Backing for centre revival blueprint
A blueprint for regenerating public areas of Bath which suggests sweeping through traffic out of many parts of the city centre has been given final approval.
Scores of people and organisations have had their say on the council document which aims to create new public spaces and give pedestrians greater priority.
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queen square
Bath and North East Somerset Council's Public Realm and Movement Strategy, called 'Creating the Canvas for Public Life in Bath', was launched in 2008.
There has been an extensive consultation exercise over the past year and cabinet members Councillor Terry Gazzard and Councillor Charles Gerrish have now approved the final version of the blueprint.
The thrust of the plans were broadly welcomed by a range of organisations including the Federation of Bath Residents' Associations, the Campaign for Better Transport, the University of Bath, English Heritage, and local businesses.
Among the changes made to the original document is a greater emphasis on improving facilities for cyclists and a commitment to ensure the strategy fits in with efforts to find new uses for land along the River Avon - such as the old Stothert and Pitt factory.
The document calls for the removal of all traffic from Pulteney Bridge, the transformation of Saw Close and the banning of through traffic from parts of Queen Square.
Mr Gazzard (Con, Abbey), who is the council's major projects cabinet member, said: "It's extremely good news that these plans have received such wide support. It's clear that residents view improving the appearance of the city centre and making life easier for pedestrians as extremely important.
"The strategy gives us a clear and exciting vision for how public spaces can be improved in Bath in the coming years. It is a long-term strategy which centres on improving the appearance and use of the city centre, with better street furniture, improved signs and a more walkable environment. This is intended to increase footfall, benefit the economy and increase the well-being of residents and visitors alike."
"Comments and suggestions made as part of the consultation have been carefully listened to and incorporated into the plans."
Among the feedback was this comment from the Bath Preservation Trust: "The honest acknowledgement of the current state of decline presents a compelling case for change which enhances the credibility of the strategy."
Bath developer the L&R Group, which runs the Milsom Place shopping centre, said it was very supportive of the plans.
"If implemented, the proposals will undoubtedly stimulate investment in Bath."
Bath Abbey said it "strongly supports the major conclusions and recommendations contained within the report in particular the thrust of making the city more pedestrian-friendly."
To see the full report, go to http://tinyurl.com/ygg98p8
19 Comments
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by Derek S, Bath
Monday, March 15 2010, 1:07PM
“Victor - you are right about the HGV impact on the centre. But there's no reason to accept this is the result of the A4 bypass as the problem existed long before it came into use.”
by Victor, Lansdown
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:46PM
“No, the lorries simply clog up London Rd and Bathwick St. Quite commonly the resulting tailbacks from London Rd reach Queen Square so there is an impact on the central part of the city.”
by Derek S, Bath
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:38PM
“Victor - I don't think your comment is entirely truthful. Before the Batheaston Bypass was opened HGV traffic had little alternative when travelling North to South (or vice versa) that to use the A36 - A46 route. This still applies today and, as has always been the case, very little of it enters the 'inner city'.”
by Derek S, Bath
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:32PM
“Christine, yours is a very good question. Good luck with getting a respectful answer.
Bath is a very small city restricted by its terrain - so traffic and the business it brings has nowhere else to go (except Bristol or Swindon).
When looked at closely, the strategy reveals longer-term options for congestion charges, reduced access for those not on foot or bicycles, and increased parking restrictions for residents which will, of course, bring even more chaos to roads surrounding the city centre.
Facing similar questions the likes of Cllrs Gazzard, Gerrish and Haeberling and others promoting the Public Realm "vision" have given answers that the centre must be improved and in the process the outskirts of the city will have to suffer as a result. It's an opinion on which they've already spent considerable resources in attempting to establish it as an apparent fact.
In other words, and because the Public Realm apparently ends somewhere near Lansdown Crescent, those not living in the centre are unimportant and can rot!”
by Victor, also Lansdown
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:04PM
“The lorry problem dates from the construction of the Batheaston bypass, which made Bath a much more attractive through route for lorries which would formerly have used the motorway. But this consequence wasn't anticipated when the bypass was constructed.”