Two roads in the centre of Bath are being temporarily closed to allow work to get underway to install controversial anti-terrorism security measures.
York Street in Bath | Photo © John Wimperis
A temporary traffic regulation order notice (TTRO) was published last month for the temporary closure of York Street and Terrace Walk for the work to begin.
While the duration on the notices states eight months, it is not expected that the roads will be closed for the whole of the order period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout and the council has said it will keep residents and businesses who are affected by the temporary closure “regularly updated”.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is introducing its “proportionate, preventative” measures to protect public safety, based on police advice, following consultations, talks with businesses, residents and accessibility groups.
The security proposals include vehicle access restrictions on streets defined as crowded places in and around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths while maintaining managed access to the city centre for residents, businesses and blue badge holders.
They were initially based on a counter-terrorism security survey on Bath city centre in September 2016, which identified the areas as being vulnerable to a potential hostile vehicle attack.
In February 2020, the Avon & Somerset Police Chief Constable asked Bath & North East Somerset Council to consider an ATTRO covering the wider city centre of Bath which would be used in the event of a heightened threat, specific intelligence, as a result of an incident or if there are events taking place that create crowded places.
Following consultation with Counter Terrorism security advisors and the council, which centred around the crowded places indicated within the National Counter Terrorism Security Office report, it was considered proportionate to introduce permanent restrictions covering a smaller area in the city centre resulting in the current measures, which the Chief Constable supported.
The local authority has continued to work alongside the Counter Terrorism advisors to protect the specific areas, through both physical measures and training for front-line staff, both from the public and private sector.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “It is encouraging to see work starting on the scheme and the first phase of our permanent anti-terrorism measures going in. We are working closely with residents and businesses.
“We held back on the work because we didn’t want it to impact on the Christmas Market – which had the temporary security barriers in place – and we hope that by starting this work in the quieter winter months it won’t have such an adverse impact on businesses. We are grateful to them for their patience.”
