Signs of the times

Tomorrow – February lst – sees the start of three days of works to complete road markings and signage on streets that form part of the city centre security zone.

Access to Cheap St, Westgate St, Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls will be maintained for vehicles that are permitted entry, however, the council is advising the works may cause some traffic disruption.

Some parking bays in the streets surrounding the secure zone will be suspended while additional disabled, resident and loading spaces are variously installed in Westgate Buildings, Kingston Rd, Orange Grove and Broad St.

Councillor Manda Rigby, B&NES cabinet member for Transport, said: “We want to thank everyone for their cooperation since the restrictions came into place on January 1. The transition to date has been very smooth and everyone is arriving with the right documents for their security check. We want to remind residents and businesses that small deliveries should be made before 10am and after 6pm where possible.

“These short works to complete the road markings and signage will help us progress these preventative anti-terrorism measures to keep our most crowded streets free of vehicles in order to keep the public safe. Thank you for your patience while the works are carried out.”    

Once the road markings are in place, any vehicles contravening the advertised restrictions may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice. Drivers are no longer permitted to park their vehicles between 10am and 6pm every day.

Blue Badge holders, and other permitted drivers including carers or taxis carrying Blue Badge holders as a passenger, have access arrangements for Cheap Street, Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls which closed on January 1 as part of the proportionate anti-terrorism security measures to protect the public. Blue Badge holders are also permitted to park in these streets for up to three hours.

Access for Blue Badge holders driving into the security zone is via Cheap Street. More details can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathcitycentreaccess   

The city centre security zone is as follows:

  • Lower Borough Walls, Stall Street, Abbeygate Street, Abbey Green, Swallow Street (south), Bath Street, Beau Street, and Hot Bath Street;
  • Cheap Street, Westgate Street (including Parsonage Lane), Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls.

Information for residents and businesses about how to access the city centre can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathcitycentreaccess