January 2, 2025
By Harry Mottram: The New Year will see Bath continue to have changes to its streets and paths as Bath and North East Somerset Council implement their policies of encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use public transport including using the e-scooters and e-bikes. Not everyone is happy with the plans but with more vehicles on the roads than ever before congestion is a problem.
A consultation by the Council on more active travel routes ends on January 2, 2025, and although many people are cynical of the process those new routes are likely to go ahead linking Weston to Bath City Centre, with new links to the Royal United Hospital, plus linking Oldfield School to Newbridge Hill and the City Centre to Kennet & Avon Canal.
The Council said: “The proposed scheme has four routes each improving active travel options across Bath by creating routes using advisory lanes, dedicated spaces and quiet routes. It would also provide significant walking and wheeling improvements, such as upgraded crossings and more convenient and safer options.
“The BWWCL scheme is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) programme and is designed to connect key areas within Bath through a network of dedicated cycle lanes, advisory routes and improved pedestrian paths.”
For motorists wishing to get around the city and in particular for van drivers and delivery drivers anything which slows down multi drops or access is a headache.
Advocates will point to the rights of walkers, cyclists, parents with pushchairs, mobility scooter users and children going to school or to play who have for too long been secondary to those of motorists.
Another change that has been taking place is the introduction of Residents’ Parking Zones (RPZ) which have been welcomed by some Bathonians and opposed by those who say it has made their lives more difficult. If residents want to bring in an RPZ in their area they need to contact their ward councillor – so it is possible more will be implemented in the future.
One planning issue that has exercised the minds of many is the planning application to transform Bath Rugby’s stadium at the Recreation Ground.
This year should see a decision to approve a permanent East Stand, new hospitality facilities and an expanded capacity meaning the ground could hold up to 18,000. Nearby residents and some traders are not keen as already on matchday there is huge congestion, noise and inconvenience for those going about their everyday activities. There has also been criticism from those who see that the sport has eaten up far more of the Recreation Ground than any other sport. After all it is a public space and whether your sport is cricket, hockey or throwing frisbies, rugby union is the dominant sport on the Rec. For supporters of the Blue, Black and Whites the improvements can’t come soon enough – and point to the fact the plans include provision for community access to the facilities.
Also in sport the 2024-2025 season for Bath FC is a crucial one with the club in the bottom half of the league table going into the New Year. We can only hope the new manager can steer the club to safety as a city the size of Bath needs a successful football team.
Moving to politics there is the small matter of the next election of the Metro Mayor or as it is officially called the Mayor of the West of England who leads the West of England Combined Authority. Labour’s Dan Norris is stepping down since he has a second job after being elected in July 2024 as the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham and is barred from standing.
The election is on Thursday, 1st May, 2025, and will be contested by Labour, the Conservatives, The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party with other candidates likely to join the contest. The winner will be decided by the first past the post system – a change from previous elections. There are no local elections in B&NES although Wiltshire’s unitary council elections will be held on the same day.
Turning to less contentious events there is a Festival of Wellbeing – Rebalance Bath – from 20 January to 16 February; while the Bath Festival is from 16th May to 25th May and the Jane Austen Festival is 12-21 September.
And finally if your taste in music is for pop, then Robbie Williams the former Take That singer will be in concert outside in The Royal Crescent on Friday, June 13th, 2025.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
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Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
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