City Centre security scheme next steps

Initial utilities work, as part of a Bath & North East Somerset Council scheme to install security measures in some Bath city centre streets, is set to start from Monday June 20.

The first stage of installing the permanent measures are the advance works required for ducting and the movement of utilities prior to the installation of the hostile vehicle mitigation sliding and static bollards.

Advance works will begin on 20 June in Burton Street for approximately one week followed by York Street and Terrace Walk then St James Parade, Lower Borough Walls and Hot Bath Street.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) for the advance ducting works will be placed on some of the streets within the secure zone from 23 June.  These orders are for the road restrictions to undertake the enabling works on the following streets:  Amery Lane, Wine Street, Lower Borough Walls and Hot Bath Street.

The TTROs will only be in place during the works and when signs and marshals are in position.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “This is the next step in the scheme to put in place the permanent proportionate and preventative measures to protect public safety, based on police advice.  Over the coming weeks and months you will see works in some city centre streets. We will do all we can to minimise disruption as we carry out this complex work to install hostile vehicle mitigation measures which will reduce the risks associated with vehicle-borne threats posed by terrorists and criminals.

“We are writing to residents, businesses and any other directly affected users this week informing them of our construction plans as well as details of meetings and or webinars. We will be explaining alternative access arrangements via temporary diversions and the use of traffic marshals in order to minimise any disruption.”

Further road closures will also be required for the diversion of the statutory undertakers’ apparatus and the installation of the bollard equipment, and these will be communicated closer to the time. Access for Blue Badge holders will be maintained in Cheap Street, Westgate Street, Upper Borough Walls, however, access and egress routes will change, as the works start – these will be signposted, and marshals will be available to help people.

Due to the unique nature of the city and highway construction, there are a number of challenges within the programme. These include working above existing vaults and cellars, working in close proximity to utility apparatus and maintaining access to the restricted streets for exempt vehicles.

We have carried out investigative works but until our contractors get on site our construction timeline is estimated and we cannot guarantee completion dates.
The council and Bath Business Improvement District (BID) will be hosting business and resident association engagement sessions.  Any residents or businesses wishing to attend a webinar, or receive regular e:newsletters on the scheme can visit the project webpage. 

  
In February 2020 Avon & Somerset Police Chief Constable asked Bath & North East Somerset Council to consider an ATTRO covering the wider city centre of Bath which would be used in the event of a heightened threat, specific intelligence, as a result of an incident or if there are events taking place that create crowded places.

Following consultation with Counter Terrorism security advisors and the council, which centred around the crowded places indicated within the National Counter Terrorism Security Office report, it was considered proportionate to introduce permanent restrictions covering a smaller area in the city centre resulting in the current measures, which the Chief Constable supported.

The council has continued to work alongside the Counter Terrorism advisors to protect these areas, through both physical measures and training for front line staff, both from public and private sector.

A recent public inquiry into the closure of York Street found the council had a ’clear and compelling case’ to close the street that this was a ‘proportionate response’. It also found that the council had carried out an ‘extensive consultation exercise.'

For further information, the council has created a project webpage which will be regularly updated. Allternatively, please contact Council Connect on +44 (0)1225 394041 or email citycentresecurity@bathnes.gov.uk.