New strategy planned to ensure public spaces benefit everyone

Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking to introduce a new strategy to manage outdoor dining, trading and entertainment on local streets and public spaces.

The Guildhall in Bath

The B&NES Streets Strategy aims to ensure a “co-ordinated approach” to managing the range of activities that take place across the area, whilst maintaining accessibility for all and supporting the local economy.

A report, which is going before the local authority’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel on 12th September, details how the strategy would act as an overarching document informing council policy on what non-removable items can be placed on the highway – including planters, large umbrellas and flower displays – as well as permissions for street trading, street entertainment, events and filming.

The aim of the B&NES Streets Strategy is to support outdoor trading and events, for example restaurants which offer outdoor hospitality or farmers’ markets, while ensuring that streets remain safe and accessible for highway users.

It would also allow the council to fulfil its statutory duties of highways inspections and street cleansing without impediment.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “A Streets Strategy will ensure a coordinated approach is taken to the management of our retail areas, events and activities which take place to support the economic vibrancy and animation of our public spaces.

“The strategy will be underpinned by the Accessibility Study for Bath city centre, however those principles will apply across the whole authority area and be at the forefront of our decision making.

“With 47 street traders across the district and up to 100 events per year – including up to 80 film productions and large-scale events like the Bath Half Marathon – we need to ensure consistency when issuing licences and permits.

“It is also our statutory duty to ensure that the highway can be inspected, cleaned and maintained for residents without any obstruction from items on the pavement.”