The contractors were just working on the pavement crossover today.
They uncovered pipes in the pavement, which could be ruptured by heavy lorries crossing,so will have to move or protect them.
The case officer is keeping his head down. After assuming no nesting problem because the trees had already gone, he is bringing in the Council ecologist to inspect for nesting birds.
We can't trust the Council and demand that they allow an independent professional to do the inspection.
BPA have a leaked email pressurising the planners to let the plans through.
also the engineer's report has been altered between two versions to say "unsafe" and
"unacceptable".
Disability Discrimination Act. Danger to disabled people
The bridge is too steep for wheelchairs, so why they didn't choose a DDA-compliant design. I did raise with Pat Thompson (Project Manager) the point about wheelchair-users on the 4-metre wide 'path' being passed by large lorries (or feeling scared and going down the 1 in 5 slope).
think of the space for a 2.5m lorry, 1m clearance, 0.6m wheelchair and say 0.3m at each edge.
The footway over the bridge with kerbed section to protect pedestrians going to nothing where the bridge narrows may also be non-compliant.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Monday, 15 June 2009
Bute Park watch
Bridge/Road site on North Road...
It was pretty quiet this morning, they've cordoned off one lane of highway, pushed pedestrians onto the cycleway and cordoned off the carpark. Just now one contractor van (Griffiths, Abergavenny) has arrived, 3 guys and a small JCB.
It looks as if they will be building the pavement crossover first...to make life difficult for cyclists and pedestrians.
It was pretty quiet this morning, they've cordoned off one lane of highway, pushed pedestrians onto the cycleway and cordoned off the carpark. Just now one contractor van (Griffiths, Abergavenny) has arrived, 3 guys and a small JCB.
It looks as if they will be building the pavement crossover first...to make life difficult for cyclists and pedestrians.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Lorraine Barrett to raise question re Bute Park
Lorraine Barrett AM to ask a question in the assembly re the Bute Park work..
Lorraine says she is "very concerned about this work going on during
the nesting season and I am thinking of raising a question to the First Minister
on Tuesday, concentrating on the nesting issue but also mentioning the way that
the council has generally dealt with this matter without regard to so many
peoples' concerns."
http://www.lorrainebarrett.co.uk/
Cardiff's planners will fail city of the future
http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1cc87019637a97bbfc1a2ec95&id=77c69ec37e
Lorraine says she is "very concerned about this work going on during
the nesting season and I am thinking of raising a question to the First Minister
on Tuesday, concentrating on the nesting issue but also mentioning the way that
the council has generally dealt with this matter without regard to so many
peoples' concerns."
http://www.lorrainebarrett.co.uk/
Cardiff's planners will fail city of the future
http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1cc87019637a97bbfc1a2ec95&id=77c69ec37e
legal challenge overr libdems/plaid plan for Bute Park Road
- tell your cllrs to pull off the contractors
- respect the condition against works in the nesting season
- who is ready to demonstrate at short notice
- volunteers sought to record birds on or near the construction site email annegre@aol.com
07817513610 Join us on the FACEBOOK Group
Disgraceful behaviour and lies of Cllr Howells and lib dem/plaid cardiff council exposed!
Environment lawyer calls for
OPPONENTS of council plans to drive a lorry access bridge and enlarged, raised roadways through
Environmental lawyer, Cambridge-based Richard Buxton, has called on
The EIA would properly assess the full impact the council’s proposed developments will have on the Grade I-listed historic landscape and arboretum with rare trees, as well as the adjacent wildlife habitat and mature woodland.
In a letter Mr Buxton also reminds the council of the strength of public opposition to its plans, and its duty to fully inform and consult the public when taking environmentally sensitive decisions.
Professor Kevin Morgan, chairman of campaigning group Bute Parks Alliance, said: “It is quite clear that the council has failed hopelessly in its duty to properly inform the public of its plans.”.
“Nowhere in its disingenuous ‘information’ material does it clarify that the proposed access bridge is more than 28 feet wide, and will be raised on pillars, and that sections of the current eight-foot path would be more than doubled in width and turned into a lorry roadway raised on an embankment.
“Nor does it say it would be still wider on curves to accommodate the largest lorries and that still more of the meadow would be converted to a lorry waiting bay.”
A host of celebrities, among them actors Matthew Rhys and Ioan Gruffudd, and entertainer Griff Rhys Jones, oppose the plans.
