A row of bollards in Bath, initially introduced as a temporary trial, has now been approved to remain permanently, sparking ongoing debate within the community.
Installed in April 2024 between Sydney Road and New Sydney Place, these bollards formed part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s liveable neighbourhood (LTN) initiative. LTNs aim to reduce traffic through residential areas to create safer, quieter environments for pedestrians and cyclists. However, this particular scheme has been met with significant controversy.
While residents of Sydney Road generally support the changes, people living nearby, particularly on Beckford Road, have expressed strong opposition. They argue that diverting traffic from Sydney Road has increased congestion and hazards on their streets, effectively turning Beckford Road into an “unliveable neighbourhood.” The trial also encountered early challenges, such as large vehicles mistakenly entering Sydney Road and needing to turn around.
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Following the trial’s conclusion, the council decided to make the scheme permanent despite pushback from some councillors. After a March vote dismissed challenges, a formal traffic regulation order was issued and publicly consulted on in July.
The Bath and North East Somerset Council has now finalized the decision, confirming the LTN’s permanent status. Joel Hirst, the cabinet member for sustainable transport strategy, thanked residents for their participation and directed those interested to the council’s website for detailed consultation results and monitoring data.
The entire project carries a price tag of £833,000, funded through the government’s city region sustainable transport settlement. Of this, £306,000 covered the initial trial phase. The council emphasized that this investment also includes the cost of making the scheme permanent and accompanying improvements such as a new pedestrian crossing on Sydney Place.
Next steps include replacing temporary kerbs with permanent ones and modifications to the North Road junction aimed at improving cyclist access, although these changes fall outside the current traffic regulation order.