From 1 January 2022, some of the Bath streets that have been temporarily restricted as part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic will become permanently restricted, as part of the Bath City Centre Security scheme. This aims to protect the city's most crowded spaces from the risk of vehicle-borne terrorist attack. Use this page to find out who is exempt from restrictions, who needs to apply to get special permission to use these roads, and how to make your request.
Exemptions
These restrictions mean that at certain times of day, only vehicles performing the following functions can enter and use the roads without arranging prior permission:
- Emergency services
- Royal Mail and ParcelForce vehicles collecting from letterboxes or the Post Office
- Construction, roadworks and emergency utility works (such as repairing gas leaks and flooded drains)
- Vehicles required for major building, industrial or demolition operations
- Private vehicles or taxis with an occupant (or picking up a passenger) carrying a valid Blue Badge card (Cheap Street access point only; exit on Upper Borough Walls)
Locations and times of restrictions
Restricted streets
Motor vehicle access will be restricted 10am to 6pm, every day, in the following streets:
Abbey Green, Abbeygate Street, Bath Street, Beau Street, Cheap Street, Hot Bath Street, Lower Borough Walls, Parsonage Lane, Saw Close, Stall Street, Swallow Street, Upper Borough Walls, Westgate Street
There will be two points of access, or gates, one on Cheap Street, and one on Lower Borough Walls. See which streets you can access via each gate in the table below.
| Gate | Streets accessed |
|---|---|
| Cheap Street |
Cheap Street, Westgate Street (including Parsonage Lane), Saw Close, Upper Borough Walls The exit from this route is on Upper Borough Walls Blue Badge holders can access these streets between 10am and 6pm |
| Lower Borough Walls | Lower Borough Walls, Stall Street, Abbeygate Street, Abbey Green, Swallow Street (south), Bath Street, Beau Street, Hot Bath Street |
View or download a map
View an online map of city centre restrictions, parking and mobility provision
Download a high resolution, printable PDF of the map
Our map includes additional disabled, resident and loading bay parking facilities, car parks with disabled spaces outside the restricted areas, and the availability of public seating around Bath City Centre.
The map reflects current access restrictions while we await the outcome of the York Street public inquiry. Once the Inspector provides the decision the map will be updated.
How we're enforcing these restrictions
Initially, we will manage and operate the restrictions through a team of onsite marshals and staff in our CCTV control room, using existing gates and the 'rise and fall' bollard on Lower Borough Walls. Gradually, we will replace this arrangement with automated and static bollards, later in 2022.
Select a topic below, to read more about how we will manage access for different services and sections of the community.
You can only use the staffed access gate at Cheap Street to enter the restricted area. The exit point for this route is on Upper Borough Walls.
You (or a carer, relative or friend who is driving you) can pick up, drop off or park for up to 3 hours on double yellow lines on the following streets inside the restricted area: Cheap Street, Westgate Street, Saw Close and Upper Borough Walls. Between the hours of 10am and 6pm, you will need to show your Blue Badge to the safety marshal positioned at the gates to enter and exit these streets.
If a carer, relative or friend drops you off on a restricted street before 10am, that same person can return to pick you up. Before your pick-up, just call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41, and they will transfer you to our CCTV team, who can check the first six digits of your Blue Badge Card and the details of the vehicle.
Taxis carrying you as a passenger can also pick up and drop off at any time on these streets. Between the hours of 10am and 6pm, you will need to show your Blue Badge to the safety marshal positioned at the gates to enter and exit these streets.
If you come into the restricted area via taxi, you can arrange to be picked up later by another taxi, without having to decide the time in advance. After you order your pick-up taxi, just call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41, and they will transfer you to our CCTV team, who can check the first six digits of your Blue Badge Card and the name of the taxi company you have ordered.
Watch the video below to find out more.
Mobility equipment within the city centre
You can now hire mobility equipment when you're out and about in Bath, whether you're a resident or a visitor. There is a range of equipment available on day-by-day hire (Monday to Friday), from Assured Mobility in Hot Bath Street. To find out more, visit their website, call on 01225 83 19 60, or email bath@assuredmobilityltd.co.uk
How to get a Blue Badge
Visit our Blue Badge web page to find out if you are eligible, and complete the online application process. Call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41 if you need help with this.
You will only be able to access these streets by applying for a one-off permit. We will issue permits on a case-by-case basis. You will need to demonstrate that the access you need is essential, and can't be arranged outside the normal operating hours of street closure, for example, a house move, or the delivery of large pieces of furniture.
If you're a resident with a Blue Badge
Before a carer, relative, friend or taxi comes to pick you up within the restricted zone, you will need to call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41. They will transfer you to our CCTV team, who can check the first six digits of your Blue Badge Card and vehicle or taxi company details.
Permits are free of charge, but we will only issue them when we are satisfied that access during restricted hours is necessary.
In general, delivery drivers will not be able to gain motor vehicle access between 10am and 6pm. Please check the options with your provider; they may include in-store collection or pick-up points, as well as out-of-hours delivery.
For normal operations
You will need to apply for an access permit for a tradesperson who is booked to work on a property within the restricted streets between 10am and 6pm. Use the procedure below.
Emergency work
In the event of an emergency, such as urgent plumbing or electrical work, please call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41 to arrange access for your tradesperson.
We have been working closely with the police and the fire and ambulance services throughout this process, to ensure that services and public safety are not affected. They will have special access to the city centre and have a direct link to our control room.
How to apply for an access permit
First, check which access gate you will need to get permission for, to reach your location: Cheap Street, or Lower Borough Walls. See the table above if you're not sure.
You should apply at least 10 working days before the access is required. Successful applicants will receive a one-off permit to use at an entrance barrier to the restricted zone at the specified time. Depending on the nature of the request, we will aim to process your application within a day.
Before you apply
You will need to give us the following information:
- Your reason for needing access
- The date, time and expected duration of access
- The vehicle registration*
- The driver's name, address and out-of-hours contact details*
- Your name, address and out-of-hours contact details (if different from the driver)
* If you need to change vehicles or drivers for any reason, you must give us as much notice as possible of the new details, or your permit will become invalid, and you won't be able to enter the restricted zone.
Other ways to apply
If you are unable to apply online, you can use any of the following services:
- Information and Advice service at Lewis House, Manvers Street, BA1 1JG
- Call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41
- Email our CCTV control room at citycentresecurity@bathnes.gov.uk
Other restricted streets within the city centre
There are other streets in the city centre which are restricted, including Kingsmead Square and Milsom Street. These areas are not part of the security project, and access regulations and management here will be different.
Temporary changes to the permanent restrictions
If the national or local security risk is assessed by the Police as critical, or there is a planned event which has been assessed as high risk, Traffic Regulation Orders for anti-terrorism purposes may be extended to affect vehicles and users who are normally exempt. This could mean that Blue Badge holders or vehicles normally allowed within the restricted area would also be temporarily excluded. If this does happen, we will communicate this clearly to the public.