| Transport in the West of England - Hustings for the next WECA Mayor Posted by Red Squirrel at 08:50, 3rd April 2025 |     |
I attended this event at the Watershed, Bristol, last evening.
Five of the six candidates for WECA Mayor were present:
Helen Godwin, Labour
Steve Smith, Conservative
Mary Page, Green
Oli Henman, Liberal Democrat
Ian Scott, Independent
Reform's candidate Arron Banks was also invited. Social media posts had apparently indicated that he would come, leading to enhanced security and an anti-racist protest outside the venue, but he did not attend.
The candidates were asked questions such as: How did you get here this evening? (Steve Smith came by bus, Oli Henman took a train from Bath; I think the others all drove).
They all supported Bus Franchising and expanding the local rail network. Steve Smith opposed the Park Street Bus Gates and bus lanes on the Keynsham Bypass.
In summing up, Helen Godwin stated that while all the candidates (present!) were in broad agreement about what needed doing, a Labour Mayor under a Labour government was most likely to be able to deliver.
There's a full write-up by Bristol 24/7 here: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/ebln-lessons-reducing-car-dependency-weca-mayoral-hustings/
Oh, and full disclosure: I went by bus. But it was the last bus from Failand, at just before 6pm - so the only way back was to get Mrs Squirrel to give me a lift!
| Re: Transport in the West of England - Hustings for the next WECA Mayor Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:09, 5th April 2025 | |
An update, from BBC News, West:
Mayor hopefuls reject Park Street restriction plan
None of the candidates vying to become the next leader of the West of England have supported plans to restrict cars from a major Bristol road.
During a BBC election debate the six mayoral candidates for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) were asked if they were in favour of closing Park Street to through-traffic.
Bristol City Council's Green councillors approved the £15m plan to limit Park Street to only buses, cyclists and pedestrians at a meeting in March.
Not one of the candidates raised their hands in support of the plan - including Green Party hopeful Mary Page.
Reform candidate Arron Banks described the scheme as a "terrible idea", adding that businesses on the street had been forgotten. Pointing to a scheme banning through traffic from part of central Thornbury, where he lives, Mr Banks said it has created "a ghost town". "You've got to have some consideration for the people who trade there and it kills the vibrancy of it," he said.
Labour candidate Helen Godwin said she was "very unsure" about the scheme, raising concerns about traffic instead being directed past the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Bristol Royal Infirmary which she described as "already one of the most polluted streets in the country". She added that she was "not convinced" of the need for a bus gate on Park Street, having travelled through the area by bus during the morning rush hour without seeing heavy traffic.
On 1 May voters will head to polling stations to pick their new mayor of the West of England Combined Authority. Made up of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) and South Gloucestershire, the combined authority holds power over transport, skills, economic development and planning in the region. Decisions made by Weca, however, require the agreement of other council leaders.
During the BBC election debate, some of the candidates set out their transport plans if they were to be elected as Weca mayor.
(Article continues)
None of the candidates vying to become the next leader of the West of England have supported plans to restrict cars from a major Bristol road.
During a BBC election debate the six mayoral candidates for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) were asked if they were in favour of closing Park Street to through-traffic.
Bristol City Council's Green councillors approved the £15m plan to limit Park Street to only buses, cyclists and pedestrians at a meeting in March.
Not one of the candidates raised their hands in support of the plan - including Green Party hopeful Mary Page.
Reform candidate Arron Banks described the scheme as a "terrible idea", adding that businesses on the street had been forgotten. Pointing to a scheme banning through traffic from part of central Thornbury, where he lives, Mr Banks said it has created "a ghost town". "You've got to have some consideration for the people who trade there and it kills the vibrancy of it," he said.
Labour candidate Helen Godwin said she was "very unsure" about the scheme, raising concerns about traffic instead being directed past the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Bristol Royal Infirmary which she described as "already one of the most polluted streets in the country". She added that she was "not convinced" of the need for a bus gate on Park Street, having travelled through the area by bus during the morning rush hour without seeing heavy traffic.
On 1 May voters will head to polling stations to pick their new mayor of the West of England Combined Authority. Made up of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) and South Gloucestershire, the combined authority holds power over transport, skills, economic development and planning in the region. Decisions made by Weca, however, require the agreement of other council leaders.
During the BBC election debate, some of the candidates set out their transport plans if they were to be elected as Weca mayor.
(Article continues)
| Re: Transport in the West of England - Hustings for the next WECA Mayor Posted by johnneyw at 21:18, 5th April 2025 | |
Events at WECA have taken something of a turn this evening regarding the current Metro Mayor. This arrest is likely to have an effect on the continuing debates but by how much remains to be seen.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx48gq0y77o
| Re: Transport in the West of England - Hustings for the next WECA Mayor Posted by ChrisB at 10:09, 6th April 2025 | |
One allegation of rape is timed in the 2020s - and and a second allegation of misfeasance in public office seems to indicate an allegation while mayor?
