Plans to close Bath road spark safety fears

The proposal would take traffic away from Somerset Place and Lansdown Crescent

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling on the latest proposed traffic measures in Bath to be scrapped, saying they risk the safety of children.

Collapsible bollards could soon be installed on Winifred's Lane on a trial basis to prevent drivers using it as part of the Circus and Lower Lansdown liveable neighbourhood.

The closure of Winifred’s Lane to through traffic would also be supported by a no right turn sign to stop people turning from Cavendish Road onto Sion Hill.

Local residents say the move would take traffic away from nearby "posh" crescents such as Somerset Place and Lansdown Crescent and push it past children's schools.

The plans have been welcomed by the Circus Area Residents Association (CARA), which said it “would be to the benefit of residents and local businesses alike.”

Collapsible bollards could be installed on Winifred's Lane to prevent drivers using it

But a representative from a neighbouring residents association has slammed the plans to close Winifred’s Lane, which only has two houses on it.

He said, “The council seems willing to sacrifice the health and safety of school children and thousands of Bath residents to extend the privilege of a few people on Lansdown Crescent.”

Residents say the measures would funnel cars along Sion Hill Place and along Julian Road, past children’s schools.

The drive from Kingswood School comes out on Sion Hill Place, while St Andrew’s Primary School is located on Julian Road.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the council to drop its plans to close Winifred’s Lane — with more than 600 people signing it in the first 48 hours.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s liveable neighbourhood programme sees traffic restrictions brought in around residential areas to prevent rat running.

Manda Rigby, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said, “During trials the council would monitor the impact of the intervention on traffic and any uptake in active travel. The trials would be removed or made permanent within 18 months of starting."