A public consultation has been launched in Bath on proposals for new anti-terrorism measures that would result in the roads around Bath Abbey being closed to most vehicles.
The plans, drafted by Bath and the North East Somerset Council (B & NES), call for Traffic Management Regulations (TRO) – which would allow the council to put in place “measures to mitigate enemy vehicles”.
These are designed to reduce the risk of a vehicle-based terrorist attack, such as a car hitting the curb – but the TRO would also prevent most vehicles from getting into the city center.
The proposals include restrictions on vehicle access to streets defined as crowded places in and around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.
Shoppers in Bath city center. Photo credit: PA
In order to introduce or enforce parking restrictions of any kind on public roads, road traffic regulations must first be introduced, says the council.
She is now inviting residents and companies to comment on the TROs.
On September 28, October 4 and October 12, the Council will hold drop-in meetings in the Commercial Hub for those interested to register here.
All B & NES Blue Badge holders will also receive letters of invitation to take part in the consultation.
Road closures
A public consultation is taking place on the plans (pictured: Bath).
The new proposals call for a number of roads to be closed to all cars, with the exception of blue badge holders and their caretakers, as well as the taxis that transport those with blue badges.
These streets would be:
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Closed between 10am and 6pm: Cheap Street, Westgate Street, Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls
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Closed between 10am and 10pm: York Street
The council says additional blue badges and parking spaces will be created outside the exclusion zone.
“A legal process”
The plans were originally based on an anti-terror survey conducted in Bath in September 2016that has been used to identify areas that are potentially vulnerable to vehicle attack.
The TRO was then recommended by the Avon and Somerset police last year.
However, they have been adjusted after a prior consultation from November 2020 to January 2021, which took into account public opinion and an independent study on accessibility.
Councilor Kevin Guy, Council Chairman, said, “Before we can proceed with the downtown security program to prevent vehicle attack as agreed in the Cabinet on July 20th, we must follow a legal process to remove TROs and TROs for counterterrorism purposes in place.
I would like to emphasize that the orders will not result in a loss of space for blue badges.
Cllr Kevin Guy, Council Chairman
“As soon as the orders have been agreed, we endeavor to continue to consult with disabled and community groups on how best to get people to the gates, which street seats are needed where and which design best meets the requirements of accessibility and protection of the Publicity.”
The city council says parking lots with blue badges are not affected by the plans.
That means those with a blue badge can park on Cheap Street, Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls on double yellow lines with controlled access for a period of three hours.
Additional seating would also be introduced on Cheap Street and Westgate Street, while fully accessible “parklets” would be interspersed at approximately 50 m intervals.
Lowered curbs and improvements to the pavement surface are also being introduced to provide better access to existing city center parking spaces, and additional bays for blue plaques are being proposed.
Councilor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Transport, added: “This scheme includes proportionate preventive measures to protect public safety, based on police advice that such a scheme should be put in place.
“But we also have to ensure that residents, companies and people with accessibility have a say in traffic regulations.”
