Months of work are due to begin at Upper Borough Walls in Bath as part of ongoing security improvements in the city centre.
How the new bollards are expected to look | Image courtesy of B&NES Council
A closure of the street, for advance works ahead of the installation of permanent security bollards, will start on 26th September.
The initial work is expected to be completed in November ahead of the Christmas embargo, prior to commencing the main project in January, which is expected to take another five months to complete.
The road will be closed between Union Street and Northgate Street, however Blue Badge holders and other exempt vehicles will still be able to access and park in the secure zone between 10am and 6pm.
Pedestrian access will be maintained for people who are walking or wheeling, and the works in footways will be subject to pedestrian controls.
The construction works are not expected to prevent traders, or their customers, from accessing premises.
In advance of the works, trial hole investigations, to inform the scheme design, will start from Monday 11th September for two weeks.
The work will be carried out within the Union Street footway only and will not affect vehicular access along Upper Borough Walls.
Residents and businesses are being invited to a drop-in information session on Thursday 7th September from 2pm – 6.30pm in the Drawing Room in the Roman Baths, where they will be able to meet the project team and give their feedback on the works approach and proposed management of waste collection and deliveries.
Councillor Manda Rigby,?cabinet member for Highways,?said: “There is still access using the diversion route and we will do all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.
“The way the works are progressing are complex and this means some arrangements may change so we will endeavour to keep everyone informed as much as we can.
“I’d urge all those businesses, residents and Blue Badge holders who will be affected by the closure of Upper Borough Walls to come along and talk to the project team and discuss any concerns they may have at the drop-in session.”
During the works, diversions will be signposted and marshals will be available at Westgate Buildings.
Entry to Westgate Street, Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls will be via a temporary entrance at the junction of Westgate Street and Westgate Street Buildings, with the exit via Barton Street/Wood Street/Quiet Street and New Bond Street.
Drivers must exit New Bond Street to the left to avoid the bus gate between 10am and 6pm.
Deliveries and waste collections will still be possible before 10am and after 6pm initially via Westgate Buildings, with alternative parking and loading available nearby on the High Street and New Bond Street.
Once the new automated sliding bollard at Cheap Street is operational, entry will then resume at the entrance of Cheap Street at its junction with High Street, this date will be communicated closer to the time.
The council has carried out investigative works but until contractors get on site the construction timeline is estimated and completion dates can’t be guaranteed.
