Temporary gates to help pedestrians maintain a safe social distance by closing roads to vehicles are set to be installed in three streets in the centre of Bath this week.

Cheap Street in Bath | Photo © ColinPeachey / Shutterstock.com
York Street, Cheap Street and Upper Borough Walls were closed by Bath & North East Somerset Council on 15th June as part of the response to COVID-19 to support public safety and health.
Steel pedestrian barriers currently prevent vehicle access in the three roads but more robust lockable gates will now be installed on Friday 7th August, keeping to the current closure times between 10am and 6pm.
The gates will continue to be maintained and operated by traffic marshals who will unlock the gates to allow access for emergency services and emergency utility works along with a small number of other essential operations.
Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “The temporary access restrictions at York Street, Cheap Street and Upper Borough Walls have been running smoothly but as we stated a few weeks ago, we need to put in more robust barriers to help keep people and livelihoods safe and secure.
“We want to make sure social distancing can take place so that that the public remain safe whilst living in, working in or visiting the city.
“Thank you to all the people who have submitted their views about the temporary measures and we are still welcoming comments via the Sustrans ‘Space to Move’ website: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/space-to-move/.”