What is the new LTN plan for Hanover and Tarner?

Still waiting for the new LTN plan for Hanover and Tarner

What is the new LTN plan for Hanover and Tarner? I don’t know, because we are not being allowed to see anything. We are now six weeks away from the ETSC meeting that will decide the future of the LTN in our area. It’s very likely that it will be approved, unless Labour decide to get on board, and we have no real idea what form it will take. In a recent ETSC meeting on January 17th, we were informed by Cllr. Elaine Hills that the plan would be available to view at the beginning of February. It’s now the beginning of February, where is it? We’ve had repeated deadlines for this go by, we should not have to wait any longer. Withholding the plan appears to be a delaying tactic by the council designed to avoid criticism and scrutiny until it’s too late. Here’s all the information we are currently being given by BHCC.

The last ‘Liveable Neighbourhood’ plan was such a complete disaster that we are obviously keen to take a look at the new one. We’d also like an opportunity to comment and ask for changes, though apparently BHCC are not going to allow this. It seems unreasonable that, after putting forward a completely unworkable first plan (costing council tax payers £150,000 for absolutely nothing so far), we are now expected to trust our council to come up with a brilliant scheme second time around that will need no changes.

What is the new plan likely to look like?

Although we haven’t seen the official plan, we have had a sneak preview of something that looks likely to be close to the final version. This will include a Bus Gate, now moved half way up Southover Street, and a complete split between the top and bottom half of Hanover. It also shows some particularly dumb road blockages, such as a three way dead end at the end of Ewart Street at the junction with Islingword Road, plus the same closures of almost all roads in and out of the area. If this is the plan, it seems like a desperate attempt to keep the LTN alive, rather than anything that will benefit the area.

The consequences of withholding information

Withholding information about the new plan has real life consequences for both residents and businesses. I was speaking to a lady who runs a seamstress service in Hanover recently. She’d started up about a year ago and she was doing quite well. She had looked at the first plan and realised it might be impossible for her business to survive. She was just about to renew the lease on her premises and didn’t know whether to go ahead or not. She still won’t have the information needed to make that decision, I don’t know what her position is now. My own business will also be badly affected by an LTN, so I’m now thinking of retiring or moving to another area. We want to know the new plan for the LTN in Hanover and Tarner now.

This may well reduce the services offered into Hanover as well. I’ve used a particular tradesman for years, he’s just heard about the LTN and doesn’t know whether he’ll continue to work here if it goes ahead, it may not be viable if it increases his journey times. I’m sure there are many other people who are being affected. If you have a personal story about this, please leave it in the comments section below.

All the guidance on LTNs says that residents should be involved in the planning. We were not properly involved or listened to, we were told what was going to happen and then ignored. We are still being excluded from the process. We should have been allowed a yes/no vote on the LTN, we still want one! Please check the main website for more information.

Update on funding for the LTN and boundary road improvements

Update from the Elm Grove/Queens Park Road/Egremont place engagement meeting last night (02/02/23). It now appears the the LTN is completely tied to the boundary road improvements, meaning the funds from the 1.2m Carbon Neutral Fund and the £300,000 LTN loan are interdependent. This comes directly from lead BHCC officer Andrew Renaut. This is completely contrary to what we’ve been told previously, i.e. they are separate projects. So, we’ve been fed a year of lies on that subject. Time for a new consultation.