Dear Editor,
Back in February I hosted a meeting in Saltford Hall to give the public a chance to discuss in an open forum their opinions on the proposed 1650 houses to be built on Greenbelt land between Keynsham and Saltford.
We also gave some time to the A4 bus lane proposals.
BBC Points West gave us excellent coverage throughout the day and the story led the evening news bulletin.
I’m pleased to report 150 people turned up on a damp Friday evening to hear what everyone had to say.
The overwhelming feeling from the audience was to reject both schemes as they would have very severe impact on the quality of life for those of us who live in Saltford and indeed Keynsham.
There were many knowledgeable and helpful people in the audience that night who have offered their help about fighting these proposals. It disappoints me to say that I was Saltford’s only ward Councillor in attendance and can assure everyone it was not a ‘political rally’. It was an opportunity for the ruling group at the Guildhall to put their case for building on Greenbelt and imposing bus lanes through the village.
Since the meeting I have had correspondence from many people thanking Richard Skinner and myself for taking the time and trouble to organise the event.
Many in Saltford are aware of the very personal attacks on me for having the temerity to have stood and indeed win the by election last year – the first time the ruling group have ever lost one since B&NES was formed!
Perhaps they should ask themselves why I won? Is it because Saltford is absolutely sick of what is happening to our lovely village? For them to claim the Regional Recycling centre at Pixash has had negligible effect on the amount of refuse lorries passing through on the already choked A4 is utter nonsense. For them to support WECA and it’s absurd bus lane scheme which will cause absolute havoc for us in Saltford and Keynsham-do they think people don’t notice what is going on? Do they think we don’t see the ridiculous amount of student accommodation that has gone up in Bath yet can’t make the link between that and pushing housing out onto precious greenbelt land?
It is clear that in 8 years of the current group running B&NES Saltford and Keynsham have borne the brunt of some terrible decisions. World Heritage status for Bath has had a bad effect on the hinterlands of Somerset. Blatant anti car policies for rural communities is ideological clap trap. We simply cannot transfer our journeys to buses, cycling, walking or ‘wheeling’ no matter what some policy wonk advisor from the largely pointless WECA says.
To be honest, I didn’t particularly want to do this.  I became so sick of the numerous ‘Focus’ leaflets that would regularly drop through my door describing some other parallel utopian universe that I, encouraged and supported by my many friends in Saltford, decided to stand for election.  I couldn’t care less about any personal attacks on me – water off a ducks back.  The saying goes – If you are over the target you begin to take flak.  More importantly though, is it not apparent to them these attacks are simultaneously an attack everyone who voted for me?  Be assured, I will carry on opposing and calling out what is being done with our money so say ‘Improving People’s Lives’.
Saltford Independent Councillor Chris Warren
