Bid to bring bus debate to public

There were positives as well as negatives at this week's Policy and Projects meeting.
Alongside the news that Boston's chances of getting a bypass now rate alongside those of a snowball in hell, another item saw a move to broaden the debate on the Into Town bus service, that would give people rather than politicians a say in the scheme.
The proposal - put forward by Conservative Myles Larrington - was to hold a debate on exploring the option of having a referendum on the Into Town Bus Service.
Councillor Larrington told Boston Eye:- "I believe it is time this council starting listening to the people, and it is time for us to debate whether we need to give them their say on this issue.
"I question how effective the original consultation was, and my hope is that by exploring the option of referendum it will generate a good public debate about the pros and cons of this service.
The committee has taken the proposal on board as part of their work programme to be debated some time next year.
"I think that it is about time that people are given a real chance to have their say, not through a consultation but through the ballot box," said Councillor Larrington.
"All the council is committing to at this stage is a debate. I think that - given the clearly flawed consultation process from Lincolnshire County Council, in light of the differing opinions this issue generates - that we owe it to the people of Boston to revisit this issue again.
"My own personal view is that the public will never be content as long as this issue is merely decided by councillors.
"The consultation only really included bus users and excluded the wider public who, being frequent visitors to Strait Bargate, clearly have strong views on this. To me, Lincolnshire County Council's argument regarding most people being in favour of the service is construed, as they only consulted those using service, most of whom are clearly going to be in favour of its continuation come what may.
"My hope is that this debate will not necessarily lead to a referendum (even though I am in favor of this) but that the public will get involved again and become more informed about the real issues.
"Basically, most people are unaware that we either have to keep the service going through Strait Bargate or not have it at all. Although I oppose having buses through the centre of town, I now know that due the way the routes are constructed, Lincolnshire County Council will be fined heavily if the services are not on time. This is not possible on a half hourly schedule without using Strait Bargate.
"By having this debate, I believe that it will better inform the public and the public response to the referendum idea will be an indication of the public's view on the Into Town Bus Service itself. "I am pleased to say that when I put this to the committee, it was supported by members from all political parties. I believe, particularly in the case of this council, there are too many times when we makes decisions on behalf of the people of Boston without giving them a proper opportunity to have their say.
"I cannot see what we, as a council, have to lose from giving the public a referendum and a vote on this issue.
"At the moment, the only foreseeable problem is that Lincolnshire County Council is soon going to make the traffic orders in relation to the Into Town Bus Service permanent. As far as I am concerned, if Lincolnshire County Council is stupid enough to do this having not properly consulted the public, then clearly they will have to face the consequences of this.
"As for the issue of expense, I realise this could be an expensive option but that is something the council will have to consider in full before making a decision to go ahead with this or not."

You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.