A
“It is not aware of any legal challenge to its processes in regard to the new bridge access at
“Once again the council would reiterate that full consultation has been carried out regarding the proposed access bridge and there are no plans to use the park as a money making facility by allowing an increase in major events.
“The new bridge will make it safer for users by relocating traffic away from principal routes used by pedestrians and the Taff floral border where people enjoy sitting out.
“The council is working to enhance and improve
The spokesman added that, in the council’s view, there is no need for a formal EIA.
gareth450 wrote:
The council declares that a full consultation was done with regards to the bridge. This is a lie. Many people on their list of people and groups that apparently gave letters of support to the council for this have no knowledge of the councils bridge plans. Some of these groups include Cardiff Horticultural Society, The Victorian Society, Environmental Agency, Welsh Institute for Sport, Cardiff Union and University ....... For more details and the collected evidence go to http://sites.google.com/site/butepark/bridge-road-development/consultation.
The consultation with the public caused over 1000 people to complain (according to the councils own planning report).
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Bulldozer Howells gives work go ahead on BUTE PARK road despite the birds
Cardiff Council apparent intention is to ignore the nesting season Condition 20.
Case officer Richard Cole had no approach to waive the condition on
no tree-clearing or vegetation clearing till 31 July, no 'ecologist' report from the developers...
if the contractors come across nesting birds then they'd have to stop.
He doesn't appreciate how much vegetation is there, saying all the trees have gone already (untrue). So it would take some pressure to force them to acknowledge that moving any equipment onto the site would indeed disturb any nesting birds - so agree to stop this until and unless it is conclusively shown there are no nesting birds there.
Have you got the skills to inspect and record birds on/near the site?
Bulldozer Howellls is allowing work to start on a huge bridge and ROAD into listed Bute Park for articulated lorries. This destruction and concreting over of swathes of the memorial gardens in Bute Park is totally unnecessary. Bulldozer Howells uses the Capital Times to lie about his plans. He calims to have only one tree will be chopped down when we have photographs that clearly show all the tress felled and those that are still to be felled.Only bulldozer Howells and his lib dem council could contemplate such an act of vandalism on the jewel of Cardiff, listed Bute Park and claim to to be 'green' at the same time..
1,633 people on the Green Party Facebook group ACT NOW to save Bute Park say STOP IT!
While Cadw stand by!! And the heritage lottery fund fund 'restoration' of the park!
The Law ** as I understand it makes it an offence to
intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built
so the Planning cdn should/must mean more than this.
It should mean in this situation that nesting birds must be presumed present - and likely to suffer from disturbance - in the adjacent trees/bushes as well as the undergrowth. I found Gloucestershire's guide - below - there must be people who know good practice (biodiversity officer or RSPB)
Of course, if someone could find a nest in the undergrowth, that would be conclusive.
** Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as strengthened in January 2001 by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
(CRoW)
PROTEST write to Cardiff Cllr for parks NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Lib dem leader of the council rberman@cardiff.gov.uk,
letters@guardian.co.uk
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,
Gloucestershire Bird Nesting Advice Note
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/adobe_acrobat/7/4/Bird_Nesting_Advice_Note_Gloucestershire1.pdf
As a general rule, it should be assumed that birds will be nesting in trees, scrub, reeds or substantial ditch side vegetation during the core breeding period, unless a survey has shown this not to be the case.
The following protocol should be followed if work is deemed to be necessary within or close to the core bird nesting season, or may affect the habitat of a species known to nest outside the core season.
• Before works commence a suitably qualified or experienced person should undertake a careful survey of the proposed working area to ensure that there are no nesting birds.
Case officer Richard Cole had no approach to waive the condition on
no tree-clearing or vegetation clearing till 31 July, no 'ecologist' report from the developers...
if the contractors come across nesting birds then they'd have to stop.
He doesn't appreciate how much vegetation is there, saying all the trees have gone already (untrue). So it would take some pressure to force them to acknowledge that moving any equipment onto the site would indeed disturb any nesting birds - so agree to stop this until and unless it is conclusively shown there are no nesting birds there.
Have you got the skills to inspect and record birds on/near the site?
Bulldozer Howellls is allowing work to start on a huge bridge and ROAD into listed Bute Park for articulated lorries. This destruction and concreting over of swathes of the memorial gardens in Bute Park is totally unnecessary. Bulldozer Howells uses the Capital Times to lie about his plans. He calims to have only one tree will be chopped down when we have photographs that clearly show all the tress felled and those that are still to be felled.Only bulldozer Howells and his lib dem council could contemplate such an act of vandalism on the jewel of Cardiff, listed Bute Park and claim to to be 'green' at the same time..
