Cheap Street in the city centre will be closed from 6am to midnight each day during the Bath Christmas Market following a request by Avon & Somerset Police.
Cheap Street in Bath | Photo © Ben Molyneux / Shutterstock.com
The extended closures of Cheap Street, Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls are being put in place due to concerns over increased footfall and to mitigate risks created by unauthorised vehicles within the market footprint.
Last Saturday, 30th November, during one of the busiest days in the Christmas Market’s history, police had to escort a large goods vehicle that legally entered the confines of the temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) but was unable to exit, causing significant public disruption and concerns for public safety.
Residents and businesses are being contacted by Bath & North East Somerset Council about the closure, which is being introduced under the ATTRO already in place for the duration of the market.
The road, that creates the loop from Cheap Street to Upper Borough Walls will close from 6am to midnight each day from Thursday 5th December.
The police and the council will review the extended closure and reconsider the decision on Monday 9th December.
Avon and Somerset Police Chief Inspector Scott Hill, said: “We have requested the extended closure having reviewed the large volume of footfall in the city.
“While the level of security threat has not changed, the risks to public safety, demonstrated by the lorry getting stuck last weekend, has been raised and action is needed to mitigate that risk and protect public safety.”
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for highways, said; “Public safety has to come first. The traffic regulation order, which is in place for the market does allow us to extend the timings of the closure following a request from the police.
“We are now contacting all the residents and businesses which will be affected over the next days before the review to make them aware of the new hours for restrictions at the request of the police, and what that means for them.”
Managed access will be given to emergency services, and residents within the zone who are also Blue Badge holders.
Waste vehicles will be permitted access under the normal arrangements.
