The ETRO (Experimental Traffic Regulation Order) consultation for the New Sydney Place Liveable Neighbourhood trial closes at 5pm on 3 October. We encourage anyone who has experienced the benefits of cleaner air, car free pedestrian and cycle access and a safer crossing experience for children from two nearby schools to respond to the survey here.
Here is one statement received from a Bath resident, a personal view, to help inform your response:
Liveable Neighbourhoods
I want to talk as an ordinary Bath resident about the Liveable Neighbourhood trials. I live quite near the current ETRO trial in Bathwick, but NOT in the ETRO area itself. The LN process started over three years ago, with several rounds of consultation.
The input by local residents is important but I want to acknowledge the importance of that input being translated into technically appropriate measures. The Sydney Road LN was a great example of this where the engineers remodelled a junction with the main road on entry to the LN, resulting in much-needed traffic-calming on the main road as well as a safer crossing experience for children from two nearby schools. Typically, not all drivers are happy to be forced to drive within speed limits, but politicians should not have to apologise for making roads safer for more vulnerable users.
Attempts were made for years to enforce speed and weight limits on Sydney Road, all unsuccessful. It’s regrettable some public commentary from people who chose not to participate in earlier parts of the process has singled out and blamed some residents for some perceived disadvantage. But it really isn’t just about residents.
As someone who doesn’t live in the ETRO area but uses it many times a week, these are the people I see benefit – once, occasionally or daily:
• Many people of all ages just walking, jogging and cycling up/down the road
• Tourists obviously on their way into Bath from the hotel and the many local short-term lets.
• People crossing from upper entrance of Sydney Gardens to Bath Spa Hotel, Sham Castle Lane or the Canal – encompassing many key city walks used by locals and tourists
• School children, tourists and local residents crossing Sydney Road between the stepped entrance from Sydney Gardens towards North Road (location of King Edwards School)
• People using Sydney Gardens entrance on Upper Sydney Place – a connecting route between Sydney Gardens and any of Bathwick St Mary Church, Sydney Mews, Great Pulteney Street, all well used pedestrian routes used by many groups: playground users, tourists, Holburne Museum or cafe visitors, and others.
• Children enjoying safer access for multiple summer events in Sydney Gardens including Mr Doodle exhibition and events, Carnival, Summer Theatre, Forest School etc.
• Tourists and Bridgerton fans enjoying the very special architecture and history of Upper Sydney Place
These people represent the much wider community that need and deserve to have safe walking routes.
Since the ETRO trial started I no longer see elderly people with walking aids too scared to cross the road until another pedestrian stops the traffic for them, HGVs flagrantly flouting the 7.5T weight limit, anyone being hit by a car (all of which I saw personally and in some instances frequently in the previous 18 months)
I very much hope both the trials will be a success, opening up the possibility of further improvements such as a much-needed pedestrian crossing on Beckford Road and other pedestrian improvements to local main road junctions.