1,633 people on the Green Party Facebook group ACT NOW to save Bute Park say STOP IT!
While Cadw stand by!! And the heritage lottery fund fund 'restoration' of the park!
The Law ** as I understand it makes it an offence to
intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or being built
so the Planning cdn should/must mean more than this.
It should mean in this situation that nesting birds must be presumed present - and likely to suffer from disturbance - in the adjacent trees/bushes as well as the undergrowth. I found Gloucestershire's guide - below - there must be people who know good practice (biodiversity officer or RSPB)
Of course, if someone could find a nest in the undergrowth, that would be conclusive.
** Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as strengthened in January 2001 by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
(CRoW)
PROTEST write to Cardiff Cllr for parks NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Lib dem leader of the council rberman@cardiff.gov.uk,
letters@guardian.co.uk
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,
Gloucestershire Bird Nesting Advice Note
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/adobe_acrobat/7/4/Bird_Nesting_Advice_Note_Gloucestershire1.pdf
As a general rule, it should be assumed that birds will be nesting in trees, scrub, reeds or substantial ditch side vegetation during the core breeding period, unless a survey has shown this not to be the case.
The following protocol should be followed if work is deemed to be necessary within or close to the core bird nesting season, or may affect the habitat of a species known to nest outside the core season.
• Before works commence a suitably qualified or experienced person should undertake a careful survey of the proposed working area to ensure that there are no nesting birds.
'bulldozer' Howells
I have heard reports that 'bulldozer' Howells is allowing work to proceed
on the new road into Bute Park.
email hime with your views NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
This is the CADW which is there to
on the new road into Bute Park.
email hime with your views NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
Write to the echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk and you may like
to give your views to CADW Cadw@Wales.gsi.gov.uk
This is the CADW which is there to
- protect and sustain
- encourage community engagement in
- improve access to
the historic environment of Wales. This includes historic buildings, ancient monuments, historic parks, gardens and landscapes, and underwater archaeology but fails to do this.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Cllr Howells Lib Dems lies and propaganda on BUTE PARK
Why is Cllr Howells and the LIB DEMS spending council tax payers money on such blatant propaganda!! read June edition of Capital times yourself here
Q: There has been some criticism about the council’s proposals for Bute Park, why do you think that is?: "I think the main reason is because people aren’t being told the truth about our proposals by some of those who are opposing it. If someone said to me that a dual carriageway was being bulldozed through the park, trees were being cut down and the council was going use the park as a cash cow to host more events I’d be furious too."
Councillor Howells lies as no one ever suggested that a dual carriageway was to be built through the park!
TRUTH - shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.
Q: So what exactly are the proposals? Executive member for Sport Leisure and Culture, Councillor Nigel Howells,
"We are building a new access bridge off North Road which will allow service vehicles that need access to avoid the busiest areas of the park. The new bridge will take vehicles away from the historic heart of the park, leaving it traffic free for the public to enjoy. This will significantly improve both the safety of park users and reduce the damaging effects vehicles cause to the unique heritage of the park."
TRUTH:NO NO NO There won't be more SAFETY for PARK USERS - it won't as it moves the traffic and articulated lorries and the risk to pedestrians elsewhere.
Q: What about criticism about paths being widened and trees cut down to accommodate
the bridge?
Councillor Howells: "There will be some widening of
paths near the new bridge (
to 8 metres) so that vehicles can get into the park and access the nursery and some paths will be marginally extended, but the truth is
that this will have minimal visual impact on the park (really???) Only one holly tree is being lost as a direct result of the development " LIE
TRUTH
JUST Look at what Cllr Howells has done in BUTE PARK and need I say that more than one tree has been chopped and the one with the X for the chop!! And there are the trees that are to be chopped back to accommodate passing articulated lorries!
Q: There have also been arguments about the bridge leading to more vehicles entering the park and the council laying on more events to generate more money.
Councillor Howells: I can categorically deny both
these points. They are simply untrue. .. All the restoration work will be
enhanced by provision of on site visitor facilities and interpretation. The nursery will be developed as an educational and training centre for our own staff, schools and the community,
Furthermore we will be able to increase staffing levels within the park. (and increase Traffic)
Q: You have also been accused of not consulting over these plans and forcing them through.
Councillor Howells: Again, nothing could be further from the truth. We have consulted extensively over our plans and had widespread support from
many organisations including historic bodies. In terms of the bridge it went
through the correct planning process with all legal requirements rigorously
adhered to." except for the work illustrated in the photographs went ahead WITHOUT permission!!
