Controversial plans to introduce three more Liveable Neighbourhoods in Bath have been given the go-ahead, with trials set to be introduced in coming months.
Three through-traffic restriction trials in the Lower Lansdown and Circus area, as well as trials in Sydney Road and Lyme Road in Newbridge have all been approved to be installed under Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs).
The decisions to proceed with the proposals were taken by Councillor Manda Rigby, the cabinet Member for Transport and Councillor David Wood, deputy council leader and cabinet Member for Council Priorities & Delivery.
The decisions are subject to a five-day ‘call-in’ period. If the decision is not called in within that period, the council will start the process of installing the trials under Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs).
Three linked trials in the Lower Lansdown and Circus area are being introduced with the aim of addressing “excessive though traffic” on residential roads commonly used as shortcuts to and from the A46/M4. These include:
- A through-traffic restriction on Catharine Place between its junction with Margaret’s Buildings and Rivers Street Mews.
- A through-traffic restriction on Winifred’s Lane (south of its junction with Somerset Lane), supplemented by a no-right-turn onto Sion Hill from the northern end of Cavendish Road.
- A no-entry for motorised vehicles into Gay Street from the George Street junction; and a left-turn only into George Street from this section of Gay Street to prevent southbound vehicles from travelling straight on to Queen Square. Gay street would remain two-way with access from the Circus or via the left-only turn into George Street.
In Sydney Road, a through-traffic restriction at its junction with New Sydney Place would be trialled to prevent motorists from using the street to avoid the busy A36/Bathwick Street junction.
Additionally, the scheme would feature the removal of the dedicated left-turn lane into Sydney Road from Warminster Road (southbound) to stop traffic from using the road.
A petition has been launched on 38Degrees in opposition to the trial on Sydney Road, and has already gained more than 3,500 signatures.
Finally, a formal one-way loop would be created from Newbridge Road along Charmouth Road, Lyme Road and Lyme Gardens (Newbridge), while access for cyclists would be maintained in both directions.
The aim is to relieve congestion at school times while encouraging more active travel to and from Newbridge School.
The trial interventions are part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s ongoing Liveable Neighbourhood Programme.
The local authority says the aim is to address excessive traffic in residential areas, and to create safer, healthier routes for those that choose to walk or cycle. Vehicle access to homes and businesses would be maintained under the schemes.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders are installed for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 18 months while residents’ views are sought.
The council has said it would also monitor any impacts on traffic, air quality and active travel. No permanent decisions are made until all the consultation feedback and the monitoring data has been considered.
Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Since we announced the proposals in December, lots of residents have contacted us – with a very wide range of views.
“We’ve given very careful consideration to all the views put forward and I have decided to proceed with the ETROs in trials at Charmouth Road, Lyme Road and Lyme Gardens and the three ETROs in the, Lower Lansdown and Circus area.
“Some of those not in favour of the plans have expressed concerns about traffic displacement, and this will be very closely monitored to see if in reality these concerns are justified and then either further mitigations will be put in place or the trial would not be made permanent.
“We are committed to delivering our Liveable Neighbourhood programme because we want to create more equitable streets where everyone is safe, regardless of whether they drive, walk or cycle. But we want to base our final decisions on evidence, and ETRO trials let us do this.
“We will not reach a final decision on whether to make them permanent until consultation feedback and all supporting evidence – such as traffic monitoring data – is considered.”
Councillor David Wood, deputy council leader and cabinet Member for Council Priorities & Delivery, said: “I have considered carefully the comments we received on the Sydney Road proposal and have decided to proceed with this trial scheme which will be closely monitored.”
Councillor Joel Hirst, cabinet project lead for Liveable Neighbourhoods and Residential Parking Zones, adds: “We will continue to run a period of informal engagement until the trials are installed to ensure we adequately address concerns and help people plan for the trialled changes.
“We will inform those living in and around the trials of the decision by letter and organise events where residents can speak with advisors before the trial is installed. We will also contact again key stakeholders, such as schools, businesses, and other organisations.
“We expect the trials to be installed later in the spring. Once we install the trials, a public consultation survey will be available online and in other formats.
“Within the next month, dedicated web pages will be prepared for the trials at www.bathnes.gov.uk/liveableneighbourhoods, and regularly updated.”
The council has secured £736,000 of funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) to implement the trials.
