A contentious plan to prevent through traffic in Bath by blocking three roads has been put on hold following a legal challenge from local residents seeking an injunction.
The initiative, part of the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s liveable neighbourhood programme, was intended to create safer and more pleasant routes for walking and cycling. However, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impact on road safety and traffic flow by some residents who believe the plan will make roads more dangerous rather than safer.
The plans, initially scheduled to commence next week, are now on hold until a court hearing on August 8. The outcome of this hearing will determine whether the suspension will be upheld or if the application for an injunction will proceed to a judicial review.
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Manda Rigby, the council cabinet member for highways, emphasized the importance of informing residents about the pause in the scheme until the next week’s hearing. The council will be reaching out to residents to provide updates and encourage them to check the liveable neighbourhoods webpage for further information.
One of the contested plans was to install bollards across Winifred’s Lane, and implement a “no right turn” sign from Cavendish Road onto Sion Hill, redirecting traffic from Lansdown Crescent. This proposed change has sparked concern, as it could potentially route traffic along Sion Hill Place and Julian Road, passing by local schools. A petition against the plan has garnered over 2,700 signatures, reflecting the significant local opposition.
In addition to the injunction’s effect on the scheme, the council still plans to carry out traffic signal work. As part of these proceedings, access into the upper end of Gay Street from George Street will be restricted on August 6–7, and parking on Gay Street will be temporarily suspended. Residents are advised to remove parked vehicles from the area by 7am on August 6.
Should the liveable neighbourhood project proceed, it will undergo a trial period of at least six months before a decision is made regarding its permanence. Meanwhile, a similar trial is currently underway on Sydney Road, where bollards have been installed at its intersection with Sydney Place.
This scheme has provoked significant controversy, receiving both praise and criticism. While some individuals have expressed relief from the dominance of motor vehicles, others from neighboring roads have reported an increase in congestion, contributing to concerns over safety. Even Parliament has engaged in debate over the divisive plan.