Row erupts at BANES Council over plans for city centre bollards
A conservative councillor says they will lock disabled people out of the centre of Bath
Steel bollards set to be installed around Bath City Centre, will lock disabled people out of the area.
That's what the leader of the Conservatives on Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council says.
Vic Pritchard is even urging the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to get involved.
BANES Council's cabinet approved plans for bollards in July at a cost of £2.7 million saying they will deter potential terror attacks.
There have been several on the continent in recent years where vehicles have been used as weapons, including in 2016 when Berlin's Christmas market was attacked.
As a popular tourist destination with its own hugely popular market, Bath is considered a potential future target.
The proposals include a 24/7 ban on food and parcel deliveries into the secure zone, with residents required to apply for permits for larger deliveries or scaffolding, and tradespeople forced to park outside and bring their kit in on trolleys.
Following changes backed by Avon and Somerset Police, core streets around the Abbey will only be open to traffic between 6pm and 10am daily, with York Street not reopening until 10pm to allow for heavier anticipated footfall going to the Clore Centre when it opens.
Accessibility consultants Atkins warned that removing all parking would mean some disabled people “having to endure pain for longer and at higher levels” than some would be able to endure.
Councillor Pritchard appealed to Grant Shapps MP to stop BANES Council’s Liberal Democrat administration implementing the “senseless and destructive policy”, but cabinet members said the measures were proportionate and necessary to keep people safe.
Cllr Pritchard said: “The ring of steel proposals are unfair and unnecessary and we are seeking help from the Government to try to get this administration to see sense and ditch these controversial plans.
“The Liberal Democrats are using the threat of terrorism to further their anti-motoring agenda and further demonise drivers.
“These proposals will not actually prevent terror attacks from taking place and will simply marginalise members of our community who are not able to move around easily.”
Cllr Pritchard also says the policy goes against the spirit of the Equalities Act and warned it would give the council the right to rescind all access for blue badge holders if the national terror threat level is “severe” – as it was last Christmas before it was reduced to “substantial” in February.
He said that after the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the council should be championing Bath, not “walling it off” to residents and visitors.
In response Council leader Kevin Guy said: “This is a police request and the council has to implement said request and we are doing that through the widest public consultation possible, however the police are right in saying that public safety is at the heart of these safety measures and it’s the job of the council to help the police implement them.”
The cabinet member for transport Manda Rigby added that the bollards represent "proportionate preventative measures".
"The measures balance public protection with a vibrant and accessible city centre and are not designed to ‘lock people out'," she said.
“Temporary security measures have been in place since 2016 in response to intelligence that said, although there was no immediate threat, Bath was a potential target given its large footfall, international prominence, and historic assets.
“Through consultation we have responded to feedback on the initial proposals for vehicle restrictions to be in place 24 hours a day and listened to views that said this was too restrictive."
Cllr Rigby continued that "controlled authorised access" for blue badge holders and taxis transporting blue badge holders will be allowed in Cheap Street, Westgate Street, Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls.
“Cabinet made its decision on July 20 and people now have another opportunity to comment when the traffic regulation orders (TROs) are published later this month," she said.
"We will continue to work with representatives of all groups to ensure we deliver against the competing aims of security and access to the best of our ability."