You still have a few days in which to have your say on proposals for extending vehicle access restrictions Kingsmead Square in Bath. A public consultation is open until July 27th.
Bath & North East Somerset Council currently has a trial in place which restricts access to vehicles between 11am and midnight, to make it a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists, before considering whether the restrictions should be made permanent.
Temporary access restrictions between 10am and 10pm were first introduced in June 2020 for social distancing, allowing people to safely shop and socialise in a traffic-free environment.
The consultation on the Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) needed to replace the temporary traffic regulation orders (TTROs) brought in for social distancing was launched on January 27 this year and runs until July 27 at 5pm.
People are invited to respond the consultation here: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/kingsmeadsquareconsultation
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Kingsmead Square is one of the council’s priority areas for improvement in Bath and it’s been great to see residents and businesses making the most of the traffic-free space over the past two years. We believe extending the restrictions until midnight will further improve people’s enjoyment of the area and support local traders.
“Thank you to people who have already taken part and given valuable feedback through the consultation, but it’s really important that everyone who wishes to make their voice heard has the chance to do so. Please have your say by July 27.”
Under the proposals, only the following modes of transport will be permitted around Kingsmead Square between 11am and 12am:
- Walking
- Wheeling
- Cycling
- Emergency Vehicles (including private ambulances and RSPCA vehicles on call)
Blue Badge holders can use disabled bays on Westgate Buildings. There are also four disabled bays in Kingsmead Square Car Park.
A feedback report on the consultation will be published later in the summer. A decision will then be made on whether the proposals should be assessed for a longer period (up to a further 12 months), modified and made permanent, or not to proceed with the scheme.
Find out more about the council’s High Street Renewal programme.
