Temporary measures to widen pavements, remove traffic from roads and improve cycling are being introduced in parts of the city to help people to socially distance during the coronavirus crisis.
Queuing with social distancing | Image © Lorna Roberts / Shutterstock.com
It’s hoped the measures will also encourage a long-term shift in the way people travel around Bath and North East Somerset.
Plans to temporarily widen pavements in Camden Road, St Saviours Road, Manvers Street/ Pierrepont Street, Monmouth Place, Monmouth Street, Moorland Road, North Parade, Queen Square, Somerset Street, Terrace Walk, Walcot Street, Westgate Buildings and Weston High Street, are underway.
The social distancing measures are expected to be in place by mid-June to support any reopening of shops and businesses.
Locations have been selected where there is a likelihood that people will need to step into the road as a result of the two-metre social distancing rule or because they are roads with more traffic on them and therefore less safe for pedestrians.
In addition, to support businesses re-opening in the city centre access restrictions and removal of on-street parking is being considered.
This is to avoid pinch points so that people can safely socially distance and wait outside shops without a conflict with traffic. This includes Milsom Street, Cheap Street, Westgate Street, Upper Borough Walls, York Street, Green Street and Kingsmead Square.
The council is working with Bath BID to look at signage to encourage people to keep a safe distance from each other and to queue safely within the city centre pedestrian area.
Further measures also include removing the need to push buttons at 22 signalised junctions and the introduction of road safety posters to increase drivers’ awareness that pedestrians may step out into the road as they maintain social distancing.
The changes will be in place for the duration of government advice, which all councils have been directed to follow in order to support the recovery from COVID-19.
They use Emergency Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) to allow cities and towns to re-open, recover and operate within social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The measures also pave the way for permanent liveable-neighbourhoods with an emphasis on more walking and cycling.
As it progresses these schemes, Bath & North East Somerset Council says it will give full consideration of their obligations under the Equality Act.
In addition to implementing the urgent temporary social distancing measures, the council is asking for views on a raft of longer-term improvements, some of which could be introduced on an experimental basis, including allocating additional road space to improve cycling and walking for daily commuting and better signage across the area.
The council is about to launch a new Liveable Neighbourhoods website for residents to share views on where we can create more space for walking and cycling.
The site https://bathnesliveablestreets.commonplace.is/ should be going live this week and people can sign up for it now.
Councillor Joanna Wright, cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “The Government is urging all of us who are contemplating returning to work to consider more active ways to travel like cycling and walking.
“It is crucial that we take pressure off roads and public transport networks and rethink how we use private vehicles and where we park.
“We are planning pavement widening and cycle improvements to help with social distancing as well as improved signage, particularly in the city centre of Bath.
“But we also want to seek views and are launching a Liveable Neighbourhoods website which asks people to get involved as part of our longer-term aspirations.
“We are also working with our partners in the West of England to agree a list of transport schemes that can be introduced in the short term utilising the pending government funding.
“We have a responsibility to radically rethink the way we travel around Bath and North East Somerset. As part of our recovery we have a once-in-a-generation chance to develop long-term sustainable changes to the way we travel.
“These include a programme of liveable-neighbourhoods, new ways of supporting and improving cycling for daily commuting and reallocating road space.”
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, added: “This is an ambitious proposal from the council to greatly improve the city centre for those getting around, shopping and enjoying other leisure activities.
“We need to be able to allow people space to socially distance as they walk around and these measures enable that.
“We are really interested to hear people’s views particularly those of disabled people so we can make sure their needs are taken into account.”
