14 May 2014
Nadhim held a meeting with the doctors, District and County Councillors and Stagecoach last Friday to discuss what measures could be taken to address residents’ concerns. In terms of the site itself, Councillor Mike Brain is working with County Council officers to see what funding is available for additional signage on the road. He is also working with the contractors on the steps needed to prepare the site for buses (I understand that there is a different grade of asphalt required), including installing a second exit which would be temporarily blocked until a new bus route was in place. Councillor Darren Pemberton is working with District Council planning officers to investigate what planning conditions would allow for two bus stops to be installed off the road at a later date. Steve Burd from Stagecoach agreed to look at the bus route and timings to see if they could make a change in route work. However, given the tight timings on the current route, he advised that the earliest a change could be made would be in six months. Given that the site was yet to be completed, Nadhim felt it was vital that everyone worked together to ensure that all options remained open. Nadhim asked for updates from all parties as soon as possible. “I was pleased to hold a meeting with the Dr Tim Shackley, Steve Burd from Stagecoach, as well as representatives from the County, District and Parish Councils to discuss the access issues at the new Medical Centre. It’s great news that Bidford finally has a fantastic new medical centre, but residents are rightly concerned about public transport links. While these issues can’t be solved overnight, it’s important that everyone is working together to get a solution for that works for the people of Bidford. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and do all I can to ensure that residents can take full advantage of the new surgery.”