The controversial through-traffic restriction on Sydney Road at the junction with New Sydney Place is now in place after work began at the start of April.
Looking down Sydney Place, with the new LTN restriction in place
Six bollards stop drivers from using the residential streets as a cut-through to avoid the A36/Bathwick Street junction, but there is access to homes and businesses from either side and Bath & North East Somerset Council says parking arrangements have not changed.
Motorists now have to follow the A36 around Beckford Road and along Sydney Place, passing the top of Great Pulteney Street.
The trial is for a minimum of six months and has been introduced under the council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) programme.
The local authority says it wants to improve the environment for residents and create a safe and pleasant route for walking and cycling through the area.
Two central bollards can be removed for access by the emergency services.
The dedicated filter lane into Sydney Road from Warminster Road (the A36 towards Bath) has been removed and improvements made to junctions.
Comments on Facebook following the implementation of the scheme include: “This won’t ease the traffic. It will only make it worse. What a waste of money which could of (sic) been spent on public transport.”
Another said: “Just walked up there to have a look where the bollards are. Three cars and a coach had to turn round just whilst we were there. Has increased the traffic flow on Beckford Road and presumably the pollution as well.”
Another said: “These liberal councillors want everyone scooting and cycling…They ignored 4,000 people on a petition and ploughed ahead like they have with all the other road- wrecking schemes.”
A petition on the 38 Degrees website warned that the proposals, while benefitting the relatively small number of residents on Sydney Place, would have a disproportionately negative impact on the estimated 2,000 residents living in Bathampton, Holburne Park and the thousands who use Warminster Road to access Bath.
The petition warned it “cuts off a vital ‘relief valve’ and will increase the frequency of congestion on the westbound A36”.
The council has said it will monitor traffic and air quality impacts during the trial.
A similar scheme at Southlands in Weston village was recently made permanent, despite a majority of residents objecting to the scheme in council surveys.
