Bath will experience multiple road closures today (Saturday, 22 August) to accommodate the city’s annual Pride parade. Around a dozen roads will be fully or partially closed between 11.30am and 1pm to facilitate the march, including key routes such as Grand Parade and Pulteney Bridge.
These closures are intended to provide a safe environment for the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters to demonstrate solidarity. This year, organisers have emphasised support for transgender and non-binary individuals, reinforcing inclusivity within the event.
Phoenix Dewberry, founder of Safe Space Bath, explained the theme for this year’s Pride: “Bath Pride is about creating a space where our community can come together, celebrate and stand beside one another. We’re incredibly excited to welcome people back for our third year. This year, we are loudly centring solidarity with our trans and non-binary community and asking everyone in Bath to stand up and show up.”
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Participants are expected to gather at Kingston Parade from 11.30am, with the march commencing at noon from Abbey Square. The parade route will proceed through Stall Street, Cheap Street, Orange Grove, Grand Parade, Pulteney Bridge, Argyle Street, Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Place, culminating at Sydney Gardens.
Following the parade, a family-friendly Pride in the Park event will begin at Sydney Gardens at 1pm. Later, at 6pm, the newly introduced Late Stage event will start, catering to those aged 18 and over.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has emphasised that roads will only close when marshals and signage are in place to ensure safety. Additionally, the usual right-turn only restriction on Upper Borough Walls will be temporarily lifted to permit vehicles to turn left onto Northgate Street during the event.
For detailed information on Bath Pride’s schedule and specific road closures, residents are encouraged to consult official resources provided by Bath and North East Somerset Council.