Liveable neighbourhood scheme to go ahead

The liveable neighbourhood scheme will initially be in place for six months

A liveable neighbourhood scheme which was blocked by a legal challenge will go ahead in November.

Bath and North East Somerset Council planned to close Winifred's Lane at the top of Cavendish Road to through traffic in August.

But neighbours sought a high court injunction against the plans, saying it would push more traffic onto unsafe junctions, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council insisted it would bring back the plans “as soon as possible” and has now set a date of Wednesday November 6 to install the works to close the road.

The closure of Winifred’s Lane to through traffic is part of a wider “Lower Lansdown area” liveable neighbourhood.

So far, more than 3,300 people have signed a petition against the plans.

One resident of a neighbouring residents association 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.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council did not contest the legal challenge, saying there had been "minor technical issues" with the order to bring in the scheme and they had missed their slot with the contractors.

Cabinet member for highways Manda Rigby said:  “Motorists often use the trial streets to avoid the main roads linking the south of Bath to the A46, A420 and M4, so the aim is to address speeding and excessive through traffic in these central, residential areas.

“We also want to create a safe and pleasant active travel route through the area.

"I want to reassure residents and businesses that vehicle access to properties will be maintained during the trials, although some drivers may have to use a different route."