A local councillor has questioned the timing of the Bath Half Marathon after enduring a two-hour traffic ordeal during the event, which coincided with Mother’s Day. Gavin Heathcote, representing Peasedown St John for the Independents for B&NES, expressed frustration over the city-wide road closures that made travel nearly impossible on March 15.
More than 12,500 runners participated in the annual half marathon through Bath, with winners Joe Wigfield and Alex Bell completing the 13.1-mile course in impressive times of 62 and 69 minutes respectively. While the runners enjoyed a swift race, motorists faced severe congestion.
Councillor Heathcote, who attempted to drive home from Marshfield, reported that his journey — which should have been straightforward — instead took double the expected time. “I made a deliberate effort to avoid the city centre and London Road, anticipating closures,” he explained at a recent Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting. “I tried alternative routes via Toghill and past Bath Racecourse, only to find the racecourse had been converted into a parking area for the marathon.”
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Heathcote described widespread traffic closures with limited or unclear diversion signage. “Traffic management staff seemed ill-prepared to handle the situation effectively,” he noted. “All routes required to cross the river were shut down, leaving many stranded and unable to visit their mothers on this important day.”
The marathon route spanned Upper and Lower Bristol Roads, Newbridge Road, Great Pulteney Street, and included two laps starting and finishing at Royal Victoria Park. Despite prior announcements and distributed leaflets detailing road closures and detours, motorists found navigation challenging.
During the delays, Councillor Heathcote assisted stranded drivers, guiding them toward alternate routes such as the A36, Wellsway, and past King Edwards School. One grateful motorist, en route to visit her parents, later sent him a thank-you message.
Heathcote clarified that his criticism was not aimed at the Bath Half Marathon itself, acknowledging the event’s significance and community value. However, he questioned the decision to schedule it on Mothering Sunday, highlighting the unnecessary stress caused to those trying to access the city on this sentimental day.
Since 2023, Gavin Heathcote has served as a councillor for Peasedown St John. He ran as an independent candidate for Frome and East Somerset in the 2024 general election and joined the Independents for B&NES group in April 2025 after a split from the main Independent Group.