Rage as lane closure stays despite major opposition

The controversial closure of Winifred’s Lane in Bath has been made permanent - despite 72% in the trial area being opposed to the plan.

- John Wimperis Local democracy reporter johnwimperis@reachpiccom

The decision was made by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Council cabinet member Joel Hirst said that the objections the council had received “overstate the potential harm from the scheme.”

However, the council also acknowledged there were “areas of concern,’ such as traffic doubling on a road past a primary school since the liveable neighbourhood scheme ‘was introduced.

The Heart of Lansdown Conservation Group, which campaigned against the liveable neighbourhood (also known as a low traffic neighbourhood or LTN), said: “This is such a shameful decision that we'll now look at further options to reverse it”

Winifred’s Lane, the steep narrow lane at the top of Cavendish Road in Bath, has been closed to through traffic on a trial basis since November 2024.

Together with the changes to Gay Street and the through-traffic restriction on Catharine Place, it forms part of the “Lower Lansdown and Circus Liveable Neighbourhood” scheme.

The council said: “By restricting through traffic at these three locations, the aim is to support the local neighbourhood, enable more local trips by active travel (walking, wheeling, cycling), and address excessive traffic on residential roads often used as shortcuts to and from the A46/M4 north of the city.’