New project to make over Bath 'gateway'
People living in the London Road area of Bath could soon see their street transformed as plans for a regeneration project make progress.
The London Road Gateway Group, which is made up of local councillors and residents, has secured £750,000 from Bath and North East Somerset Council to fund a clean-up and makeover scheme for the area which has been labelled "an embarrassment".
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PICTURE: Lloyd Ellington
Councillor Cherry Beath, the cabinet member responsible for sustainable development, spoke at a meeting last week about the importance of getting the work done.
She said: "This is an exciting time for the residents of London Road.
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"We are releasing the money which was approved by council in February so we can get projects off the ground as soon as possible.
"I'm really glad we have been able to get on with this so quickly. We have achieved a lot in a short time and this regeneration will help reverse years of neglect of this area by the previous administration."
The support from the council has been welcomed by members of the Gateway Group, who said they were keen to get started, including improving the look of some of the rundown buildings at the city centre end of the road.
Councillor Lisa Brett (Lib Dem, Walcot) said: "The London Road desperately needs this regeneration project.
"I hope that the improvements to the street scene and buildings lining London Road will help attract inward investment to the area, bringing new jobs and opportunities to our residents. The project will also enhance the eastern gateway to the city, helping to improve Bath's reputation."
Councillor Paul Fox (Lib Dem, Walcot), added: "The state of London Road has been an embarrassment to the city for far too long. This investment will help create a neighbourhood where people will be proud to live."
Comments
by Mr_Nemo
Saturday, June 23 2012, 9:13AM
“"I like the way they've planted trees in the centre of the Bath Road....."
Sounds a bit like BANES having them in the centre of car-parking spaces, and look at the trouble THAT causes :)”
by MoeXXX
Saturday, June 23 2012, 1:59AM
“I had the good fortune to stay in the Bath Spa Hotel once. In the morning, I opened the curtains to my balcony to the most magnificent view of Bath I'd ever seen - the Abbey, the Royal Crescent, Lansdown and the hills behind - and trees positioned strategically to obscure the gasometers and all the less-wealthy bits.
Never underestimate the power of a tree.”
by BV_BV
Friday, June 22 2012, 11:35PM
“But if the area is known to be an embarrassment, why wasn't something done to address the situation many years ago? Is this more to do with politics? Will the area be tidier just before the next elections?”
by TeabagTerry
Friday, June 22 2012, 10:29PM
“As Elevation has already stated, £750,000 is buttons. They need several times this, unless they are just "planting a few trees". And as the money is being administered via the council, you can bet your bottom dollar a great deal of it will be wasted. The Snowhill estate is an appalling eyesore and well overdue for demolition.”
by rogerh3
Friday, June 22 2012, 5:38PM
“I like the way they've planted trees in the centre of the Bath Road between Brislington and Temple Meads.”
by VikingX
Friday, June 22 2012, 5:23PM
“Trees are nice to look at and very good for the environment.”
by MajorFlack
Friday, June 22 2012, 4:45PM
“Yes, plant trees. Hug them. Ignore the real issues.”
by rogerh3
Friday, June 22 2012, 4:30PM
“More trees, please.”
by Elevation
Friday, June 22 2012, 2:26PM
“£750,000 is NOT a lot of money when it comes to dramatically improving a whole road or area. Exterior environmental make-overs cost millions, not hundreds of thousands. So let's hope every pound of this very small sum is used to the greatest visual effect!”
by MajorFlack
Friday, June 22 2012, 1:04PM
“Walcot's Lisa Brett says: "The project will also enhance the eastern gateway to the city, helping to improve Bath's reputation"
Is that the same city who's "gateways" are about to be closed by her own council executive, to people who might be using the London Road by car?
I think what she probably meant is: It might look a little bit nicer for anyone having drive around the city's outskirts (over Cleveland Bridge) as long as what they're driving is not an HGV.”