The Bath & North East Somerset Council is mulling over plans to bolster security in the city centre by proposing a round-the-clock closure of the Beau Street junction with Stall Street. The current closure from 10am to 6pm may be extended to cover the hours from 6pm to 10am. This security measure, also known as the ‘ring of steel’, involves the installation of barriers to mitigate potential vehicular attacks in vulnerable areas throughout the city.
Despite concerns about the considerable cost of these measures, estimated at £2.7 million initially and now reaching over £7 million, the council aims to gather public input on the proposal. The intended Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) seeks to improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians, enhance the area’s amenities, and complement existing traffic restrictions on nearby streets.
The proposed TRO includes replacing the current temporary barrier at the junction with aesthetically pleasing street furniture, as well as suspending a central zone parking bay and implementing a no parking/no loading restriction. Additionally, it entails temporarily permitting two-way traffic on a specific section of Beau Street to ensure continued accessibility for properties by car.
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The council assures that access to streets beyond the closure will still be available between 6pm and 10am via alternative routes, and discussions with emergency services and Business Improvement District have not yielded any issues.
The official consultation phase on the proposed TRO is currently underway, and the council cites several reasons under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984’s Section 1 to support the implementation of this measure. These include avoiding danger to road users and pedestrians, facilitating traffic flow, and enhancing the area’s amenities.
The intended focus of this measure is to ensure pedestrian safety and improve their overall experience in the city centre. Additionally, the proposal aims to optimize vehicle movement by halting the use of a parking bay and temporarily suspending a one-way order on Beau Street.