Date for ring of steel hearing after resident’s access protest
A date has been set for a £60,000 public inquiry being held after a Bath woman refused to withdraw her objection to the ring of steel plans.
From April 26 an inspector appointed by the Transport Secretary will consider the anti-terrorism traffic regulation order to close York Street, which Hannah Downey said would make the “lives of residents, trades, deliveries and businesses a misery”.
She publicly claimed she was pressured into withdrawing her objection by Bath and North East Somerset Council chief executive Will Godfrey.
The authority said it had tried to work to mitigate her concerns and the proposals had “overwhelming” support from the Abbey Quarter Business Association.
Ms Downey said she was given no guarantee her concerns would be addressed and that she would have reasonable access to her property.
York Street is not a through route and there is no turning area so vehicles have to reverse out or attempt to turn around.
The council said due to the risk of harm and the increased footfall from the Clore Learning Centre, it will not be possible to allow blue badge holders or residents to park there.
The measures propose shutting York Street between 10am and 6pm to prevent a terror attack and to
keep it closed until 10pm to prevent danger.
Anyone interested in the subject matter of the inquiry may appear in person or send a counsel, a solicitor or other representative.
The inspector may refuse to hear any person, or to consider any objection or representation, if he considers that the views of that person or the objection or representation are irrelevant or have already been adequately stated at the inquiry.
Written representations should be sent to City Centre Security Team, Lewis House, Manvers Street,
Bath BA1 1JG. Objections, written representations and the council’s evidence will be available to view at www.bathnes.gov.uk/yorkstreetpublicinquiry or in the One Stop Shops in Bath, Midsomer Norton and Keynsham.
Anyone who wants to appear at or attend should contact the planning inspectorate as soon as possible by emailing Etc@planninginspectorate.gov.uk, quoting reference number DPI/F0114/22/2 and giving their contact details, or calling 0303 4445572.
Despite the public inquiry, security measures are set to be installed as planned in Lower Borough Walls, Stall Street, Abbeygate Street, Abbey Green, Swallow Street (south), Bath Street, Beau Street, Hot Bath Street, Cheap Street, Westgate Street (including Parsonage Lane), Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls.
The ring of steel is set to cost £2.1million to implement and £128,000 to operate in 2022/23.