We’ve put together a list of Bath’s top ten stories that have proved popular across the city during 2015, many of which you may have forgotten about as the year quickly sped past.
1. Four killed after tipper truck crash on Lansdown Road
In February 2015, the City of Bath hit national headlines after four people were killed in a tipper truck crash near the bottom of Lansdown Lane. The truck, carrying aggregate, lost control while travelling down the steep road and collided with a number of vehicles and two pedestrians. http://bathecho.uk/1mkRTxZ
2. Sherlock filming for Victorian special gets underway in Bath
Earlier this year saw hundreds of people descend on the area around Queen Street in Bath, hoping for a glimpse of Benedict Cumberbatch or Martin Freeman, stars of the BBC One drama Sherlock. The filming was for the New Year’s Day Victorian version of Sherlock, screening tomorrow at 9pm. http://bathecho.uk/1OuhhqM
3. Peasedown St John man jailed for five years after killing landlady
Jesse Harper, of Peasedown St John, was found guilty in October of manslaughter after pushing his landlady Joanna Doman down the stairs at an address in Hillside View in May 2015. Joanna was airlifted to Southmead hospital in Bristol after being found at the property, but sadly died from her injuries. http://bathecho.uk/1TrHH0F
4. Coach heading to Christmas Market catches fire on M4 near Bath
A coach carrying visitors from Wales to the Bath Christmas Market earlier this month ended up closing the M4 near Bath after it caught fire. Avon Fire & Rescue sent five crews to the scene, and upon arrival they found the coach completely engulfed in flames. Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident. http://bathecho.uk/1TrY5xY
5. Transparent bubble hotel room opens in SouthGate thanks to LateRooms
Back in March, daring guests had the opportunity to stay overnight in the LateRooms Bubble, a completely transparent Bubble Room situated in the SouthGate shopping centre in Bath. The ‘luxury’ bedroom had a freestanding bath, comfy bed, luxurious linen and fur throws. http://bathecho.uk/1IFVLmS
6. London Road layout restored following experimental bus lane trial
Local residents were pleased to read this story from back in August, after we revealed that a controversial bus lane trial on the London Road would be ended and the original layout restored. The bus lane, created by changing the layout near Lambridge, was trialled to see if congestion caused by the railway electrification works could be reduced. http://bathecho.uk/1YU2uvn
7. Locals prepare for the opening of the new Lidl store in Bath
People across Bath were looking forward to the arrival of the new Lidl store on the Lower Bristol Road, which opened in April. The opening of the store was due to take place in February, but was delayed due to work at the site by BT and Western Power Distribution. After almost six years of waiting for the development, the new store helped to create 40 jobs for the city. http://bathecho.uk/1RSR6ki
8. A36 near Bath reopens following months of disruption from roadworks
The closed stretch of the A36 between Bathampton and Limpley Stoke was reopened by Highways England in June following extensive roadworks over a number of months. The road had been closed since the start of March for major work to stabilise parts of the route which were at risk of sliding down the hill. The roadworks cost around £2.3 million. http://bathecho.uk/1PyDyca
9. Little Southgate set to be transformed into new food quarter
Plans were announced earlier this month to create a new food quarter at the SouthGate centre to further enhance Bath’s growing reputation as the foodie capital of the South West. Under the plans, Little SouthGate would be redeveloped to make way for three to four new upmarket restaurants and bars. http://bathecho.uk/1XRJpin
10. Bath’s first underground Cardok gets the green light
Plans for Bath’s first underground home parking system were approved in November, in a move the manufacturer Cardok UK hopes will drive a home parking revolution in the city. The Cardok will accommodate one car beneath the driveway of a property in Bath, with space to park another vehicle on top. http://bathecho.uk/1WqJ05B
Those are our top ten stories for 2015 – the Bath Echo team hope you have had a great year and we’re looking forward to keeping you up-to-date with the latest news and what’s on during 2016!
