Anonymous campaign to derail plans to reopen Saltford Station

Anonymous campaigners who oppose plans to reopen Saltford Station are being encouraged to attend a public meeting tomorrow night for an "open discussion".

In the run-up to the meeting, which is being held at Saltford Hall at 8pm, local residents have received anonymous leaflets though their letterbox with the headline 'What will the opening of Saltford cost all of us?'

Saltford Station Campaign says the leaflet raises "myths and false claims" about the scheme to reopen the station, which closed in 1970.

In a statement it says: "Whilst it may be difficult to understand the motives behind a negative response to the future provision of such useful infrastructure for the benefit of the wider community, nevertheless the station campaign welcomes a healthy debate about how the station will impact on Saltford.

"Such a dialogue can help reveal concerns and solutions where these exist to enable the campaign and the parish council to communicate these to B&NES (Council) so that together we can ensure that our reinstated station is a community asset providing modern integrated transport solutions for the village.

"We hope the instigators of the leaflet will feel able to engage in a more open discussion with the campaign."

Saltford Parish Council is hosting tomorrow's meeting at which residents will have the chance to ask questions and express their concerns and hopes for the station. Among those on the panel will be Bath & North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for transport Cllr Roger Symonds, a council transport officer and a representative of the West of England Partnership.