Council abandons bus gate plan in east Bath after local opposition and promises a broader traffic solution.
The council stopped plans on February 18. The bus gate was planned for Camden Road’s crossroads and locals worried about its effects. A local doctor and groups opposed it. Green councillors Wright and Heijltjes also fought it.
Wright said it’s good news, but the council messed up. She thinks the council favored a few people and didn’t listen to everyone’s concerns. Wright once wrote the council’s planning rules, now she says they don’t use them well.
Traffic will move to poorer neighborhoods, she warned. Greens want the community to lead the planning. It should help everyone, not just some. The council wants less traffic on residential streets and safer walking and cycling spaces. Locals felt the bus gate worsened traffic.
Council leader Guy wrote to residents on February 18. He said they heard their concerns about traffic. A plan prioritized buses but kept traffic problems, so he stopped the plan for the bus gate and wants a broader solution for the area.
He wants to work with residents plus businesses to fix traffic in Walcot and other areas. This will happen when they get new funding. The council will work with locals on a plan, however, funding might take years.
The Liberal Democrats run the council, while the Greens are a smaller group. Wright and Heijltjes invite people to a public meeting to share their thoughts on a better plan.