The Fashion Museum in Bath is one step closer to becoming a reality, as a series of overnight road closures has been announced for next month. The closures will facilitate road and pavement surveys ahead of the potential development of a new public space outside St Michael’s Church.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is evaluating the existing traffic flow in the vicinity of the proposed public square, aiming to identify opportunities for improvement based on the feedback received during the consultation process.
Scheduled to commence in April, the exploratory surveys are set to span 20 nights. Portions of various roads, including New Bond Street, Broad Street, Milsom Street, Walcot Street, and nearby thoroughfares, will be temporarily closed overnight in phases.
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The initiative forms part of the Milsom Quarter masterplan, a comprehensive endeavor designed to introduce a new Fashion Museum to the Old Post Office building, enhance housing options, revamp streets and public spaces, and attract a greater number of creative artisans and retailers.
The Milsom Quarter Public Realm (MQPR) scheme, as per the council, will initially focus on enhancing public spaces to complement Bath’s historical ambiance and incorporate green areas. This will include the establishment of a new public square at the front of the Fashion Museum, along with St Michael’s Church, which will also serve as a venue for outdoor events.
Councillor Paul Roper, the cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development, expressed that the Milsom Quarter Public Realm scheme aims to establish an inviting and pedestrian-friendly public space with a strong community presence, linking it to the overall improved public realm surrounding the new Fashion Museum.
Roper stated, “The area in front of the Old Post Office and St Michael’s Church is currently a bustling traffic intersection that lacks pedestrian-friendliness and welcoming attributes. Our goal is to transform it into a space where people can leisurely spend time.”
He further highlighted that the overnight surveys represent the next phase in the planning process, allowing for the consideration, consultation, and eventual drafting of detailed designs. Additionally, the overnight scheduling is intended to minimize disruptions, with apologies offered for any inconvenience caused during the works.
Initial concepts for the Milsom Quarter were subject to public feedback in May 2024, building on a masterplan consultation from 2022. The feedback indicated a desire for:
The council has assured that appropriate signage will be in place to guide motorists along diversion routes during the road closures. Furthermore, the surveys will not involve any digging or excavation.