Shopkeepers on one of Bath’s most central shopping streets are preparing for disruption as the street faces closure for the rest of the year while “ring of steel” bollards are installed at the end of the road.
An artist’s impression of the entrance to Cheap Street | Image courtesy of B&NES Council
Cheap Street will close on 29th May as work starts to replace the metal gate with electronic bollards like those finally installed on York Street, and it could take until the end of the year for the street to be open again.
But the planned work by Bath and North East Somerset Council has divided people who run businesses on the street.
“I think they really need to review everything,” said Annette Dolan who runs local independent glassblowing studio Bath Aqua Glass.
The studio’s shop has an iconic spot next to Bath Abbey with a storefront on Cheap Street.
She said the business had bought an electric vehicle to comply with the Clean Air Zone, but were still not able to get to their shop with it, having to stop by the Guildhall on the other side of the barrier when they have deliveries.
She said: “We should be able to deliver outside our business with electric cars, and not put bollards in.”
But across the street at Miles Mann Jewellers, one member of staff said she did not have a strong opinion about replacing the temporary gates with bollards.
She said: “It’s pretty much the same thing — obviously a bit more disruptive.”
Council leader Kevin Guy promised the council would try to keep disruption to a minimum.
He said: “We are holding meetings with residents, business owners and Blue Badge holders who will be affected by the temporary closures, so they can speak to the project team.
“We will do all we can to minimise disruption and to make sure people are aware businesses are open as usual during this phase of the works.”
Another shopkeeper near where the bollards will be said: “It’s probably going to be better than it is now.”
But he added that he thought it was a “waste of money” and that the council should focus on fixing potholes.
The cost of installing the bollards around the city centre roads has increased dramatically as the scheme has gone on — with £3m allocated to the project by October going up to £7.4m by the time the budget was passed in February.
The bollards block off the street as part of the “city centre security zone” — which critics have dubbed the “ring of steel” — to protect the centre of the city from vehicle-based terror attacks.
Part of Hot Bath Street will also be closed while bollards are also installed there.
While the Cheap Street works are ongoing, blue badge holders and exempt vehicles will still be able to access Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls before 10am and after 6pm, but will need to enter via Westgate Buildings.
Traffic marshals will be available to help drivers.
The measures are being brought in around Bath after a report by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office identified areas around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths as crowded areas which should be protected from the potential for vehicle-borne terrorist attacks.
A larger threat-responsive security zone around a larger part of Bath had originally been requested by the police, but it was decided to introduce the permanent city-centre restrictions after consultation with the council.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
