(An image taken from last night’s meeting of the B&NES Cabinet, which is available to view on YouTube)
I wasn’t among those outside the Guildhall last night, where several hundred people gathered to protest plans for a cycle lane in Royal Victoria Park.
I did play back the recording of the Cabinet meeting being held inside and can vouch for the fact that raised voices from outside could be heard in the council chamber.
This all started with an online petition against the proposed scheme. With more than five thousand names, it is due to be handed in at a full B&NES Council meeting next Thursday.
Following last night’s protest, the Council issued the following statement:
‘Bath & North East Somerset Council welcomes public engagement and peaceful protest.
However, at last night’s cabinet meeting, a number of people tried to break into the Guildhall, putting staff at physical risk.
Our security team is to be commended for the way they handled the situation, and we will review our procedures to ensure the continued safety of staff and members.”
Meanwhile, Alderman David Dixon, the originator of the online petition, responded:
” A small group of us entered the Guildhall through its open doors, intending to sit in the public gallery of a public meeting and hold placards for the Council leadership to read.
Security staff were understandably cautious and stopped us before we reached the gallery. They handled the situation well, and we left calmly through the rear exit.
There was no scuffle. The Guildhall doors were then closed, which upset some of the people waiting outside, so we moved to the car park to make sure the Council Leader could still hear us.
We had a great turnout, and it was clear how passionately people feel about what is happening to our city. We hope the Council leadership heard us, even if they are not yet listening.”