During the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Flower Show weekend" thousands of visitors signed a petition against and were horrified to hear more of the park was to be concreted over! Not to mention the thousand plus who signed the petition and wrote to cllrs to complain about the plans and who Cllr Howells has ignored. Lib Dems have also ignored the 1,628 members facebook group of objectors to their plans!
Q: Finally, how important is Bute Park to Cardiff.
Councillor Howells: "There has been a lot of misinformation regarding Cardiff Council’s plans to build a new access bridge into Bute Park."
YES and Cllr Howells is the one giving the misinformation!
Find out the facts, which include:
*The shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.
*Roadways enlarged and raised to accommodate articulated lorries.
*Mature trees lopped to allow huge lorries to pass.
*A turning circle on the meadow - yet more tarmac to allow articulated lorries freedom of access into our park.
Add your voice to the campaign and join Bute Parks Alliance
Further information : savebutepark@yahoo.co.uk
or annegre@aol.com
Q: There has been some criticism about the council’s proposals for Bute Park, why do you think that is?: "I think the main reason is because people aren’t being told the truth about our proposals by some of those who are opposing it. If someone said to me that a dual carriageway was being bulldozed through the park, trees were being cut down and the council was going use the park as a cash cow to host more events I’d be furious too."
Councillor Howells lies as no one ever suggested that a dual carriageway was to be built through the park!
TRUTH - shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.
Q: So what exactly are the proposals? Executive member for Sport Leisure and Culture, Councillor Nigel Howells,
"We are building a new access bridge off North Road which will allow service vehicles that need access to avoid the busiest areas of the park. The new bridge will take vehicles away from the historic heart of the park, leaving it traffic free for the public to enjoy. This will significantly improve both the safety of park users and reduce the damaging effects vehicles cause to the unique heritage of the park."
TRUTH:NO NO NO There won't be more SAFETY for PARK USERS - it won't as it moves the traffic and articulated lorries and the risk to pedestrians elsewhere.
Q: What about criticism about paths being widened and trees cut down to accommodate
the bridge?
Councillor Howells: "There will be some widening of
paths near the new bridge (
to 8 metres) so that vehicles can get into the park and access the nursery and some paths will be marginally extended, but the truth isthat this will have minimal visual impact on the park (really???) Only one holly tree is being lost as a direct result of the development " LIE
TRUTH
JUST Look at what Cllr Howells has done in BUTE PARK and need I say that more than one tree has been chopped and the one with the X for the chop!! And there are the trees that are to be chopped back to accommodate passing articulated lorries!
Q: There have also been arguments about the bridge leading to more vehicles entering the park and the council laying on more events to generate more money.
Councillor Howells: I can categorically deny both
these points. They are simply untrue. .. All the restoration work will be
enhanced by provision of on site visitor facilities and interpretation. The nursery will be developed as an educational and training centre for our own staff, schools and the community,
Furthermore we will be able to increase staffing levels within the park. (and increase Traffic)
Q: You have also been accused of not consulting over these plans and forcing them through.
Councillor Howells: Again, nothing could be further from the truth. We have consulted extensively over our plans and had widespread support from
many organisations including historic bodies. In terms of the bridge it went
through the correct planning process with all legal requirements rigorously
adhered to." except for the work illustrated in the photographs went ahead WITHOUT permission!!
During the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Flower Show weekend" thousands of visitors signed a petition against and were horrified to hear more of the park was to be concreted over! Not to mention the thousand plus who signed the petition and wrote to cllrs to complain about the plans and who Cllr Howells has ignored. Lib Dems have also ignored the 1,628 members facebook group of objectors to their plans!
Q: Finally, how important is Bute Park to Cardiff.
Councillor Howells: "There has been a lot of misinformation regarding Cardiff Council’s plans to build a new access bridge into Bute Park."
YES and Cllr Howells is the one giving the misinformation!
Find out the facts, which include:
*The shocking dimensions of the proposed access bridge - larger, wider, higher than the council has admitted to, and raised on concrete pillars.
*Roadways enlarged and raised to accommodate articulated lorries.
*Mature trees lopped to allow huge lorries to pass.
*A turning circle on the meadow - yet more tarmac to allow articulated lorries freedom of access into our park.
Add your voice to the campaign and join Bute Parks Alliance
Further information : savebutepark@yahoo.co.uk
or annegre@aol.com
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