You cannot actually visit the Temple Precinct at the moment – if you are taking a tour of the Roman Baths complex. Work is underway to install a step-free walkway and lift to make this important part of the tour much more accessible.
It’s obviously hoped the work can be completed before the great Summer rush begins.
I am not sure it will be ready for Easter but the scaffolding which envelopes the exterior – covering the Pump Room and entrance to the Roman Baths – should be gone.
Spare a thought for the workmen – hidden from our view – who are carrying out major repairs to the roof. There will also be cleaning work carried out on the Bath stone façade.
While this is all happening the life-sized gilded bronze head of the goddess Minerva – one of the prime exhibits in the museum – has been moved to a temporary area so it can still be viewed.
Outside l noticed something missing from the east end of Bath Abbey. There was a bronze plaque announcing that the first King of all England – Edgar – had been crowned in the city on Whit Sunday AD 973. It has disappeared?
The river has risen sufficiently to cut off the footpath and cycleway along the bank in Green Park Road and has kept onto a corner of Parade Gardens beneath the colonnade.
Talking of cycleways. While l am keen to promote the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal as a route into the city l do acknowledge that this should not be at the expense of provision along the London Road.
What is currently there – at the top end junction with Cleveland Place – is poor and often blocked. I cannot see why a lot of the pavement – from Morrisons onwards – could not be used.
