The famous stone pillars at the top of Ralph Allen Drive in Combe Down are being seriously damaged after a new mini-roundabout was added on North Road.
The pillars were built in c. 1740 by John Wood the Elder and are Grade II listed.
Bob Goodman, the Conservative council candidate for Combe Down, has been contacted by a number of concerned residents after seeing coaches and lorries collide with the pillars whilst trying to navigate the new traffic obstacle.
Mr Goodman said: “The design of the roundabout and island is appalling. What was supposed to ease traffic congestion has caused even more chaos and has damaged the fine stone structure dislodging the huge caps to the columns.
“The Council have failed to act and this is clearly an accident waiting to happen.”
From left to right; Bob Goodman, Graham Barnard, landlord of the Hadley Arms pub, David Beaugeard and Mike Arkell, local resident.
The Bath Heritage Watchdog has been informed and is to investigate how the new roundabout can be improved to prevent further damage.
Ben Howlett, the prospective Conservative MP for Bath, commented: “Given the recent damage to the pillars, the Lib Dems ill-thought through schemes have now moved up the hill to Combe Down.
“I have been contacted by a number of residents and I am trying to resolve the matter with Council Officers. I hope a new council can get to grips with our road system.”
At the time of publishing, Bath and North East Somerset Council has not yet responded to a request for a comment on the mini-roundabout problem.
