People are being asked about a pedestrian-friendly plan to introduce restricted hours for vehicles to drive in Bath’s popular Kingsmead Square.
Officers from Bath & North East Somerset Council will be in the square on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 from 9.30am-12.30pm as part of the Forest of Imagination event.
They will be asking people what they think about the idea prior to a formal consultation taking place, the council is also accepting comments via email and letter – see details for how to respond at www.bathnes.gov.uk/kingsmeadsq
The council is considering limiting vehicle access, except for attending emergency services, while still allowing access to the flats, shops and cafés for essential loading and refuse collection each morning.
It could mean a timed restriction could be introduced every day, between the hours of 11am and midnight in order to meet the needs of both residents, businesses and pedestrians.
The proposal aims to increase opportunities for a growing café culture to and create an inviting space for people by removing all vehicles during the core hours of the day and evening.
Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for Development and Neighbourhoods, said: “Kingsmead Square is one of the council’s priority areas for improvement and we are asking people for their views about this plan. A restriction on traffic would enhance the quality of the environment for everyone and further support the café culture which has grown there.”
If the scheme were to go ahead it would require an experimental traffic regulation order lasting for six to 12 months to allow the proposal to be tested and adjusted before a final decision is made on whether to make it permanent.
