After 200 years the towpath alongside the canal through Bathwick is to be officially recorded.

In an odd quirk of legislation the duty imposed upon councils in the 1950s to record footpaths did not have a deadline. Thus Bath City and it’s successors did not start to record the Public Rights of Way until 2005. It started in the North West and has been slowing working across the city ever since. Paths alongside the river and canal are the latest to be added to the Definitive Map and Statement.

It was the absence of a Definitive Map for Bathwick which caused so much trouble with the footpath to Combe Down from which the unlawful fence has recently been removed. Had the path been recorded 50 years ago then the fence may never have been erected, and it would not have taken a public enquiry to remove it.

The draft  footpath order is now available for checking here. Ojections must be recieved by 5th May. Fortunately everything seems to be uncontroversial – to speed up the process only the obvious paths are being recorded at this stage. The difficult ones are being saved up until later!

After the petition, the council meeting, the investigation, the proposal and the public consultation, it is almost time for the final decision on whether to extend the 30mph limit along Claverton Down Road.

The issue was brought to Council by Dr David Martin following a petition organised by local Liberal Democrats. A proposal was drawn up by council staff to extend the 30mph limit to the Norwood Avenue (university) junction, noting “its accident history and traffic movements”.

An objection was made to the plans, so now they come to the Council Cabinet Member for a final decision. They have been published in his weekly ‘to do’ list here. A decision will be made after 26th March

Your local Liberal Democrats continue to seek and report potholes across Bathwick and Claverton Down.

Claverton Court’s street sign has been repositioned for better traffic safety.

Local Lib Dem campaigner, Dr David Martin, arranged for the work after talking to residents of the flats. The street sign had been blocking the view of drivers seeking to leave the cul-del-sac. The new position is much more convenient for residents.

If you would like to advertise a community event on the website, email nicholas_coombes@bathnes.gov.uk

Bathwick St. Mary’s Primary School has been rated as the best state primary in Britain.

The award was from the Sunday Times which recognised high achievement across a range of subject areas.

Dr David Martin, who is a governor of the school added his own congratulations: “I’m proud to be associated with the school. It’s academic success is clear, and is due to the hard work of the whole school community – staff, children and parents.”

This weekend the St. Mary’s Bathwick Festival celebrates the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of the parish of Bathwick into the City of Bath. The parish magazine advertises a Sung Eucharist with ‘Party’ refreshments afterwards. A colourful Civic Occasion as we welcome dignitaries from ‘over the river’ and release 175 balloons.

The Mayor will be there, as will the Charter Trustees (city councillors) including me – I suspect that we may be the dignitaries from ‘over the river’. Living on Bathwick Hill I may disappoint on the location criteria, but I can promise that I shall be wearing my robes and hat of office!

The celebrations start at 10:30 on Sunday 12th September.

I have today submitted an objection to the closure of Pulteney Bridge and intend to challenge any decision made in favour of doing so.

The Public Realm & Movement Strategy is an excellent plan for our city centre, which many experts in and outside of the council have been working on for years. The closure of Pulteney Bridge to all vehicles is within this and is a measure which, in principal, I support.

However, this plan for closure and consequent diversion of bus routes appears to be presented in isolated with no mitigation of its unintended consequences. On enquiring about changes to bus routes and the need for new bus stops, I am concerned to find that there are no plans in place. Similarly, plans are not yet available for works to North Parade to improve traffic flow at the Pulteney Road junction.

I urge the Conservative cabinet member to close Pulteney Bridge only when adequate mitigation measures are in place for bus passengers living on the affected routed and to ease traffic flow on North Parade bridge.

B&NES council is proposing to close Pulteney Bridge (consultation sheet as picture above, not otherwise available on-line) to all traffic, including buses. The 18 and 418 service (among many) cross Pulteney Bridge, so First Buses are making plans to divert.

From 5th September they propose that the orange buses use the same route as the blue buses; ie along Pulteney Road and North Parade. This will entirely cut out Great Pulteney Street and Edward Street. While the official residents’ association group for the Pulteney Estate has been campaigning to get rid of the buses from their street, many elderly residents in the area will be affected.

While no additional bus stops have been proposed, it may be useful to move the downhill bus stop at the lower end of Bathwick Hill closer to the roundabout and introduce a new downhill bus stop outside St. Patrick’s Court. Please put your thoughts in the comments.