Plans for Bath’s ring of steel are forging ahead despite a legal challenge.
York Street in Bath | Photo © Colin Peachey / Shutterstock.com
A public inquiry is set to be held in the spring after a member of the public upheld an objection to the proposals for York Street.
The rest of the scheme will go ahead, with Bath and North East Somerset Council promising that blue badge holders will be able to enter the secure zone from 1st January, although it is yet to reveal how they can gain access.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for transport, said: “I am very pleased that we are moving ahead with the scheme and want to thank everyone for their input to make it better for accessibility while retaining security which is the sole purpose of these proportionate measures.
“Despite much work to mitigate issues in York Street for an objector, we will have to take this small element of the scheme to a public inquiry.
“Calling a public inquiry is the final stage in the legal process when agreement cannot be reached on a traffic regulation order to close roads. In this case an objector is upholding their rights and we have to respect this.
“However, we don’t want this process to delay the scheme, which has proportionate, preventative measures to protect public safety, based on police advice.
“This is why we are pressing ahead with the other anti-terror traffic regulation orders to install hostile vehicle mitigation measures.
“These are protective measures to reduce risks associated with vehicle-borne threats posed by terrorists and criminals.”
Anti-terrorism TROs will be published this week for Lower Borough Walls, Stall Street, Abbeygate Street, Abbey Green, Swallow Street (south), Bath Street, Beau Street, and Hot Bath Street; and for Cheap Street, Westgate Street (including Parsonage Lane), Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls.
The areas have been identified as being vulnerable to a potential hostile vehicle attack.
Blue badge holders will be among a limited group able to access the streets between 10am and 6pm, but will have to be allowed in by council staff.
Under the proposals, the restrictions in York Street are set to continue until 10pm to support the increased footfall expected from Terrace Walk to the new Clore Learning and World Heritage Centres.
Despite the public inquiry, York Street will close temporarily early in 2022 as part of works on the World Heritage Centre that is set to finish in the spring.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
