Drivers face fines in restricted city street
Fines will now be given to anyone who breaks restrictions on a street in the centre of Bath.
Milsom Street, which has been a popular route in the city for motorists, has been under restrictions since July 6 which mean only buses are allowed to use the road from the junction with George Street up to Quiet Street between 10am and 6pm.
All vehicles are also prohibited from parking, loading and waiting except in the authorised and designated loading bays between the hours of 6pm and 10am.
The measures were put in place to allow for easier social distancing following the Covid- 19 lockdown and keep pedestri- ans and cyclists safe in the city, with a temporary barrier erected across the entry to the road.
Bath and North East Somerset Council wardens have up to now been monitoring the area and preventing access manually, but the barrier blocking the street will soon be removed.
Instead, the street has now been fitted with automatic number plate recognition cameras which will come into use at the beginning of October.
However, the restrictions on use of Milsom Street will remain and the council has warned that anyone caught breaking the rules will be fined up to £60.
Cllr Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport services, said the council had not carried out enforcement while motorists adapted to the change but that it was now needed to ensure people’s safety.
She said: “Milsom Street is a busy and well-used route for motorists and although the temporary restriction came into force in July, we chose not to carry out enforcement until now while people adjusted to not using the route.
“However, we must now make sure that people can safely enjoy the benefits of walking and cycling and are able to social distance more easily without having to dedicate a full-time warden to monitor this.
“Signs will be put up at the junction and on the route leading up to it to warn drivers about the cameras, so please make sure you continue to use an alternative route.”
The street, known as a retail hub in the city and once named Britain’s best fashion street, has been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic and is now dotted with closed stores.