Archive - Friday, 29 August 2003


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"Axe CTEP!" say Standard readers

AXE the Cirencester Traffic and Environment Plan!

That is what YOU the public have overwhelmingly voted through the Standard's 'for or against' phone poll.

A disappointingly low number of people called to place a vote but we thank all those who did.

And the landslide view is that CTEP, which is currently being reviewed by Cotswold District Council, should not proceed.

The poll was conducted before we revealed, last week, that pulling out of phase two of the scheme, will save the average tax payer in the district just 57p.

But, out of the 424 calls from Cirencester residents, 286 voted against the ambitious scheme.

While in the rest of the district 133 out of 188 feel that CDC should take no further part.

CTEP chairman Deryck Nash, who is also town mayor and the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat Group on CDC, said: "It seems strange that many people have spent 26p (cost of the call to register the vote) in a bid to save 57p.

"It's disappointing after all the public consultation that went into the original exercise. "But it's quite understandable in light of the misconception about the amount of money people will save."

CTEP is being re-examined as part of a review of major projects, in a bid to save money for cash-strapped CDC.

The controlling Tory Group was set to pull out of phase two of the scheme but the council deferred making a final decision until later this year, following representations from project partners Gloucestershire County Council.

The Conservatives took control of CDC in May on the back of promises to keep the council tax as low as possible.

But, although withdrawal from phase two of CTEP will save CDC £435,000, only interest from that amount can be used to offset the tax bill - saving the average tax payer just 57p per annum.

* What's your view on CTEP? Email the Standard at editor@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk

Don't forget to include your name and full postal address so that we can publish your letter.