Bath & North East Somerset Council has confirmed the permanent closure of Winifred’s Lane, a move that remains highly contentious among local residents. The restrictive measure, part of the “Lower Lansdown and Circus Liveable Neighbourhood” (LTN) scheme, was initially implemented on a trial basis in November 2024. However, despite 72% opposition within the trial area, the council voted to make the closure permanent.
Council cabinet member Joel Hirst argued that many objections “overstate the potential harm from the scheme,” emphasizing a discrepancy between community perception and the council’s data analysis. He acknowledged, however, that there are “areas of concern” — most notably, a significant increase in traffic volume on Sion Road, a narrow street adjacent to a primary school.
The Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group, which has led the opposition to the LTN, condemned the decision as “shameful” and signaled plans to explore options to reverse the closure. The group highlighted safety risks, documenting hazardous driving behaviors such as cars mounting pavements near school entrances since the trial began.
READ MORE: Popular Somerset Theme Park Enters Liquidation, Future Uncertain
READ MORE: Police Seek Three Men Following Racially Motivated Incident in Bath
According to council data, roads like Cavendish Road and Lansdown Crescent experienced traffic reductions, but Sion Road saw vehicle numbers roughly double—from around 1,022 to between 1,909 and 2,196 vehicles daily during the trial. The council acknowledged this displacement and pledged to implement “mitigations,” including a revised parking scheme outside Kingswood Preparatory School to enhance driver visibility and create passing spaces.
Fellow cabinet member Manda Rigby noted that congestion on Sion Road heavily correlated with school drop-off and pick-up times. She emphasized the council’s commitment to working with the school to encourage active travel and alternative transportation options for students and staff.
The controversy underscores a wider debate about the balance between promoting sustainable, low-traffic neighborhoods and addressing community concerns about traffic safety and congestion. While the council insists the LTN aligns with its objectives to support local trips by walking and cycling and reduce shortcut traffic to and from the surrounding motorway network, many local residents feel their voices have been overlooked in the decision-making process.