Residents of Bath are launching a High Court challenge against a disputed liveable neighbourhood scheme that has doubled traffic near a private primary school. The controversy centers on Winifred’s Lane, a narrow one-way street at the top of Cavendish Road, which has been closed for two years as part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) programme.
Introduced on a trial basis in November 2024 to curb speeding, the lane closure aimed to make the area safer. Despite concerns raised about increased traffic on nearby roads, particularly the doubling of vehicles along Sion Road adjacent to Kingswood Prep School, the council made the closure permanent in February.
Opponents, led by the Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group, argue the scheme is unsafe and that the council ignored overwhelming local opposition. “After two years of trying to have councillors listen, we have no option but to seek legal recourse,” a spokesperson said. They highlight that 73% of residents directly affected by the closure opposed making the trial permanent, accusing the Liberal Democrat-run council of sidelining local democracy and neglecting safety concerns, particularly regarding children.
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Council cabinet member Manda Rigby defended the decision, emphasizing the thorough consultation process and confirming the council’s intention to vigorously defend the scheme in court.
Further political friction arose when backbench councillors from Independent, Labour, and Conservative groups called in the decision to finalize the LTN. However, the climate and sustainability scrutiny panel dismissed the call-in.
Councillor Mark Elliott, representing Lansdown ward which includes Winifred’s Lane, argued the road was previously dangerous. “Before the closure, Winifred’s Lane saw 1,300 cars daily on a narrow, nearly pavement-free lane with high walls and hedges—conditions that were potentially lethal for pedestrians,” he said. Elliott noted the scheme reduced northbound traffic by 40% and transformed a hazardous path into a safer route for children walking alone.
Council data indicates that while traffic has decreased on Cavendish Road and surrounding streets, the volume of vehicles on the lower Sion Road—marked by blind bends—has nearly doubled, rising from an average of 1,022 to between 1,909 and 2,196 vehicles daily during the trial period. The council also reported instances of “poor driver behaviour” and has promised to introduce mitigation measures on that road.
The dispute highlights the challenges of balancing traffic management, safety, and community preferences in urban environments.