Closure of Cheap Street during Bath Christmas Market

Enhanced measures to protect public safety during Bath Christmas Market are being introduced with the extended closure of Cheap Street, Westgate Street and Upper Borough Walls during the event.

The decision follows a formal request this week from Avon and Somerset Police, due to police and council concerns raised regarding the large footfall in the city and to mitigate risks created by unauthorised vehicles failing to leave the area within the market’s footprint.

On Saturday during one of the busiest days in the Christmas Market’s history police had to escort a large goods vehicle that legally entered the confines of the temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) but was unable to exit causing significant public disruption and concerns for public safety.

Image: Bath Christmas Market

Residents and businesses are being contacted by Bath & North East Somerset Council about the closure which is being introduced under the ATTRO already in place for the duration of the market.       

The road, that encompasses the loop from Cheap Street to Upper Borough Walls will close from 6am to midnight each day from Thursday 5 December. 

The police and the council will review the extended closure and reconsider the decision on Monday 9 December.

Avon and Somerset Police Chief Inspector Scott Hill, said: “We have requested the extended closure having reviewed the large volume of footfall in the city. While the level of security threat has not changed, the risks to public safety, demonstrated by the lorry getting stuck last weekend, has been raised and action is needed to mitigate that risk and protect public safety.”

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, said; “Public safety has to come first. The traffic regulation order, which is in place for the market does allow us to extend the timings of the closure following a request from the police. We are now contacting all the residents and businesses which will be affected over the next days before the review to make them aware of the new hours for restrictions at the request of the police, and what that means for them.”

Managed access will be given to emergency services, and residents within the zone who are also Blue Badge holders. Waste vehicles will be permitted access under the normal arrangements. Blue Badge parking details and a map can be found on the council’s website.   

Bath Christmas Market runs until 15 December, details are available at https://bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/.