Call them consultations or public engagements – it’s all the same. We have had a fair few this year and now – here’s another one.
B&NES has come up with proposals for new pathways and landscaping to improve Queen Square. There would be better space for public events and easier access to Charlotte Street car park.
Now, the authority is beginning a public engagement to find out how residents and businesses would like to see the layout of the historic public space enhanced for everyone to enjoy.
A press release states:
“The proposals build on improvements in air quality brought about by the introduction of Bath’s Clean Air Zone and footway improvements carried out in April this year. The shortlist of ideas following early discussions with stakeholders includes:
- New pathways with better edges
- New planting to increase biodiversity
- Group seating areas
- Improved boules courts
- New bins and benches
- Space for food and drink vans alongside electric and water points for events
- Improved wayfinding to and from Charlotte Street car park
- Better directions to and from city landmarks
There will be two drop-in sessions at Queen Square on Friday 29 November and Wednesday 4 December between 12pm and 2pm at which people can find out more about the proposals and have their say.
An online form to submit feedback on the proposals is available on the council website until 6 December.
The works will be funded from the implementation of the Clean Air Zone.
Councillor Tim Ball said: “Queen Square is an historic spot in the heart of Bath and an integral part of our city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. It offers a calm and beautiful space amongst the hustle and bustle and a place for community events.
With these proposed improvements we hope to create even more pleasant surroundings where people can meet and relax and make it easier for visitors to discover the square.
We want to know how you think Queen Square could be made more useful for the needs of people today while still respecting its historical significance, so please drop in to one of our sessions and or give us your views online.”
Find out more about Queen Square
My take on this is the growing realisation that every historic public space in this city has to earn its keep. I am a little concerned that the commercial aspects here will be at the expense of the historic environment.
This square of Georgian houses – which are all Grade 1 listed – was laid out by John Wood the Elder with a formal garden in its centre.
Now it’s more of a square roundabout and for me – if you want to increase usage of the garden in its middle – do something about the roads surrounding it!
It should be of concern that the Council’s regeneration team appears to not be talking to the council’s Active Travel Team who also have plans for Queen Square.
They should work together. Although biased I would strongly suggest they work together to improve on Walk Ride Bath’s proposal to remove through traffic from three sides of Queen Square making it much safer and accessible for pedestrians and cyclists, and particularly for people with disabilities.
The details of the WRB Queen Square proposal can be found in the appendix of the WRB response to the Bath Walking Wheeling Cycling Links consultation: https://walkridebath.org.uk/2024/11/26/bath-walking-wheeling-cycling-links-response/
Queen Square is just perfect as it is…leave it alone!!!!!!!!
Get rid of the ugly traffic lights that make the traffic worse!
Lose the ugly road signs and ‘island’ that ruins the view up Gay St to the Circus and clogs the roads up further.
This council is good at wasting public money with their ugly schemes..ie giant plastic planters outside the YMCA at huuuge expense and not appreciated by Bath council tax payers (ask them)!!!!
Stop messing with our beautiful heritage city!!!
Queen Square is considered the most expensive and completely unnecessary roundabout in the UK….but sure leave it alone.
I have no doubt Adam…and not a pleasant place to sit unless you like to inhale exhaust fumes!
As a cyclist…I’d be more than happy if the traffic were to be diverted! 😊
Those traffic lights were the worst idea ever!
Totally agree with Richard.
And btw… how many civil servants & councillors – paid for by Bath taxpayers – did it take; & how much do they cost us – to sit down, hold meeting(s); type up their reports, publish them, and organise public ‘drop-ins’, for this totally irrelevant scheme?
Leave well alone, please, and focus instead on things which truly matter in Bath, such as street cleaning/potholes/safety/ crime etc.
What a complete waste of time & our money.
I totally agree with Richard’s comment that you need to do something about the roads around Queen Square. The Council approved The Public Realm and Movement Strategy for Bath in 2010 and subsequently a Bath Pattern Book. In the former the long term aim was a phased downgrading and closure of two to three side of the Square and relocation of on street parking. Currently there is consultation on Walking, Cycling and Wheeling links, which includes a two way cycle lane on the west side. Far better is to remove the traffic as has been done in Queen Square Bristol. This is more a roundabout than an historic square in the World Heritage Site! Enough years have passed since the approved Strategy, its time to put this into action!