A local councillor has questioned the scheduling of the Bath Half Marathon on “such a significant day in the calendar” after he faced a frustrating two-hour traffic ordeal trying to navigate through the city.
On March 15, more than 12,500 runners took part in the annual Bath Half Marathon, weaving through the city’s streets. The men’s and women’s winners, Joe Wigfield and Alex Bell, completed the 13.1-mile route in impressive times of 62 and 69 minutes, respectively.
However, Peasedown St John councillor Gavin Heathcote (Independents for B&NES) experienced extreme delays when attempting to drive home from Marshfield that day. He highlighted that March 15 also coincided with Mother’s Day, which may have compounded stress for those trying to enter Bath to visit family.
Speaking at a recent Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting, Heathcote described his ordeal: “Knowing the marathon would be taking place, I planned to avoid city centre closures and took an alternate route through Toghill and past Bath Racecourse. However, I was surprised to find the racecourse designated as a parking area for the event.
“Traffic was heavily congested, and after navigating through it, I found every route near Newbridge closed. Crossing the river became nearly impossible because all roads were closed without clear diversion signs.
“Traffic management personnel seemed ill-equipped to guide motorists efficiently through the closures. It’s hard to understand why the city centre was effectively shut down without proper diversions, especially on such an important day. Many people were left stranded trying to visit their parents.”
The marathon’s route took runners along Upper Bristol Road and Newbridge Road, returning via Lower Bristol Road and Great Pulteney Street, with the start and finish at Royal Victoria Park. While road closures were announced beforehand and diversions publicized, Heathcote found the reality confusing and poorly managed.
In the midst of the traffic chaos, Heathcote assisted several motorists in finding their way out towards the A36, Wellsway, and other routes. One grateful visitor, trying to see her parents, later expressed thanks for his help.
Heathcote stressed, “This is not a criticism of the Bath Half Marathon itself—I appreciate the event’s importance and benefits. But holding it on Mothering Sunday raises serious concerns about planning and community impact.”
Since 2023, Heathcote has served as councillor for Peasedown St John. Following the 2024 general election, he stood as an independent candidate for Frome and East Somerset. He is currently a member of the Independents for B&NES group on the council, formed in April 2025 after a split from the main Independent Group.