Yesterday, we talked parking, and today we move on to a subject not too far removed – the use of Strait Bargate as a rat run  by the Into Town bus service.
It seems that another pointless debate will be taking place later this month when Boston Borough Council’s Environment and Performance Committee is scheduled to discuss the service.
This is the same committee that, as we reported yesterday, is pointlessly postponing a debate on call for the introduction of resident parking schemes – even though residents in some areas are campaigning for them and are willing to pay, the issue will not be discussed until June.
Before then – on 19^th February – the committee is scheduled to discuss the bus service which is subsidised by Lincolnshire County Council until June.
It would seem that the so-called meeting would be a sensible time for the committee to debate the future of the service as far as its route is concerned – as the use of Strait Bargate is widely unpopular due to risk, noise, pollution, damage to the paving and the improper use of a pedestrianised area.
But it appears that the chairman, Conservative Councillor Mark Baker, wants what he has termed an “informal” briefing meeting, so that councillors can feel relaxed about making comments – why should they not be? This meeting which will not therefore be minuted … nor does it appear on the council’s agenda for February.
Interestingly, two Tory councillors have already voiced concerns about the buses using Strait Bargate.
Councillor Paul Mould is quoted as saying: “The sooner we can do something about the bus going through Bargate, the better. There is damage being done.”
And his Conservative colleague, Councillor Gloria Smith, is reported to have added: “There are all sorts of things that need to be looked at. What’s the point of having a pedestrianised area with a bus running through it?”
Unfortunately, these two councillors have a history of saying one thing and doing another – as fairly recently both pledged support for an Independent nominee to chair this committee but withdrew it on the day … Councillor Mould saying that he had been offered a chairmanship if he voted otherwise, and Councillor Smith for “secret squirrel” reasons.
So, if push comes to shove and the Tories demand a vote in favour of continuing the service through the precinct – as they assuredly will, being puppets of County Hall – then do not expect a rebellion from their quarter.
Any sort of debate will be the first real discussion since the service began, and it is interesting to recall that before the 2011 elections, every party bar the Boston Bypass Independents – which was in power when the service began – were highly critical of the route through the town.
The then Conservative Leader, Councillor Raymond Singleton-McGuire told a round table discussion on BBC Radio “There were six options on the table which we all agreed  and the option for the buses to go through the town centre itself was not put out to open debate, or even to other councillors. It was a decision made in private behind closed doors by the leader of which we knew nothing and it was actually implemented and I think it’s disgusting.”
Labour group leader Councillor Paul Kenny said: “The issue you’re talking about is going through Strait Bargate. Thousands of people when I talk to them are horrified by this and it seems to me that it was a decision that was not good for Boston…”
Independent group spokesman Councillor Richard Leggott said at the time: “The fact is that taking it through the centre of town is causing damage; it’s also quite unnecessary.”
And English Democrat group leader Elliott Fountain told the debate: “I disapprove of it going through the town centre, and I think this should be put to a vote for the people to get their opinion.”
It will be interesting to see – now that the bus service is up for renewal –  just how firm the Tories remain.
It seems unlikely that Lincolnshire County Council will withdraw its subsidy for the route as it pays a cheap form of lip service to easing Boston’s traffic problems.
And if Boston Conservatives’ Tory bosses are told by their Lincoln masters that they will vote to continue the scheme, then that’s exactly what they will do – and so will their sheeplike minions.
And it is interesting to note that with a confidence bordering on arrogance, Malcolm Wheatley, operations director for the bus operator, Brylaine, has been quoted as saying no changes will be made to the service.
Or perhaps he knows something that the rest of us don’t!

 

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