the stability of the existing land that needs to be seriously considered too. You may be surprised to learn that this is one of 8 bridges across the county that needs attention (repairing or replacing) some bridges are vital/only access points for communities, these require our more immediate attention (notwithstanding the limited budget the department has for this work). At the moment, the department is addressing several health and safety issues regarding bridge inspections and replacements to support all the Countryside Rangers in their work in addition to working on several bridge projects. Ridge Mill was identified as a high priority.  

 I am aware of the concern in Cowling and have pursued this matter with the public rights of way officer to look at all options that might resolve the problem. For example one option is to improve the nearby footbridge - County will need to arrange to speak to all the relevant landowners to consider this further.

 A site visit took place on Monday 13th October 2008 by our rights of way officer and one of our local rangers. Their views are as follows – 

  The banks of the watercourse showed further signs of deterioration and erosion. To replace the crossing point in its original position or very near to it will require a substantial bridge and riverbank reinforcement. It is estimated to cost in the region of £150K to £200K with no guarantee of success if you consider the action of the water within the watercourse and on the riverbanks.

We could not find and alternative bridge site downstream but the best option is to improve the existing bridge that is upstream. This is not ideal as the route is not as accessible because of the natural terrain conditions that exist and these are impossible to improve as you will be working against nature.  I have spoken to John Smith and it has been agreed to investigate the improvement of the existing upstream bridge, which is at the moment a very narrow, one hand-railed beam. Jacobs have been asked to provide a scheme with the intention to undertake the work in the next financial year - 2009/2010.

 I have asked Tim to act as my eyes, ears and feet over this matter and to contact the landowners in the near future to start the process of discussing the proposal to improve the existing bridge. 

Tim Rowe (our ranger) will report back to me and I can update you with proposed course of action. I appreciate that it is taking a while to resolve, I am working hard to try and broker a solution that will satisfy the needs of the community in Cowling that is within County budgets for such work. I have copied your letter and forwarded it to our Bridge works manager and am awaiting his comments on the issues you have raised. 

I am concerned that budget pressures will delay the rebuilding and would welcome Cowling residents views/support to try and get the bridge fixed as soon as possible and reinstate the footpath access. 

Please write to, or email me with your views/suggestions/support and I will ensure these views will be passed on to the County Bridges Department.

At The Craven Area Committee on 29/5/08 members discussed and voted on the proposed schemes.

What a stitch-up! Considering the geographical area of the study and number of schemes discussed at 1st stage it was a blow to see proposed schemes distilled down to so few and in such a reduced area (just Crosshills and Sutton).there were  bus/public transport infrastructure bids(not just moving of stops on a629) thrown out - but depressingly for me similar proposals in Settle study progressed to proposal stage.

 I have been advised by highways area office that Jacobs are looking at a cheaper scheme re. A629 bus stop issue and I would hope that this could be reinstated on the study proposal(as only reason for throwing it off was cost - a whopping great £100,000. Just to move a bus stop!). 

Other schemes seemed inexpensive and practical - traffic calming on grange road Kildwick, pedestrian safety accessing bus stops on Cononley lane end, road markings a6068 cowling - Lancs border - in light of fatalities). Whereas some of schemes that were put forward look pretty lame and possibly overpriced.

If there cannot be any movement on schemes then I would hope that there might be some movement to accommodate the rejected projects on the general highways list of proposed schemes.

The Police Authority met today to discuss their “Estates Transformation Strategy”. To you and me that probably means closure of police stations. The press have highlighted 4 potential sites for closure - Crosshills, Settle, Ripon, and Knaresborough and it was confirmed last night at Kildwick Parish Meeting by a local Police Inspector. The worrying aspect of this latest development is the linking of it to the review of workforce structures also taking place.

Last year our area suffered through the net loss of 2 officers after a restructure. It seems if the crime statistics point to the marshaling of resources towards Harrogate and york we will suffer again. Therein lies the problem. Reported crime may be down but unreported crime will not have dropped and probably risen. If our local station closes how much harder will it be for us to report incidents of crime(an easy question to answer for those who have tried to wrestle with police phone system), I anticipate many will give up trying.

The morale of our officers is low, Settle officers living in police houses have been given notice of eviction. Whilst I recognise the need for the police to review all aspects of its service I wonder what financial imperative could be behind this. I hope that the multi million £ cost of Harrogates “super station” will not influence the decision, especially in light of the potentially large capital receipt from the sale of 4 pieces of prime real estate.

It seems our community is about to take another hit. First a reduction in our bus service, then post offices and now our police stations are about to go the same way. Surely enough is enough. We deserve as much of a police service as urban areas - crime whatever the perceived level of severity - has a long lasting affect on the victim.

