Chris Bray

Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Teignmouth

Archive for March, 2008

CHRIS BRAY OPPOSES ANY INCREASE IN PARKING CHARGES

March 8th, 2008 by chrisbray

County Councillor Chris Bray spoke out against any increase in on-street parking charges in Teignmouth at the HATOC meeting in Newton Abbot held on the 7th March. Despite his appeal, other Councillors, from both County and District, agreed an increase, but less than that recommended by the officers. The finally agreed charges see an increase in Teignmouth, for half an hour, from a 30 pence minimum charge, to 40 pence and for an increase, for an hour, from 60 pence to 80 pence. The recommendation before councillors was for a minimum charge of 50 pence.  Opposing the recommendation Chris said, “I think that the vast majority of us present in the chamber today subscribe to the principles which have in the past been agreed between Teignbridge and Devon Councils, namely that there should be comparability between on and off street parking with a level of charges set to encourage those seeking parking, to, first of all, go to an off street car park.  However, this is an agreement and a partnership between DCC and the local District Council.For this to work it has to be a two-way street, with negotiations between the parties as to what are appropriate charges. There are very good reasons relating to the Government’s clear underfunding of the National Free Bus Pass for the over 60s scheme, that have forced Teignbridge to raise their charges yet again this year. In fact, if I were a Teignbridge Councillor I would undoubtedly have voted in favour of the increase in Teignbridge because they were faced with no real alternative. (As a side thought, the whole bus pass funding issue could be resolved by the Government agreeing to fund real costs, retrospectively) However, we are in a situation where yet again Teignbridge have raised their charges and we are once again being invited to play “catch up.” We are being asked to increase the charges for thirty minutes in Teignmouth, from 30pence to 50pence, an increase of 66%.  I am sorry, I am not going to be voting for that, when, only three years ago, Teignmouth residents were paying 10 pence for 20 minutes. And there is another issue Chairman, you have before you a list of towns and cities in

Devon whose residents at present do and do not pay for on street car parking In blue, is a list of towns which presently charge for on-street parking, including as you will see, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Newton Abbot. In red, you will see a list of towns which presently DO NOT charge for on-street parking, including the coastal towns of Kingsbridge and Seaton, who do not pay, whilst Teignmouth and Dawlish do and also relatively large communities like Ivybridge, Tavistock and Tiverton who do not, whilst Newton Abbot does.  You will observe, Chairman, that there are a large number of communities that presently do not pay on-street parking charges and the question needs to be put, with the advent of Civil Parking Enforcement in May of this year on a County wide basis, shouldn’t there be greater equity across Devon?   I believe there does indeed have to be equity across the County.  Why should the residents of Teignmouth be paying into the fund for the new civil parking enforcement officers, whilst the people of Ilfracombe do not. So, Chair, to sum up, I oppose this increase firstly, because I believe it to be excessive and not negotiated with the District Council and secondly, because I believe that until we get equity across the County, with all communities paying parking fees fairly, we should hold our charges until other communities pay their fair share.” Chris was subsequently told that there was an understanding by DCC that there should be more equity and that plans were being developed that over the next few years other communities across other Districts of Devon would indeed start to pay, in the way that those in Teignbridge did now. The HATOC committee is a joint DCC and TDC committee which annually sets the fees for the following year. Over a long period there has been an attempt by DCC to match its rates with that of Teignbridge, so as to encourage those seeking parking to use car parks rather than drive around towns seeking parking spaces.

Boost for Teign cycle/pedestrian route

March 4th, 2008 by chrisbray

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The long awaited cycle-pedestrian route between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot has been given a £330,000 boost. Devon County Council has allocated the cash towards linking up the two towns, alongside the Teign estuary.Now local councillors and cycling groups hope that the cash injection will be the start of making the ‘gem’ of a route a reality at last.The money was approved by the executive committee, and comes from the government allocation for transport.Teignmouth county, district and town councillor David Cox, said he hoped even more funds might come from the £60million windfall from the sale of Exeter Airport.He added: “It is great news. I know it has been talked about for several years, and many people were becoming frustrated at the lack of action, but now this could kickstart the project from the Teignmouth end.“Sustrans (the sustainable transport organisation) has already allocated a large sum for the link between Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot, and officers will now be finalising the preferred route from Teignmouth.“It will probably run behind the docks, past the rugby club, and under Shaldon Bridge towards Bishopsteignton.” Fellow Teignmouth county councillor, Chris Bray, shared the enthusiasm, and added: “It would be a gem of a route because it so picturesque. “It ticks all the boxes because it is flat, and would attract commuters, leisure cyclists, families, locals and holidaymakers. “The main A381 road between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot is not suitable for novice cyclists and children because of the many heavy lorries that use it to and from the docks. “But a safe, cycle and pedestrian path would be ideal, taking cars off the road and reducing pollution and emissions. People from the Newton area would be able to cycle to the beaches in a few minutes, without the bother of parking the car.” And another estuary county councillor, John Smith, the deputy leader who represents Kingsteignton, was equally enthusiastic. “It will benefit the whole area, and give a big economic boost to local businesses because it would attract walkers and cyclists all the year around,” he said. Cllr Cox added that the final route could be held up because of objections from some landowners around Bishopsteignton, but he hoped the problems could be resolved in an amicable manner. He would now be pressing officers to work towards seeking planning permission for a route. “I am sure public opinion is behind this scheme, and the more support we get the better,” he said.

Teignmouth Community College Sports Hall, a Step Nearer

March 3rd, 2008 by chrisbray

A new Community Sports Hall is a step nearer at Teignmouth Community College. Money was allocated for advanced design work at Devon County Council’s Executive meeting on the 26th February, when the County’s Capital Programme budget was agreed.

 Welcoming the move, local County Councillor and Executive Support member Chris Bray reminded the Executive that he and Cllr Cox had hosted the leaders of DCC and Teignbridge at a site meeting in June 2006, at which the local councillors had pressed the case for a new Sports Hall for the school. At that time the budget was not available from DCC, but Cllr Bray has continued to work with the school, DCC and Teignbridge to progress the project.Cllr Bray said, “Teignmouth
Community College are anxious to become a Specialist Sports College and yet it is one of only two Community Colleges in Devon without a dedicated Sports Hall.  I am therefore particularly pleased that the Lib Dem Administration at County Hall has set in train the process which will hopefully deliver first class facilities for our local pupils and also possibly the local community in the near future.”Executive Portfolio Holder and Kingsteignton Councillor, John Smith, who is responsible for all children’s work in Devon - including the school building programme - said,  “I am delighted that I have been able to make provision in the budget for two school based sports centres.  

Teignmouth Community College and Teign School have both used Broadmeadow in the past and as a consequence are the only two secondary schools in Devon that do not have very close access to an indoor sports facility.   Teignbridge District Council have the opportunity to share in these facilities and make them broadly based community sports centres.   It is very good news for the area.”  College Principal Tony Gray said, “I am delighted with this positive news and look forward to working with the County Council and possibly other partners to progress this much needed facility for the college and local community.”