Christmas Market update
During the Christmas Market the operational times of the city centre bollards will be changed to make sure the sites footprint is safe.
Cheap Street, Upper Borough Walls, Lower Borough Walls and Hot Bath Street bollards will be closed between 10am and 9pm, Wednesday 27th November, and then between 9am and 9pm, Thursday 28 November to Sunday 15 December.
York Street bollards will be closed 24/7 with managed access by event security, with no access between 9am and 10pm, Wednesday 27 November to Sunday 15 December. If you have any questions about access during those times, please contact Christmas_market@bathnes.gov.uk.
You can view all road closures associated with the Christmas Market here (as of 5 November).
Use this page to find out everything you need to know about our city centre security improvements:
- When and where changes took place
- How to access the secure zone, if you are exempt from the restrictions
- How to plan your journey or find alternative parking
On 1 January 2022, vehicles were permanently restricted in some streets in central Bath, as part of the Bath City Centre Security scheme. This was to protect the city's most crowded spaces from the risk of vehicle-based terrorist attack.
Works to install permanent bollards began on 20 June 2022, and the first phase was completed in September 2022.
The second phase of works on York Street started on 3 January 2023, and was completed on 12 May 2023. Vehicle access to York Street is restricted between 10am and 10pm.
Installation of sliding security bollards on Cheap Street and Hot Bath Street began on 29 May 2023, and this phase was completed on 9 November 2023. Vehicle access to these streets is restricted between 10am and 6pm.
The next installation at Upper Borough Walls began on 11 September 2023. Initial works were completed in November ahead of the Christmas embargo, prior to the main works starting in January and concluding in May.
The final phase of works began in May 2024 at Lower Borough Walls, and finished in October. Vehicle access to Lower Borough Walls is restricted between 10am and 6pm.
These are permanent anti-terrorism security measures that will protect the public and restrict vehicles in the secure zone.
How we will manage the work
There will be two phases to the installation of the new static and sliding bollards. We will only apply road restrictions when necessary, and pedestrians will have access to the roads at all times.
Advance ducting works
Volker Highways will be carrying out the construction works. They will operate from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with occasional Saturday working. Roads will only be closed when signage and marshals are in place.
Burton Street: 20 June to 1 July 2022 (complete)
Works were on footways only. There were controls such as temporary walkways, to keep people safe while construction went on. Access to businesses for traders and customers was unaffected.
York Street/Terrace Walk: 4 July to 18 July 2022 (complete)
Works were on footways only. There were controls such as temporary walkways, to keep people safe while construction went on. Access to businesses for traders and customers was unaffected.
One bus bay was suspended on Terrace Walk to provide a temporary compound for the contractor's welfare cabins and materials.
Lower Borough Walls, Hot Bath Street, St James Parade, Amery Lane, Wine Street: 18 July to 17 September 2022 (complete)
Works were on footways and in the road. There were controls such as temporary walkways, to keep people safe while construction went on. Access to businesses for traders and customers was unaffected.
We suspended four disabled parking bays and one loading bay on Lower Borough Walls to provide a temporary compound for the contractor's welfare cabins and materials.
Due to confined working areas, there were also traffic restrictions in place between 10am and 6pm for about 3 weeks.
We installed a temporary footway surface along St James Parade. We will be returning next year to re-lay the footway and install additional bollards.
Work to prepare and relocate utilities to allow the installation of the sliding bollard equipment started on 3 January 2023 and completed on 12 May 2023.
Works to install the bollard equipment mostly took place on York Street in the road and footway. Pedestrian access was maintained at all times.
York Street was closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Following the improvement works, it is closed from 10am to 10pm.
Works to install permanent security bollards started on Cheap Street and Hot Bath Street on 29 May 2023 and were completed on 9 November 2023.
Works to install the bollard equipment on Cheap Street mostly took place in the road and footway. Cheap Street was closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pedestrian access was maintained at all times. Following the improvement works, it is closed from 10am to 6pm.
Works to install the bollard equipment on Hot Bath Street mostly took place in the road and footway. A section of Hot Bath Street was closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pedestrian access was diverted to bypass the works safely. Following the improvement works, it is closed from 10am to 6pm.
Works to install permanent security bollards started on Upper Borough Walls on 11 September 2023 and were completed on 20 May 2024.
Works were paused for the Christmas embargo.
Works to install the bollard equipment on Upper Borough Walls took place in the road and footway. Upper Borough Walls was closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pedestrian access was maintained at all times. Following the improvement works, it is closed from 10am to 6pm, except for exempt vehicles.
Works to install permanent security bollards started on Lower Borough Walls in May 2024.
Works were competed in October 2024.
Works to install the bollard equipment took place in the road and footways. Lower Borough Walls was closed to vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pedestrian access was maintained at all times. Following the improvement works, it is closed from 10am to 6pm, except for exempt vehicles.
Access for Blue Badge holders
There should always be access for Blue Badge holders and others who are exempt from secure zone restrictions on Cheap Street, Westgate Street, York Street, Upper Borough Walls and Lower Borough Walls. Please be aware that the access may be through a different entry or exit point.
View or download the Bath city centre parking and access map
Download a high resolution, printable PDF of the map
Apply for a one-off access permit
To apply for a one-off access permit, you need to check if you are eligible for special permission first.
Contact the City Centre Security Team
For more information, please contact the City Centre Security Team by emailing citycentresecurity@bathnes.gov.uk or call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41, including out of hours.