One of Bath’s most iconic tourist locations is looking a bit lack-lustre at present.
The stone balustrade separating Grand Parade from the Pulteney Bridge and Weir on the River Avon below is having to be boarded up in places because of erosion.
There’s a real fear a child could push through a stone column and fall into the water below.
Repairs will have to be done but there is no evidence of this being a rushed job!
Unlike the thousands being spent on a new roof and internal improvements to the Roman Baths and Pump Room complexes.
That of course is a major source of income for the city where footfall can be accounted for in pounds and pence. Entrance fees seem to increase every year.
Grand Parade must technically belong to the Council as it is above the colonnaded area beside the river that they want to develop with high-end restaurants.
Maybe B&NES is hoping the new businesses will help pay for the work above their heads but – in the meantime – isn’t it time the city made tourists help pay for the upkeep of the very things they come to see.
Is it time for a tourist tax? An extra pound a night for staying in our hotels and guest houses. Other countries do it and we do have a World Heritage status to uphold.
Let’s get a real debate going on this. Bath’s long-term tourist/heritage future is at stake.
