Bath's Terrace Walk to close for city centre security works

Terrace Walk in Bath will close temporarily from this week for drainage works needed to install a sliding bollard at the entrance to York Street as part of the introduction of anti-terrorism measures to protect the public.

The road closure will begin on Wednesday 8 February and is expected to be in place until Friday 17 February, although it may be lifted early if works are completed ahead of schedule.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has notified businesses and residents of the access arrangements during the city centre security scheme works.

Business deliveries can continue to access Terrace Walk at its northern junction with Pierrepont St as far as the closure point and can use the loading bays available. Once deliveries have been made, traffic marshals will be on hand to help vehicles turn around safely and exit left onto Pierrepont St.

Alternative drop off and pick up points for coaches are available on Grand Parade and A36 Pulteney Road and other available locations can be found at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coach-parking-bath.

Bath Bus Company and Air Decker passengers will use the bus stop on the High St during the closure period.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times on the north side of York Street.
Further information can be found on the council’s City Centre Security webpage.

There will also be some unrelated repair works on Manvers Street and North Parade junction between 6 and 10 February. This will mean Manvers Street will be closed overnight on these dates between 7pm and 7am.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “The works at Terrace Walk are a key part of progressing the permanent anti-terrorism measures to protect the public. We know businesses will experience some inconvenience but we aim to keep disruption to a minimum. Thank you for your patience while the works are completed.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council is introducing its proportionate, preventative measures to protect public safety, based on police advice, following extensive consultations, talks with businesses, residents and accessibility groups. The security proposals include vehicle access restrictions on streets defined as crowded places in and around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths while maintaining managed access to the city centre for residents, businesses and blue badge holders.

They were initially based on a counter-terrorism security survey on Bath city centre in September 2016 which identified the areas as being vulnerable to a potential hostile vehicle attack.

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.

The proposed Protect Duty legislation, now to be known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ will seek to further improve the safety and security for our residents and visitors. Martyn’s Law sets out that it is in the public interest for the Government, local authorities and businesses to work together to ensure people are protected when visiting venues, retail areas, and other publicly accessible locations without introducing undue burden. Bath & North East Somerset Council is preparing for this new legislation, which is expected to become law during 2023.