Park used for profit, not for pleasure

OVER the past three years there have been great concerns raised by residents living close to Bath’s Royal Victoria Park and those further afield regarding the type and frequency of events in the park.

Royal Victoria Park is a resource for us all to enjoy, the land having been acquired in the 19th century by Councillor (and seven times mayor) Jerom Murch to create a park for the sole purpose of enjoyment and outdoor pleasure for the residents of Bath as part of a public health initiative.

However, what has happened over the past three years is the everincreasing commercialisation of the park for income, rather than to provide pleasure through access to open space or as the venue of events for the pleasure of local residents.

One significant event that epitomises this overcommercialisation is the Pub in the Park. At a time when the council should be supporting local businesses, this event is adding unnecessary competition, creates huge disturbance for all local residents, fences off much of the park from ordinary park users, excludes local pub and food outlets from joining the event, and is expensive and financially out of reach for most residents.

All, I am told, for a minuscule income of £10,000 – not much of a trade-off for the local resident and taxpayer.

The noise from such an event affects residents enjoying their property and gardens, and children studying as far as Lansdown, Lower Weston, and across the city centre.

We all want events in the city and residents close to Royal Victoria Park accept that the park is public open space where there will be a mix of types of events, from the funfair, to circus, to music events, but too often Royal Victoria Park is the “easy option” and we maintain that these should be spread across all of the parks and open spaces of Bath.

While difficult financial choices are currently having to be made by B&NES and local authorities across the whole country, a better balance needs to be struck as to the type and frequency of events in our public spaces. Decisions must consider the interests of park users and local residents and not be driven by commercial interests alone. Cllr Andrew Furse and Cllr Sue

Craig, Kingsmead Ward