The newly Liberal Democrat B&NES Council have abandonned the Conservatives’ plan to close Pulteney Bridge.
Back in August 2010 the ruling Conservative administration sought to close Pulteney Bridge to all traffic, including buses. In anticipation of closure, First Bus rerouted their services along North Parade Road. The controversy caused by this led the Conservaties to delay their final decision until after the elections in May. Having taken control of the council then, the Lib Dems have now formally abandonned the plan, lifting all threat of closure.
Residents and passengers have found their services stuck in traffic along North Parade Road and without access to key stops at Great Pulteney Street Surgery and the Guildhall. Bathwick’s Liberal Democrat councillors campaigned strongly against these changes which disadvantaged local passengers.
With the threat of closure lifted, First Bus will be restoring some of their services over the bridge from the end of the month. Servieces along the Warminster Road are due to be returned to Pulteney Bridge from 30th October. Discussions with First and Wessex Connect continue over the route of the 18 and U18 service.
So yet again the council make a bad decision that does nothing to protect our heritage in Bath. How on earth can traffic going over the bridge be in any way a good thing? I am most angry about the abandonment of this plan which I felt, as a local resident and frequent pedestrian/cyclist over the bridge, one of the most sensible plans for Bath in a long time! Buses and taxis generally drive too fast over the bridge and come far too close to pedestrians, who are forced onto the road due to lack of space on the pavement, as the pavement simply cannot cope with the amount of foot traffic! Where is the priority? Carbon-emitting, structurally damaging vehicles or more environmentally friendly, greener pedestrians and cyclists? This just DOES NOT MAKE SENSE! Please re-consider!!
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