Safer crossing for Warminster Road

Warminster Road crossing

A pedestrian refuge has been built on Warminster Road behind Bathwick St Mary’s Primary School. Residents, parents and your local councillors had campaigned for a safer crossing for several years.

The crossing links the back gates of the school with the alleyway from St Christopher’s Close. This helps parents walking their children to school in the morning, from both the Minster Way estate and North Road. It is also of benefit to residents of Minster Way and St Christopher’s Close when walking into the city centre.

“I’m glad to see this crossing finally built,” said Liberal Democrat councillor David Martin. “Parents and residents have been asking for this crossing for some time and I’m pleased that we have been able to deliver it. I think that we have reached a good compromise between safety and parking on Warminster Road now.”

University neighbours’ forum

University parade

The next meeting of the forum for neighbours of the university campus is on Tuesday 3rd June.

The forum allows those living near the Claverton Down campus to talk with management and the Students’ Union of the University of Bath. The agenda this term includes buildings works around the campus and planned events. This Saturday is the Students’ Union summer ball, which is expected to attract thousands of ballgowns and bow-ties.

The meeting starts at 5:30pm; please RSVP to G.Gillespie@bath.ac.uk if you wish to attend.

Planning applications around The Avenue

Norwood Dene

Two planning applications have been made this week which may be of interest to residents of The Avenue at North Road. One application seeks to demolish Norwood Dene, at the western end of The Avenue, and replace it with three houses. The second, 100m away at Woodlands on North Road, is to change the use from residential to offices for the University.

The Norwood Dene application is by developer Ashford Homes. They propose two houses facing the road, with a third larger home behind.  Consultation is open until 25th June; if you want to comment on the scheme you can do so here.

The Woodlands application is to change the use of the building from a house to offices. The University of Bath has previously let the building for residential use. There are no physical changes requiring planning or listed building consent proposed. Consultation is open until 20th June; if you want to comment on the scheme you can do so here.

– Cllr Nicholas Coombes is no longer able to comment on planning matters as he works for the Planning Inspectorate.

Holburne appoints new director

The Holburne Museum extension

The Holburne Museum of Art has appointed a new director, Jennifer Scott.

Dr Alexander Sturgis, the museum’s director since 2005, has recently been appointed director of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. During his period at the Holburne, the museum has been extended and renovated, enjoying significantly higher visitor numbers.

Jennifer Scott has worked for the last ten years as a curator of the Royal Collections. Her expertise is in Renaissance painting, and she recently collaborated with the Holburne on the Rembrant and his contemporaries exhibition. She starts at the Holburne from the Autumn.

Meanwhile, the museum is preparing for its first ‘Up late’ Friday evening. On 30th May, and the last Friday of the month thereafter, the museum and cafe will be open until 9pm.

Bathwick Hill closed for resurfacing 22-30 April

Bathwick Hill closure

Bathwick Hill will be closed between Cleveland Walk and North Road after Easter for resurfacing.

Currently Widcombe Hill is shut for resurfacing works, with traffic diverted to Bathwick Hill. BathNES Council have arranged both projects during the university holidays to minimise disruption to travel.

Bathwick Hill will be closed from 22-28 April, and then the following week 28-30 April. Cllr Nicholas Coombes has requested that notices be placed on bus stops to warn passengers of service diversions.

Minster Way to be resurfaced this summer

Minster Way surface

Minster Way will be re-surfaced this summer thanks to the Liberal Democrats on BathNES Council.

The Lib Dem Council has budgeted an extra £2million for road re-surfacing this year, including Bathwick and Widcombe Hills. The surface of Minster Way has deteriorated in recent years, with countless cracks and loose material.

The road will be resurfaced with micro-asphalt, which is a quick and efficient process, leaving a smooth surface over the carriageway. Residents will be given plenty of notice of the works to move their vehicles.

Diseased Warminster Road tree to be felled

Tree

A diseased Lime tree on Warminster Road is to be felled at the weekend. BathNES Council’s arboricultural expert has identified extensive decay in the main stem.

The tree is on the east side of the road, near the junction with North Road. The works will be undertaken on Sunday and may result in some traffic disruption.

A replacement tree will soon be planted in a similar location.

New bus shelters reach Bathwick

Warminster Road bus shelter

The first of a new generation of bus shelters in Bathwick has been installed on Warminster Road. The new shelter replaces an older model near the Minster Way junction.

Many more modern bus shelters will be installed across the city in the coming months. They are part of BathNES Council’s Bath Transport Package, a series of measures aimed to improve bus patronage. This will include the introduction of real-time passenger information at bus stops, so that those waiting will have an accurate prediction of when the next bus is due. The new shelter on Warminster Road is ready for the installation of this display.

New shelters are planned across Bathwick, mostly on Bathwick Hill. These will replace and improve existing shelters, and there will be new provision for popular stops which do not currently have a shelter. There is also a shelter ordered for the 18 stop outside the Abbey for the first time.

Vodaphone seek to build bigger mast on The Avenue

Phone mast

Vodaphone are seeking to replace their phone mast on The Avenue with a larger model. They are consulting about replacing the 13.4m mast, installed in 2006, with a 17.5m mast carrying more equipment.

Bath University Estates have responded to the consultation objecting to the proposal, pointing out that the existing phone masts on top of their Norwood House could be used for the Vodaphone service.

Liberal Democrat councillor David Martin will also be sending a robust reply in response to this proposal.