A temporary experiment to coach and taxi drop-offs in the city centre will start from today as part of the Council’s forthcoming project to enhance the look, feel and experience of people on foot on the High Street.
Changes to islands, footways and crossing points have been carried out using cost effective temporary surfacing on Terrace Walk to enable the experiment. This will be carefully monitored and reported back in due course. Subject to the outcome, a permanent high quality paving surface would be implemented in Terrace Walk.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said, “The Council is improving streets and public spaces in Bath which require some adjustments in the city centre. One of these improvements is creating additional space for people on foot and reducing congestion on the High Street by moving one bus stop further round towards Bath Abbey.
“This part of our public space improvements requires changes to where taxis and coaches are currently located at Orange Grove and Terrace Walk, in addition to other minor road changes. The initial consultation period will take place over the next six months and we will be monitoring closely how well these changes work as well as listening to people’s views.
“The High Street scheme is representative of the excellent progress being made on the Council’s fifteen year programme of improvements. This will ensure that we have a high quality physical environment befitting a World Heritage Site where all types of business feel they want to locate and where people spend their free time in an enjoyable city centre. In turn, this will strengthen the local economy as new jobs and business opportunities are created which has clear benefits for local people.”
The Council recognises the concerns of some traders in the vicinity of Orange Grove about the impact of the coach and taxi changes. These independent traders make a very important contribution to the economic life and reputation of the city. The Council has been working with them to mitigate the impact.
In an effort to continue to encourage visitors to dwell in Orange Grove, a new on-street display will be located between the Abbey and the shops interpreting the fascinating history and evolution of this historic quarter. ‘Sulis’ the pig from King Bladud’s public art event will be relocated to the east end of the Abbey. The Terrace Walk changes enable coach drop off on the Island in response to traders wish not to have drop offs on to the narrow pavement outside their premises.
The main changes include:
- New coach drop-off/ pick-up locations will be available on Terrace Walk and North Parade;
- Tour bus and bus stops relocated locally within Terrace Walk;
- The taxi rank will be extended at Orange Grove – there will be no coach drop-offs at this location from now on;
- Resident permit parking will be available in York Street;
- One new loading bay will be available on the north side of Orange Grove;
- Two new disabled parking bays will be available on the north side of Orange Grove;
- Deliveries in Terrace Walk can be made either before 9.30am and after 8pm or by using the loading bays provided on the western side of Terrace Walk.
- Motorcycle parking can be located at Manvers Street car park or at the Sports and Leisure Centre
Full details of the changes and the Council’s public realm improvement programme can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/publicrealm People can also contact Council Connect via [email protected] or 01225 39 40 41.
