Following the successful completion of the rejuvenation of Queen Square, work to improve connections in the area for pedestrians and cyclists is expected to begin at the end of January.
This will see the creation of a new pedestrian island and cycle link, including a section of the pavement lowered at the north west corner of the square at the junction with Queen Square Place.
It will provide a more direct route for cyclists travelling north and south between the Weston area of Bath through Royal Victoria Park and the city centre or Bath Spa station.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib-Dem, Newbridge), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “These latest improvements will help us develop our walking/ cycling strategy to make Bath the UK’s most walkable city as part of our Getting Around Bath transport strategy.”
The new pedestrian island is also designed to be removable to enable two or three sides of the square to be closed to traffic for temporary events and celebrations.
It is hoped the 2015 Boules Festival will be the first to benefit from this new facility.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The rejuvenated Queen Square Gardens are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors who enjoy the historic landscape.
The added feature of the removable traffic island will enable future road closures for the square meaning that it will be able to host a wide range of exciting events such the Bath Boules.”
Councillor Andrew Furse (Lib-Dem, Kingsmead), Local Ward Member, said: “Having fully supported the historic improvements to Queen Square these changes will make cycling easier and allow for traffic movements to be altered for special events.
“Many residents in Bath regularly wonder why such an historic square is used as a traffic roundabout, now we can trial part closures for special events.”
Work is expected begin at the end of January and is scheduled to be completed within two to three weeks.
Traffic will flow in two directions on the north side during this temporary period in order to minimise disruption.
You can find out more about the Queen Square Rejuvenation at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/queensquareproject.
