Bath Half Marathon news about parking

The Council will be enforcing the parking restrictions for this year’s Nationwide Bath Half Marathon on Sunday March 16.

Now in its 27th year, the Bath Half Marathon is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road races in the UK, and the largest mass-participation sporting event in the city, this year attracting 15,000 registered entrants (40% from the Bath area), and an estimated 10,000 spectators.

Parking suspensions will operate on designated alternative access routes for ambulances and buses in Oldfield Park, Bathwick, Walcot and Newbridge.

Any vehicles remaining parked on designated streets during these hours will be removed. These restrictions will apply to all vehicles (except emergency services and authorised event vehicles) including residents parking permit holders, disabled and pay and display parking. Warning notices will be placed on the affected parking bays and streets before the event.

Arrangements for parking enforcement for the 2008 half marathon have been changed as a result of the detailed review and consultation carried out after each year’s race. This year, enforcement and vehicle removals will be carried out by the Council following the Council’s recent adoption of towaway and clamping powers. Notice to residents has been increased, a formal appeal procedure introduced, and costs for offending motorists will also be increased by the introduction of a £60 fixed penalty notice in addition to the previous removal charge of £105.

So please look out for the routes and to prepare for the restrictions. The Bath Half Marathon is an important date in the fundraising and sporting diary and I am pleased that the Council is able to support it. We would like to thank residents living on the route of the race for their understanding. This year thanks to the pressure from local residents and councillors, the Council is giving people greater advanced notice of the event, and we hope this will help to minimise disruption for as many people as possible and ensure that the day is a success for everyone.

More information about the half marathon road closures can be obtained from the council website at the Bath Half Marathon (www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathhalfmarathon) pages by phoning the race enquiry line on 01225 422255 during working hours – including race day, or by e-mailing traffic@runninghigh.co.uk

For specific advice about disabled people's or carers access during the half marathon please contact the race enquiry line. For further information on race day check out the updated traffic reports on Bath GWR FM radio.

Bath Half Marathon - Palm Sunday, 16th March 2008

We have been contacted by Running High Events Ltd, on behalf of the Bath Half 2008 about the proposed traffic and parking arrangements.

This means parking suspensions in parts of Oldfield Ward to allow for certain roads use as designated bus diversion routes.

The organisers have noted the complaints and problems caused this year in Oldfield Ward regarding the inadequate notice to local residents and they have therefore reviewed the arrangement for the removal of unauthorised vehicles.

It us proposed that in 2008 the notice period for advance warning signs to be erected on all effected parking bays should be increased to 8 weeks before the event, and that notification letters will be provided to all commerical and residential properties on the designated bus and emergency services access routes.

If you have any cooments on the proposals, or suggestions as to how arrangements for the event could be improved, please let us know.

43 Upper Oldfield Park - Resubmission of controversial planning application

Plans have been resubmitted to build a block of flats on Upper Oldfield Park.

Last year permission for the development was refused after more than 150 objections were received from local residents. According to the developer, the new plans show a 33% per cent reduction of the volume of the building above ground level, which is a victory for local residents. The proposed building has been reduced in width, depth and height.

Representing residents

Cllr Shaun McGall who spoke against the original planning application said “If the re-submission of the plans has taken into account the views of the Council’s Development Control Committee, and the general views of the local residents in the vicinity of the site, then hopefully we can get a building designed and approved that will satisfy everyone involved”.

Public Meeting

Local campaign Will Sandry added “Cllr Griffiths, Cllr McGall and I will be attending the public meeting about this proposal on the 12th March 2007 at Hayesfield Upper School. And we hope as many local residents will attend this meeting as possible. We would urge local residents to formally comment on the plans see the link bewlow:

Ward: Widcombe
App Ref: 07/00653/FUL
Registered: 27th February 2007
Expiry Date: 29th May 2007
Location: 43 Upper Oldfield Park, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 3LB
Grid Ref: (E)374098 - (N)164181Proposal: Erection of 13 no residential apartments with parking and shared grounds (Resubmission)
Planning Case Officer: Lewis Cook
Applicant: Margaret Favager, 43 Upper Oldfield Park, Oldfield Park, Bath. BA2 3LB
Agent: Hadfield Associates Architects, The Old Brushworks, 56 Pickwick Road, Corsham, Wilts. SN13 9BX

All representation must arrive no later than the 6th April 2007.

To find out more about this application click here.

43 Upper Oldfield Park - Application REFUSED

On 1st November 2006, Planning permission was refused with 9 Councillors against and 2 Councillors abstenting. AS well as a representative of local residents in Junction Road, both Cllr Shaun McGall and Cllr Ruth Griffiths spoke at the meeting again the application. The application was refused for the reasons given in the officer's advice.

The actual reason for REFUSAL was: "The building, by virtue of its excessive width, scale bulk, depth would have a detrimental impact when viewed from locations around the site and would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. Accordingly, the application is recommended for refusal."

STOP PRESS! 43 Upper Oldfield Park

Oldfield Parkers can now help support the Residents' Group by coming along to the Area A Development Control Committee Meeting at The Guildhall, Bath on 1st November at 5.30pm. The more attendance and support we have at the meeting the better the outcome is likely to be.
Planning Officer recommends REFUSAL: "The building, by virtue of its excessive width, scale bulk, depth would have a detrimental impact when viewed from locations around the site and would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. Accordingly, the application is recommended for refusal."
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