The Police Authority states the following as objectives -

Promoting safer neighbourhoods through - Increasing levels of public satisfaction with the police service

background 

The Metro Ticketing Scheme, administered by METRO, provides unlimited rail and bus or bus only travel in West Yorkshire.  The area is divided into 5 zones that are centred on Leeds and the cost of the ticket varies depending on the zone you want to travel from.  The most expensive ticket covering zones 1 to 5 is approximately £1,000 pa.  The first “quick win” of the Leeds City Region was to expand the METRO Ticketing scheme to a new zone 6 which would cover Cononley to Gargrave and also to Harrogate and Knaresborough.  The central aim of the Leeds City Region is to remove the barriers within a coherent economic area to allow for growth.  The most important of these is the flexibility of the labour market and the removal of barriers for cross border travel both into Leeds/Bradford etc and also into Craven. 

Funding of a Zone 6 

The aim of the Zone 6 development was to make the scheme cost neutral as the basis of the scheme is that revenue from the ticket is divided between bus and rail operators based on the proportion of usage.  Growth in the scheme for Zone 6 would increase the revenue for the operators.  Total revenues for 2007/8 were £28m. In developing a zone 6 there needs to be a balance between attractiveness for the public and also for the operators.  A key issue here is the price differential between a rail season ticket for Skipton to Leeds (35.60 pw) and the expected cost of a rail only zone 1 to 6 ticket (£36.50).  If bus was then added the operators would only accept a zone 1 to 6 rail plus zone 1 to 5 bus at about £43.30 pw.  The key question here is why switch from a rail season ticket to rail only metro card and would the inclusion of buses in zones 1 to 5 be prohibitively expensive? If a public sector subsidy from NYCC was introduced this could make the product both more attractive for the public and the operators therefore delivering the labour flexibility and a possible shift away from the car.  NYCC have said that they will look at any proposals and discuss the costs and benefits of a subsidy. 

Alternative Products 

It is not certain whether creating two products, a zone 1 – 6 rail only, and a zone 1 to 6 rail plus 1 to 5 bus would be taken up by the public or would it be largely symbolic.  There is the opportunity to develop different more specific products that could support businesses, students, tourists, the social excluded or groups that can travel off peak all at discounts from the main offer.   An example of the business product could be that a company purchases 20 tickets at a 15% discount for any of their staff to use therefore reducing car usage etc.  Students currently pay £5.50 per week for METRO tickets and this could be expanded to zone 6 so allowing students from West Yorkshire to come to Craven College or for outdoor pursuits in the Dales but also Craven Students to go to other colleges and universities and leisure activities in Leeds etc.  The tourist card could allow travel anywhere in the City Region plus discounts to attractions for a week.  

Next Steps

METRO are aiming to introduce a Zone 6 on the 1st January 2009 although what that will comprise of is uncertain.  They will be developing a range of options based on the issues set out above and this should be produced by September. So watch this space for further developments.

Due to change of job and a increased number of evening council meetings attended in last few weeks the website has not been updated. This will be remedied in next few days and will be regularly updated from then on.

Sorry once again to those who have visited site and only come across out of date news.

Last week councillors voted to defer a decision to sell council owned land to a local company - Bentleys. In an awe inspiring display of prevarication and fence-sitting after 2 earlier policy committee decisions to sell the land - members decided that sitting on a decision for another 3 months was the best way forward(ie the preferred approach to making a difficult decision is not to make one at all). I am well aware of reports on this issue that might have, should have, been read - they were available for all. I was certainly well briefed and ready to make an informed decision on the night.

Decisions already taken are outlined below -

Council Meeting of 22^nd January, 2008, the Council:

 Resolved – That the recommendations in the following minutes are confirmedMinute POL.75 (Relocation of Successful Local Business – Land at Gargrave Road, Skipton) – Recommendation (2) to read as amended below:“That the Council agrees in principle to Option 1, subject to suitable restrictions because of concerns that ad hoc development will cause problems with the infrastructure; that the motion is deferred until the Gargrave Road Task Group and the consultants to be employed have had time to consider the full effect of developing the area and how it relates to the forthcoming Local Development Framework; and that a report back is made to the Council Meeting on 15^th April’.” 

Policy Committee recommendation of 19^th December 2007 which stated:

 “RESOLVED – (1) That the offer made by J N Bentley’s Ltd. for the field OS 5707, Gargrave Road, Skipton is noted.” 

“RECOMMENDED – (2)That field OS 5707, Gargrave Road, Skipton is disposed of to J N Bentley Ltd., subject to the Council at least achieving the market valuation for the land as set out in the Valuation Report at Appendix C to the Director of Community Services’ report (exempt from publication) and planning permission being obtained.”

