The University of Bath have built a new pedestrian crossing to access the bus stop on Convocation Avenue.

The need for a crossing was brought up at a meeting of the University Neighbours’ Forum, a regular meeting of university management and local residents. The Forum was established by Bathwick’s Lib Dem councillors to improve town and gown relations.

A new strip of pavement has been laid, and a pedestrian island installed just after the Avenue junction. This means that local residents and bus passengers will be able to cross safely for their outwards and return journeys.

Cllr David Martin, who lives nearby, has welcomed the construction of the crossing: “I’m glad that local residents have a forum to discuss matters like this with the university management.”

A new bus service, from Bathwick Hill to the city centre over Pulteney Bridge, starts today.

Bugler Coaches’ 18B service is the first to take residents directly to the city centre since the Conservatives caused the route to be scrapped three years ago.

Liberal Democrats on the council stopped the bridge closure plan and now services have returned after a long campaign by local residents and councillors.

The yellow buses run every 15 minutes weekdays until 8pm and every half hour on Saturdays and university holidays. The route is circular, returning via Widcombe.

“This is a victory for bus users, who value a service that meets their needs directly,” said Cllr David Martin. “I hope the service will prove useful for residents, who will now be able to make a choice between different operators providing slightly different service routes into and from the city centre.”

New digital signs have been installed in Bath to tell drivers which car parks have available spaces.

The signs are part of the Bath Transport Package, a huge investment secured by Liberal Democrats on BathNES Council to improve transport in the city. It also includes expansion of our park and ride sites and improvements to bus stops.

By directing drivers to available spaces, and warning if car parks are full, traffic in the city centre will be eased on busy days as drivers spend less time searching for parking.

In Bathwick there are new signs on Beckford Road and Pulteney Road.

The 18/U18 bus stop on the High Street outbound from the city centre was recently re-positioned to be adjacent to Bath Abbey as part of the Public Realm improvements in the city centre. The re-positioning and bus stop layout was to accommodate more easily the bendy buses that are used on this service.

The new position has proved to be somewhat exposed to wind and rain in poor weather, and residents have asked for a bus shelter with seating to be incorporated at this new position. Your local Lib Dem councillors have supported these calls.

The Council has responded to these requests, and has undertaken to review how a shelter can be successfully integrated into this part of the High Street area; they are evaluating what appropriately sensitive design of shelter can now be incorporated at this location. The aim is to develop a proposal for public consultation in the next few weeks. Shelters within High Street form part of the wider Bath Transport Package which is rolling out new and upgraded bus shelters across the city over the next 12-18 months.

A Bath University open day and a Bath Rugby home game are among the events coinciding to create a ‘perfect storm’ of congestion next weekend.

Reporting to this evening’s University Neighbours’ Forum, university management described the coincidence of events. The open day is likely to attract 8-10,000 prospective students to the Claverton Down campus, the majority of whom will arrive by car. Previous open days have resulted in heavy traffic on all roads between the campus and the motorway; this month is unlikely to be any different.

For the first time, a Saturday open day will be on the same day as a Bath Rugby home match, which also often cause heavy congestion in the city centre. The open day was scheduled a year ahead of the publication of the fixture list, which is heavily influenced by TV schedules. This match, against league rivals Leicester, is likely to be very popular.

To add a little Bath flair to the day, the Jane Austen Promenade will be walking through the city centre from 11am. Up to 600 participants in regency costume will parade from the Royal Crescent to Parade Gardens.

Finally, there will be light gunfire and occasional artillery rounds from a re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg at the American Museum. This year is the 150th anniversary of the civil war battle, which will be re-fought over the weekend. Cannon fire is expected at 3pm with small-arms throughout the day.

For pedestrians and cyclists, Saturday 14th September will be a lively and exciting day. For motorists it will be very difficult. Wessex Water have promised to re-open Claverton Hill for the day to relieve pressure.

A new circular bus service will link Bathwick Hill, Pulteney Bridge and the city centre. The 18B service will return from the city centre via Rossiter Road to the University.

The service will be run by Bugler Coaches, starting from 23rd September. Buses will be every 15 minutes during term time and every 30 minutes on Saturdays and during the holidays. There are no buses planned after 8pm or Sundays.

This new service is excellent news for residents cut off from the city centre when the 18 was re-routed to North Parade. Your Liberal Democrat councillors, Nicholas Coombes and David Martin, have been working to restore a service ever since.

Claverton Hill will be closed during August, September and October.

The closure is to allow for water main replacement, starting on Monday 19th August. The works are scheduled to last for ten weeks, which suggests re-opening on 28th October. However, the closure may be for longer or shorter than planned.

The road will be closed to the East (downhill) of Limekiln Lane, with the diversion down Brassknocker Hill.

An electric sign reminding speeding drivers of the limit has been installed on Warminster Road.

The sign on the corner of Minster Way will flash if vehicles exceed the 30mph limit driving into Bath. Reduced speeds in this location will protect pedestrians, including children crossing to St Mary’s Primary.

“We’ve been working for a safety solution here for some time,” says Cllr David Martin. “Dozens of local residents supported a petition for a safer crossing here, and we are working up proposals with the council highways department. This interactive speeding sign can only help to improve matters.”

Plans for a safer pedestrian crossing are being re-designed following feedback from residents.