Residents' associations in Bath have labeled the Lower Lansdown Liveable Neighbourhood a “failure” amid ongoing council discussions about its future. Implemented on a trial basis since November 2024, the scheme includes the closure of Catharine Place and, most notably, Winifred’s Lane to through traffic, alongside significant alterations on Gay Street.
Liveable neighbourhoods, also known as low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), aim to reduce speeding and enhance safety and walkability in residential areas. However, several residents' groups—such as the Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group, Sion Hill/Summerhill Road Residents’ Association, and Sion Hill Place Residents’ Association—have voiced strong opposition, highlighting increased traffic congestion and safety hazards since the changes.
A key concern is the modal filter on Gay Street, which now forces traffic to divert via George Street rather than directly connecting Queen Square and the Circus. The closure of Winifred’s Lane has been particularly contentious. After bollards were installed to block through traffic, many drivers inadvertently had to reverse out onto a blind junction, creating dangerous conditions. Confusion also arose when “road closed” signs appeared, leaving residents unsure if local vehicle access was permitted.
Data commissioned by the Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group revealed a staggering 700% increase in vehicles passing a nearby junior school following the closure. The group warns this has compromised safety in multiple spots, including around schools, dangerous bends on Sion Road, and the junction of Morford Street and Lansdown Road. Cyclists are also at risk, as they navigate the steep descent of Winifred’s Lane and its intersection with Cavendish Road.
Despite these criticisms, some residents support the scheme, praising its role in curbing reckless driving. A local woman told the council that since the trial’s start, her family had avoided walking during school run times due to traffic dangers, which the scheme has helped mitigate.
A public consultation ran until April alongside the trial, but the council has emphasized that consultation results are advisory, not decisive. Bath and North East Somerset Council has not yet announced when a final decision regarding the scheme’s permanence will be made.