The entrance to one of Bath’s car parks has won first prize in a national competition for environmental enhancements.

 

Bath & North East Somerset Council carried out the work on the entrance to Charlotte Street car park last summer, to make what is the entrance to both the car park and an infant school into a safe and attractive place.

 

And now the scheme has been named the winner of the Highways category in the national Local Government News Street Design 2004 competition.

 

Before the work was carried out, the pedestrian routes were considered to be confusing, there were too many signs, redundant kiosks and cars parked all over the place.

 

Following thorough consultation and working with all the different users in the area, the design team produced and implemented a simple and modest scheme that works very well and greatly enhances the environmental quality of the area. It includes new and widened footways, repaving in the locally distinctive Bath style, traffic calming, improved lighting, tree planting and seating. 

 

Bath & North East Somerset Council leader Cllr Paul Crossley, said: “Bath & North East Somerset is delighted to have won this award. This is a prime example of different departments within the Council working together. Planning Services led the project and worked closely with many other services within the Council, particularly Transportation, Access & Waste Management, and deserve this recognition of their hard work.”

 

As well as the physical design, the team worked with the school and parents to dissuade people from parking inconsiderately when dropping off or collecting children, and developed a voucher scheme to enable free parking in the car park for short periods. This has greatly alleviated traffic congestion and conflict outside the school gates.

 

A spokesperson for LGN said: “This award aims to reward excellence, highlighting examples of good, innovative design the judges believe other councils should emulate. This scheme, by using space in a visually exciting way and utilising innovative and high quality workmanship, meets the criteria of the awards perfectly.”

 

An awards ceremony will be held in Bath next Wednesday, June 23.

 

For more information call:

Stephen George, Bath & North East Somerset Senior Urban Designer. Tel: (01225) 477524 

 

For comment please contact:

Councillor Paul Crossley, Leader of the Council. Tel: (01225) 477496 Mob: 07980 998802

 

Issued by