Roof would be game changer
The Stadium for Bath fails on a number of levels but succeeds on others. The most significant issue is that the stadium does not have a roof. With a roof the stadium could be used all year round as a venue for concerts, exhibitions, and much, much more. As it stands it is likely that it will remain simply a place for rugby not a stadium for all the people of Bath. A stadium with a retractable roof offers significant revenue generation opportunities for the city and the value is potentially worth billions. The financing of the stadium build has cleverly identified that an 800 space car park under the Bath Rec is needed. This also has the advantage in diverting cross town traffic trying to access Avon Street and Charlotte Street car parks from London Road and Warminster Road. When the council finally releases its ANPR data we should be able to identify the traffic reduction impact the Rec car park will have on cross city travel. The big issue with this car park is that it is simply not big enough. It could be built under the whole of the Bath Rec providing close to 2,000 spaces without any visible change to the Rec. This would enable the council to redevelop Manvers Street car park, potentially into affordable high density flats. A large car park, with multiple access points at the perimeters, could also provide a mix of short, long, and residential parking enabling the reclamation of Great Pulteney Street into a tree lined boulevard. This would also enable the council to close Manvers Street Car park and remove all non-essential parking from the centre. This is how Zurich has achieved an amazing city centre with all cars stored in underground car parks and on-street parking converted to tram ways, cycle lanes, and cafes/ gardens. This could even allow the closure of George Street. A big issue that councils are beginning to tackle is installation of electric vehicle charging points. Many councils are cluttering pavements with them causing significant accessibility issues. Five years from now there will be demand from Great Pulteney Street residents for on-street charging points which will not sit well with the Bath Preservation Trust. The Rec car park can provide 2,000 charging points. If we truly want a stadium that is for ALL that is an all year round economic powerhouse for Bath, then it needs to have a roof. This can be easily financed by a large modern invisible underground car park that provides a mix of short, long, and residential parking with electric vehicle charging points. The final issue with the proposal is the footbridge across to Parade Gardens. This is a good idea regenerating the area, but does not solve the big issue of the crowds coming up from the bus/train stations. A new 5m wide footbridge from the back of the train station across the river by the canal or further up near the railway skew bridge should also be part of the proposal fixing the overcrowding that occurs on Halfpenny Bridge and North Parade. This is something Cycle Bath has discussed in detail with Sustrans, the Canal and River Trust, and the council. The Bath Quays Cycle Bridge money was initially allocated to building such a bridge. It is time this is reconsidered. If we are going to build a stadium, let’s take this opportunity to build a stadium for Bath not just rugby. It should be an all year round economic power house. It should fix a significant number of transport issues within the city. It should enable us to reclaim an iconic Georgian Boulevard. Bath should be able to go see Adele on a Tuesday evening in October without the concert noise impacting the neighbours. What it should not be is just about rugby. The Rec was given to the city for use by ALL the residents. A stadium with a retractable roof honours that gift. Adam Reynolds Cycle Bath chair Bath