The best and worst of... Small market town... Big issues...
(And no that is not the real council's crest, this one even has 3 roast chickens on it)
The best and worst of... Small market town... Big issues...
(And no that is not the real council's crest, this one even has 3 roast chickens on it)
22nd OCT 2024
It’s said that a spend-hungry councillor is seeking funding for a £4billion underground system for Ross-on-Wye.
“Other towns go for pedestrianisation, but with 18,000 new homes being built in Ross in the next 14 weeks it is clear we need to re-think our transport network and prepare Ross for the next 50 years with its very own tube system”, said the mentalist.
The electric trains, running on clean energy are proposed to connect key points around the town using three separate underground lines. The Central Line’s key stop will be at the Market House, with its station accessed via sandstone descending steps (which the councillor says will be funded by Heritage England, not by Ross Town Council, so it doesn’t matter what the cost is), as well as further stations at Five Ways, Smallbrook and Alton roads.
The much shorter Eastern line will shuttle passengers between the Market House and Coffee #1, with that station’s steps rising up next to the seldom-working, rarely-used digital notice board.
The Northern line will connect Tudorville and Brampton via the central Market House station. It will terminate outside JKHS reducing times for students to get to school in the morning whilst alleviating traffic on Ledbury Road, cited as justification for the £4billion project.
A majority of councillors voted for a feasibility study to be undertaken at a cost of £45,000 for the ill-thought out Ross Underground project. Those proposing the motion made clear that it’s only “Herefordshire Council money”. The study is said to include terracing around each of the stations, with out-of-keeping glass doors, as well as elaborate irrigation systems, planters and green landscaping outside the station entrances.
Regional evening news TV asked the awkward question to those championing the project “are you mad?” and coverage returned to the studio.
In related news….
Ross-on-Wye Town Council has recently wanted a £25,000 feasibility study into pedestrianisation to take place, after the earmarked £25,000 wasn’t needed for something else. It was immediately suggested that the funding be switched to a pedestrianisation study with councillors throwing in other questionable ideas to be 'bolted on' in an Alan Partridge “monkey tennis” like moment (watch and reminisce here).
**A reminder to all, that when Ross Town Council encourage, endorse or request spending of funds that aren’t theirs, they do so often from grant money, Herefordshire Council money, or DBID money. The spending of all these external sources of funds should be carefully considered as all are public money.