Why is this important? Small and large cities throughout the UK are being choked both environmentally and economically by car traffic. The only ones that have reversed this trend are those that have installed trams - Birmingham, Croydon, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, and the Docklands Light Railway. Find out more about how buses and trams together cut congestion, pollution, emissions and revitalize cities - whereas buses on their own never have: https://tinyurl.com/54z4eeud. Bath and Bristol Area Trams Association - BABATA - website: https://bathtrams.uk/ contains well referenced research which demonstrates the truth of all our statements, and which apply to almost any crowded British City. Note: we are a friendly social group with regular meetings - please - join us as there are many small fun tasks that need doing to make this happen - could be writing a letter to the paper, or the WECA mayor, proofreading a letter or leaflet, keeping a Facebook post up to date, booking a social get together, or simply posting on social media, etc. email us on [email protected] if you want to attend our regular Thursday fun meetings up stairs in a Bath Pub. Our task is twofold: 1. to convince the West of England Combined Authority, WECA, Mayor which has the authority and ability to access the necessary capital. (And to assist other appropriate authorities in other non-tram cities) (We understand very well the bureaucracy and politics that have to be negotiated to improve all transport, not just trams in our area). Thus, we are pushing for the WECA mayor to take his ITA - Integrated Traffic Authority Powers as have e.g., Birmingham Manchester etc. which powers they have used to install their splendid tram systems. 2. To inform the inhabitants and national and local politicians of Bath, Bristol, Radstock and other areas nationally of the credible, proven reasons why trams must be reinstalled in all our cities allied with planning policies to locate all new buildings - offices and housing along tram lines; Trams in town centres (but integrated with buses for peripheral and rural areas) work because enough previous car drivers will use the tram so it is not stalled by the previous car traffic. The reasons for this are: People like the fact they are not crammed together staring at the back of someone’s head. Children etc. are not trapped next to strangers due to bench seating on a tram and can easily move around. Ultra-rapid boarding and de-boarding - through multiple large doors, not possible on buses Trams inherently are able to operate more frequently than buses for unalterable technical and economic reasons. Are ultra-reliable. Faster through traffic, in even through crowded narrow streets due to Green Wave Traffic Light Prioritization https://bathtrams.uk/green-wave-traffic-light-pre-emption-work-tram-coming-bathford-via-batheaston/ ( not generally applicable to buses). Two tram cross town trips are acceptable, due to the low wait between connections and the reliability. This means parents will trust their children to trams. Also: Overall fare costs are cheaper than buses. Have about 1/3 the lifecycle energy consumption of buses due to much lower rubber tire friction. Have zero emissions, i.e. no toxic tyre dust due to steel wheels Do not need separate segregated routes, i.e. share exact same road as cars. And: Trams can negotiate all the narrow streets and steep hills in Bath There are systems which avoid having overhead wires Bath is certainly not too small for trams - there are many cities much much smaller than Bath with trams, and we are talking about connections to Keynsham, Bristol and Radstock. https://bathtrams.uk/cities-with-small-population-tram-systems/ Bath And Bristol Area Trams Association meet every 2nd Thursday 2. Email [email protected] for details. We have 3 tram supporters lists you may wish to join: 1. for members, absolutely no spam, just one monthly mail / newsletter to advise of meetings and events. 2. Local Bath and Bristol tram supporters - lots of chat about the issues pertaining to Bath and Bristol. Can be set to every email, or periodic summary. 3. National list for technical experts, those who want technical chat, or to know about national campaigning (we work closely with the national LRTA the Light Rail Transit Association https://www.lrta.org/). Can be set to every email, or periodic summary. 4. Very infrequent about 4 times a year list. Email [email protected] advising of any lists you would like to be on.  Detailed papers: 1. ComparativeBenefits of Trams and Buses in Urban Public Transport 2. Dispelling the myth that trams need special seperate segregated path through traffic 3. “Glue-in-the-Road” TramTrack Systems versus Conventional Deep Excavation Methods 4. Why trams are essential to improve city productivity 5. Overhead wire-freeTechnologies for Tram Propulsion 6. Birmingham Tramworks Show Utilities Don’t Always Need to Be Moved: Minimal-Dig Track Methods in Action – A UK & International Perspective

Since the pandemic there has been a significant rise in children suffering with mental health. 1 in 9 leapt to 1in 6. With a 33% rise in educational settings putting in referrals to CAMHS, who have a minimum waiting period of 12 weeks in some areas. (The average child is rejected sometimes up to 3 times before they even make it on to the waiting list.) children just aren't getting the support they need to engage with their education. Teachers in mainstream educational setting are ill equipped to know how to recognise early signs and are unsure what steps to take if they are concerned because the guidelines are not clear enough or local services are over stretched and can't accept more referrals. On school site counsellors would help avoid crisis point in some of the most vulnerable children giving them the opportunity to build resilience and emotional maturity. With 75% of adult mental health issues beginning before the age of 18. We need to be doing more!

It is vital for our cultural wellbeing that we have a flourishing arts sector that is accessible to anyone with a talent and passion for the arts. If this cut goes ahead, only wealthy students will be able to study subjects such as music, drama and dance. This will not only stifle creativity and innovation in the arts, but have a hugely detrimental impact on an industry worth billions to the UK economy (music alone was worth £5.8 billion in 2019).

To many people are being discriminated for being disabled and not getting the help they need.

There have been numerous collisions along Shirley Drive in recent years and it is indefensible that Brighton and Hove council refuse to install a pedestrian crossing anywhere along this road. There are four primary schools and two secondary schools close by, as well as all the foot traffic going to and from Hove Park and Hove Rec. This means there's nowhere safe to cross for a large number of school children, young families, the elderly and disabled - who all have to try and navigate a 30mph road with no crossing. The speed limit should also be reduced to 20mph to increase safety and reduce noise pollution. From the seafront up to the start of Hove Rec there are eight pedestrian crossings and a 20 mph limit. I do not understand why Shirley Drive is exempt from these safety measures when it is an extension of the same road. Please sign and help make our environment safer for the whole community.

Presently an underage mother can only claim the second child amount via her parent.

Severe cases of ASD not currently recognised to be a severe mental impairment, People with children that have severe ASD desperately need this support as their children are severely mentally impaired

Red listed kittiwake are on the brink of extinction. This is a valuable nest site that has been used for years by these birds.

For security of one's car and easy access into one's house after parking. Especially with carrying heavy groceries shopping into one's house or when someone reaches old age, you wouldn't have to struggle to get into your property.

This rule of 3 jnder 5 is inconvenient to families and childminders across Wales when we have to decline extra hours to existing families when childminders in England van deviate away from NMS if they risk assess.

Because children are becoming over weight because of not enough exercise.

To block access surrounding the outter part of the estate and stop people from entering factoring forestry land, breaking the plants and trees and being able to vandalise people's homes.