Long-term followers of this blog will know how critical I have been about the redevelopment of the Sawclose.
I considered it was a missed opportunity to create a new city square of note. Not even a central tree included to give it a focal point.
However, what IS there is falling apart, and many of the original features are now ‘buried’ beneath what appears to be a creeping extension of outdoor catering facilities.
Frankly, it’s a mess and a blot on our streetscape. It is such a shame that the grand facade of our historic Theatre Royal looks out on such a ramshackle view.
Can we have a ‘cabinet member for streetscape’ B&NES, and then maybe someone would keep more of an eye on things?
There is such a general ‘clean-up’ due, not just with our tourists in mind, but for citizens too.
We want to be proud of our city and not embarrassed by it..
The state of Bath street scape – where to start? I agree absolutely with your comments. The city have “given away” the opportunity for river walkways on both sides of the river, winding through the city. Now we have ridiculous expenditure on wider pavements by the Guildhall, removing vital disabled parking spots, instead of filling in the endless potholes. What is it with Bath councillors and wider poorly planned pavements? It means the old planned street drainage is lost too. Vast ugly bollards, dreadful looking bicycle storage “cans”. Surely someone can come up with a secure bike storage system that looks suitable for Bath.
I recall from my youth that the place (ie, Sawclose) always was a dump. The new buildings do nothing for it. The obsession for outdoor dining just makes it even worse. It is no pleasure whatsoever to walk through Sawclose. In fact on my (not infrequent) trips to my home town, I go out of my way to avoid it. Much of Bath’s modern architecture is abysmal and the standard of street maintenance appalling.
Couldn’t agree more – something practical needs to be arranged……