Second phase of bus link is planned
COUNTY council leaders are already planning the second phase of a controversial bus link .
Senior councillors are confident that the Bus Rapid Transit scheme between Fareham and Gosport will be completed by March next year, in line with government deadlines.
And they are now working on what will happen afterwards.
Councillor Mel Kendal, in charge of environment matters for Hampshire County Counci;, said: 'We certainly hope to have a bus running up and down there by no later than March next year.
'The whole of the south Hampshire region wants us to get on with this first phase then our case for the second phase will be very strong. There is still money available from the government and I want us to be at the front of the queue for any of that money.
'I have spoken to transport minister Norman Baker and he seemed very keen on what we are doing. I have not received any kind of negative feedback from the new government.'
Earlier this week the Supreme Court rejected two out of three grounds of appeal by Viv Morge, of Wych Lane in Gosport. Miss Morge wants to stop the scheme on the grounds that it is harming rare wildlife. The Supreme Court also refused to grant an injunction halting any work until the final appeal is heard.
Both sides declared the verdict a victory, with Mrs Morge urging the council to stop work until the Supreme Court makes its ruling.
The county says appeals against the 20million scheme have left it with a legal bill likely to run into the tens of thousands.
Cllr Kendal said the county's costs have not yet been calculated, but added: 'The fact that the courts have consistently awarded costs in favour of the county council at each hearing, including this week's, certainly indicates to me that it is misleading for this to be reported as a legal victory for Miss Morge.
'At the moment we can't say how much fighting the case has cost, but it will all become public knowledge at some point. Theoretically the council taxpayer is owed that money by Miss Morge.'
Miss Morge said she had been using a combination of her own money and legal aid to fight the scheme. But she added: 'It would be foolish of them to carry on without hearing what the Supreme Court has to say.'
When completed, the BRT scheme will connect to Portsmouth, QA, Havant, Waterlooville, and Whiteley.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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