Bath’s council chief has admitted that plans to exclude disabled drivers from the city centre were “appalling”.
Cllr Kevin Guy | Photo © B&NES Lib Dems
Kevin Guy sought to distance himself from measures drawn up under his Liberal Democrat predecessor, Dine Romero, following talks between the police and the last Conservative administration to improve security.
He said Bath and North East Somerset Council had listened and revised plans that would have made it “very difficult” for blue badge holders to enter the city.
Speaking on BBC Radio Bristol on 2nd December, councillor Guy said: “After listening to residents, going through a consultation period, personally talking to disabled advocates, we have modified the rules considerably.
“Under the new rules, if you’re in a taxi and you’re a blue badge holder you will be able to get into the city centre at any point you want. You will have full access if you have a disabled badge in a taxi.”
Asked why that did not happen in the first place, councillor Guy said: “I wasn’t part of the original consultation or plans. It was the previous administration.
“I came in six months ago, we’ve looked at it. From a disabled point of view, from a business point of view, the original proposals really didn’t make much sense.
“They were purely about security and anti-terrorism. That’s the core thing.”
Presenter John Darvall said that was a “cop-out” and the council had not thought about how disabled people can get around Bath.
Councillor Guy replied: “I’d agree. The original proposals put forward by officers in consultation with the police didn’t take into account disabled residents.”
He accepted that was “appalling” and said he had instigated a full review, adding: “The original scheme was poor at best. The new scheme is a lot better.”
Councillor Romero said councillor Guy would have received briefing notes about the proposals as the then cabinet member for children and young people, adding: “I’m slightly surprised by his “know nothing” attitude.”
Councillor Guy said he received notes at the end of the development process and then, along with others, voiced strong objections, which why was the robust consultation had taken place.
Councillor Romero said it was “unfair” to say the original plans were appalling or that disabled people were only an afterthought – a charge levelled by Conservative group leader Vic Pritchard in July.
“They weren’t overlooked,” added the cabinet member for children and young people, communities and culture. “We’ve been listening to their very legitimate concerns about access.
“Unfortunately, it’s been politicised. There’s been a bandwagon that’s been leapt on by those who don’t want any restrictions on vehicles in the city centre.”
Opponents branded the original proposals “draconian” for including a 24/7 ban on food and parcel deliveries into the secure zone, with residents required to apply for permits for larger deliveries or scaffolding, and tradespeople forced to park outside and bring their kit in on trolleys.
Accessibility consultants Atkins warned that removing all parking would mean some disabled people “having to endure pain for longer and at higher levels” than some would be unable to endure.
Following changes backed by Avon and Somerset Police, core streets around the Abbey will be open to traffic between 6pm and 10am daily.
The new measures will not result in any loss of any parking for residents or blue badge holders. The latter will be allowed to park on Cheap Street, Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls on double yellow lines for up to three hours, after being granted access by CCTV control room staff.
It has emerged that the ring of steel is set to be followed by a much larger secure zone that would be controlled by the police.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
