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n NEWS Lib Dems: many motorists using streets as ‘park and stride’

Continued from page 1

Zone proposals for Walcot, Snow Hill, and Claremont Road ‘will affect over 11,000 people in Walcot and Lambridge, yet nearby areas will not be covered, making the logic of the new zones questionable.’

As with RPZs in other parts of Bath the main issue is the removal of free on-street parking meaning those looking for somewhere to park use neighbouring streets.

This creates difficulties for residents there who find commuters and others have taken all the spaces. And for those who cannot afford a residents permit to park then they have to park further away from their home.

The Conservatives are also critical of RPZs. Their transport spokesman, Graham Pristo, said: “This LibDem Council has a blinkered anti-motorist agenda, and is imposing its dogmatic view on the city, even when local residents say they don’t agree.

“Resident-only parking is a blunt instrument to use to try to control traffic. It can cause serious unintended consequences. Local residents’ wishes need to be respected: if people in a street want such controls, then they should be supported. But if they don’t, that view should be supported too.”

He said they had spoken to residents and businesses across the city, including in Chelsea Road in Newbridge and Moorland Road in Oldfield Park who fear that the impact of RPZs would be negative.

Pam Richards of the Labour Party in Bath said: “Bath Labour Party is committed to reducing congestion and improving air quality in Bath as part of a wider strategy to move to net zero climate targets. Surveys show that this is broadly supported by the public but there are no easy solutions.

“We’re concerned, like many, that the Lib Dem administration isn’t consulting with adequate transparency. This is yet another example of the Lib Dems’ failing to deliver for local communities.”

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrat run council have defended the introduction of RPZs on the basis that a majority of residents approve of them.

They point out that when consulted that 82% of Entry Hill residents were in favour there, people in Sion Hill and Summerhill Road showed 72.5% support and in Lyme Gardens and Charmouth Road the consultation showed 64% of residents were in favour.

However consultations in St John’s Road, St Michael’s Road and Hungerford Road area, Chelsea Road and Foxcombe Road Area and Oldfield Park and Westmoreland area were split suggesting there was not overwhelming support.

And in Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road area a majority were against the scheme.

This year the Council will see RPZs introduced at St John’s Road, St Michael’s Road and Hungerford Road area; Chelsea Road and Foxcombe Road area Sion Hill and Summerhill Road area Entry Hill area; Lyme Gardens and Charmouth Road area; Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road area; and the Oldfield Park and Westmoreland area.

Few would disagree with the overall objectives of RPZs which aim to tackle anti-social driving and commuter parking in residential streets.

The Council said the zones also support wider council policies that aim to reduce vehicle emissions and congestion and ensure fair consideration and equitable street space is given to those that would prefer to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle short trips.

This includes the council’s response to the climate and ecological emergencies in its Journey to Net Zero plan.

So the main issue of where the RPZs should go and the knock-on effects of their implementation to residents in particular.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “As part of making this decision we have listened to residents, many of whom find it challenging to park near their homes because of commuter parking.

“Currently, too many motorists use these areas to ‘park and stride’, circling often narrow, residential streets to find free parking before heading into the city for the day.

“This is not something we can encourage if we are serious about tackling congestion, air pollution and our climate emergency. Instead, we want to encourage people to use our local buses, the park and ride sites, or to walk, scoot or cycle short journeys.”

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Wellness News: Former Winter Olympic Champion Amy Williams is to speak at the launch of a Wellness Festival on Tuesday, February 7, at Walcot House in Bath in the evening.

It is the start of ReBalance Bath, a three week long festival that features, talks, workshops and therapy sessions.

Amy attended Hayesfield School Technology College, Beechen Cliff School and the University of Bath which is where she trained for the skeleton before triumphing at the 2010 Canadian Olympics.

These days Amy is a TV presenter best known on Ski Sunday and The Gadget Show - and is also a motivational speaker and now an author.

She will be hosting several of her own events during the festival including a talk at Toppings book shop on her new book Talent to Triumph

Behind the festival is Bath BID the business organisation that promotes the city centre and its events.

ReBalance runs from February 7th to the 25th and features the seven pillars of wellness: physical, mental, social, financial, spiritual, vocational and environmental.

There are events that include Laughter yoga with The Vitality Studio; Guided meditation and Sound Baths at The Soul Spa; Motivational talks with Bath Rugby Foundation; Cold water therapy at

Cleveland Pools; Teen Yoga; Ocean film showings at Komedia; Kintsugi workshop and a Chado Tea Ceremony with Japanese restaurant Robun.