B&NES Council has announced that the Avon Street multi-storey car park will be reopened by 5pm today (5th December) – less than a day after it was attacked by vandals.
A substantial amount of internal lighting had been vandalised and live electrical wires were exposed, leaving the multi-storey section of the car park unsafe for public use and meaning it had to be closed.
Council officers worked non-stop with electrical engineers to overcome the problems caused by the vandalism and re-open the car park safely as soon as possible.
Councillor David Dixon, (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Deputy Leader of Council, said: “Our Parking Team has assessed the damage with our contractors and work has now been completed on the lighting system in Avon Street to make it safe for the public.
“This will allow us to reopen most areas of the car park by 5pm today.
“Around 10% of the spaces (40) that cannot be made safe immediately have been barriered off until early next week, but this will allow the remaining floors to be used.
“Additional security will also be provided to reduce the likelihood of more damage in the short term and we have been liaising with the police who will also increase patrols the area overnight.
“We aim to keep any disruption to a minimum whilst works are being undertaken next week to get the car park fully open but it may be necessary to close small sections of other floors whilst lights are refitted.”
Anyone planning to visit Bath this weekend can choose from a range of parking options at www.bathnes.gov.uk/parking – such as the Council’s Park & Ride services – or consider using public transport to visit the Christmas Market.
Visitors to Bath Christmas Market are also reminded that First Great Western will be running 28 additional trains to and from Bath Spa this weekend.