Even with a full study and the following conclusion was arrived at - 

With overwhelming evidence to support the land sale it seemed the need to make a difficult but important decision was shelved for politically expendient reasons - why make an unpopular decision when it is election time? Bending over backwards to get a few votes from nimbys is ducking the issue. I am certain that those same councillors would not think twice about voting for this in snaygill or south craven - to move the problem where it will not lose them votes or upset the “preserved in aspic” brigade. Skipton is a vibrant and growing town it needs to prosper - to provide employment for not only the next generation but others to come. There was no real reason to delay this decision. Lets hope that this does not backfire on us and this district loses yet another major business and employer.

Rumours about the cessation of another local bus route have reached me. There are to be changes to some routes in South Craven that will come into force on April 28th. The utilisation of community transport to fulfil routes that were dropped by commercially run Keighley and District will be good news for South Craven villages that are now missed out by the express A629 route between Keighley and Skipton. It will be a service that is very different to what we are used to but it will be better than the service provided before  - more flexible and better suited to the villages of Aire Valley. There is more to come, I am negotiating with the operator to put an extended service for 1 or 2 hours after the school run (16:00 - 18:00) every day monday - saturday. This will be announced when all partners have agreed costs and details.

In the meantime here are details of the new service…

South Craven Village Bus The South Craven Village Bus replaces the current journeys run between 0900 and 1500 by Keighley and District from Monday 28th April 2008. 

How will the South Craven Village Bus run? The South Craven Village Bus will be run as a demand responsive Community Transport service operated by Little Red Bus.  

What is a demand responsive service It is a service where the journeys are only operated  as needed and therefore travel has to be pre-booked. The route and times of journeys will vary according to the journeys booked by passengers and the need to bring together a group of passengers.  

Where can you travel on the Village Bus The area has been split into two zones, Zone 1 covering Lothersdale and Zone 2 covering Farnhill and KIldwick. Please see map over for details of area. You can travel wholly within a zone, between the zone and a connecting point in Croshills for the local bus services to Keighley and Skipton. Some journeys can be run through to Skipton Bus Station or Rail Station. 

 When does the South Craven Village Bus run? Journeys can be made between 0930 and 1500 on a Monday to Saturday.   

 The Booking Arrangements As a Demand Responsive Service passengers must pre-book their travel and to make your bookings contact Craven Voluntary Transport on 01756 701045 between 0800 and 1700  Please remember that journeys are provided on a first come first served basis so it is better if passengers book a day or two before they wish to travel. 

Timed journeys These times are a guide to help passengers to book their journeys. The times are not fixed and can be varied but must start and finish within the time that the Village Bus runs. 

Lothersdale Zone 0945 Lothersdale to Skipton and to make connections with bus to Keighley at 1010 from Crosshills1125 Skipton and Lothersdale and connection with bus from Keighley departing at 1120 in Crosshills 

Farnhill & Kildwick zone 0915 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton.1135 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton.1445 Farnhill and Kildwick to Crosshills for connections to Keighley and Skipton. 1000 Crosshills to Kildwick and Farnhill1220 Crosshills to Kildwick and Farnhill with connections from Keighley and Skipton. 1005 and 1225 Kildwick and Farnhill to Skipton 1125 and 1435 Skipton to Farnhill and Kildwick 

Concessionary Travel As a Community Transport service the South Craven Village Bus does not fall within the Concessionary Travel scheme. Passengers who hold a concessionary pass issued by Craven District Council can travel free. Please advise at the time of booking and you must present your pass to the driver when travelling. 

Another scam uncovered by NYCC trading standards department -

North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards and Regulatory Services are warning business to be aware of companies’ cold telephone calling.

It  was brought to my attention recently that there were issues over bus operator Burnley and Pendle not accepting free passes from Cowling residents on the 08:55 Colne to Skipton(3 people turned off the bus this week).

Craven District Council assured me that the concessionary passes should be honoured. Any bus driver on this route who might be reading this - you really should be accepting these passes. Not to do so is wrong and just plain mean spirited.

Craven will ensure that this mix up will not happen again. Lets hope this will be the last time this issue is raised again. Life’s tough enough without having to fight and argue for what you are entitled to!

I was recently interviewed by Drystone Radio(a direct consequence of this website). Drystone Radio is a non for profit organisation which broadcasts regularly to the dales with the aim of providing a voice for this community.
David and his team made me feel welcome and skilfully teased out views/opinions in the interview, they took my 15 minutes rambling and made me sound erudite and articulate - quite a feat!

If you would like to listen to some quality radio with a local slant and tackling local issues I suggest you give it a listen.