WALCOT STREET ENHANCEMENT STUDY
WALCOT STREET INTRODUCTION
Walcot Street in the city of Bath is unique.
It supports a way of life in the 21st century which differs it seems, very little from that of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD under Roman occupation.
'The buildings were probably multifunctional acting as workshops, residencies and possibly retail outlets(nothing changes!!) Bath Archeological Trust
Future Heritage Ltd of Bath are building a mixed use development complex on the Beehive Yard site in Walcot Street.They are regenerating an early twentieth century Tramshed and Late Victorian Foundry to create a mix of workshops,studios, flats, offices, a restaurant and community care facility in the Walcot Street/ Roman tradition.
As a result of this development which completes in October 2001, alterations have to be made to the surrounding roads and pavements. The alterations will include the widening of pavements and traffic calming measures to meet the highway safety and planning requirements (Section 106 Agreement)
The area where speed tables are proposed is a relatively wide stretch of road between the Beehive Yard and Old Orchard dominated by the Paragon Wall and featuring a 19th century drinking fountain, horse drinking trough, and steps leading up to the Paragon.
These highway alterations present opportunities to make improvements to this area of Walcot Street, and make the space more attractive to pedestrians, shoppers, visitors, workers and residents.
The following proposal puts forward recommendations on how artists work,ideas and practice could be inputted to enhance this scheme in collaboration with Future Heritage and ways in which this can be progressed to achieve the following objectives:
1. To enhance Walcot Street as a key pedestrian route into Bath city centre.
2. To enhance pedestrian access to the Paragon Steps.
3. To slow the movement of traffic around the entrance to Beehive Yard.
4. To highlight the drinking fountain and horse trough in the space.
5. To create a public space that will attract people to stop, meet, sit, talk, shop etc.
6. To highlight the Paragon Wall as a distinctive feature of the street.
7. To draw pedestrians up the street from the city centre.
8. To enhance the distinctive nature of the street as an area of creative activity, production and sales.
9. To enhance the character of the area in a way that complements the character of the Beehive Yard development.
10.To enhance the local distinctiveness and history of this part of Bath.
Walcot Street is also a major route into Bath. A major route for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and vehicle drivers.
The CI:TE team,whose aim is to prioritise pedestrians,cyclists and public transport, are planning to reduce car speeds in Walcot Street. There will be traffic calming measures (20mph Zones) introduced at both ends of the street as well as the traffic calming in the Beehive Yard to Old Orchard area.
By March 2001,non bus traffic will be restricted at Northgate and no longer able to cross the city centre. This has implications for the whole street and the CI:TE team have funded an overview within this proposal so that the Beehive Yard area is not altered in isolation but rather is seen as part of an overall strategy for Walcot Street,where there will be imminent further alterations to the streetscape in response to :
1. Busgate at Northgate
1. Planned developments at Walcot Yard,
2. Refurbishment at the Hilton Hotel,
3. Demolition of the derelict WC block and
4. 20mph traffic calming zone at London Road junction.
WALCOT IMPROVEMENTS STUDY INDEX