WALCOT ST ENHANCEMENT STUDY
CONCLUSION
'Quality management is not simply about achieving an agreed standard or specification but a matter of continual improvement. That approach has perpetuated a situation of accepting solutions which meet only the present standards and has proved consequently to be inadequate.' 40 Years On,Saving Bath. Bath City Council 1985
In conclusion, Walcot Street is definitely a case for the three Rs,or even five:
RECOGNISE the creative potential of Walcot Street.Use it,and profile its major qualities
RESPECT its specialist nature and its knowledge of sustainable systems. Put it on every Bath map and inform all, of its rich architectural,historical and cultural heritage.
REGENERATE all the neglected areas of Walcot Street including the Riverside.Maintain them rigidly and in the long term.
REPAIR its neglected architectural masterpieces which are rapidly deteriorating.
REFLECT on and enjoy all aspects of Walcot Street,the vistas,leisure facilities,hidden gems,the riverside and the public open space at the memorial Chapel. Build up the public realm to offer more places to sit,look,contemplate,experience and enjoy in this unique area of a World Heritage site and promote stewardship.
OVERALL SOLUTIONS Bath is one of only two World Heritage city sites in the UK. The other one is in Scotland.It is extremely important not to loose Walcot Street.Chinks Grylls
NORTHGATE/SOUTHERN END OF WALCOT STREET
1.Replace the conduit in front of St Michael's Church with a new beautiful sculptural/folly/drinking fountain and cycle park area.Open competition.
2.Site artist designed map of Walcot Street at Podium.Printed by Green Sationery Company.
3.Carve street name into Saracens Head public house facade.PRIORITY
4.Work with Hilton Hotel on refurbishment and upgrade Eastern streetscape along Hilton frontage and through Cattlemarket area,where derelict WC block to be demolished.Promote greenery and break up straight lines. PRIORITY
5.Extend footway on Western side of street with best quality pennants. 6.Enforce pedestrian priority at Saracen Street junction. PRIORITY
7.Traffic calm at Saracen Street,reverse traffic flow and improve signage.PRIORITY
8.Promote bold hanging signage + traders.
9.Set up rigid long term maintenance and stewardship + B&NES + residents + traders. PRIORITY
10.Create One Way traffic system for Walcot Street. PRIORITY
CATTLE MARKET/YMCA
1.Draw up strategy for Cattlemarket area long term for archeology and feasibility study.
2.Recommend Artist work with Bath Archeological Trust.
3.Look at results of Cattle Market Vaults survey for any potential .
4.Landscape and design streetscape at Bus Stop/demolished WC area to create public open space with seating,planting and fencing to: a.Enhance Walcot Street b.Promote views to Bathwick and beyond
c.Create space for Market area to extend re art/photography market. PRIORITY
5.Design information boards + map + bus shelter for this area.
6.Remove solid wall when WCs demolished and replace with railings or pierced wall through CattleMarket to Podium Car Park entrance. PRIORITY
7.Remove Bus Stop at YMCA.
8.Promote planting.Trees especially.
9.Raise Lottery and European funding to repair the Cornmarket. PRIORITY
10.Create a Life of Walcot Street museum and learning centre in the Cornmarket from pagan to the present day with a strong emphasis on photography.
11.Decorate hoardings with artworks.Use wall of Cornmarket to project images during Festival.
12.Upgrade neglected landscaping/lighting along exit road to Podium.
13.Replace neglected ground surfacing to Market area .
14.Upgrade neglected storage area for market - rubbish trap at present.
15.More litter bins/well designed. PRIORITY
16.Pedestrian priority at Cattlemarket/Walcot Street junctions x 2 PRIORITY
17.Extend footways to Western side of Walcot Street.
18. Upgrade Riverside walkway + community + artists.Make good carved Vaults signage.Look at Annette Ekhart,landscape architects,recommendations.
19.Set up rigid long term maintenance and stewardship + B&NES + traders + residents. PRIORITY
BEEHIVE YARD to LADYMEAD FOUNTAIN
1.Commission printed artwork from Brian Elwell for Hoardings. PRIORITY
2.Commission Archway and Mixed Media Relief for Beehive Yard entrance.
3.Introduce pedestrian priority surfacing at junction with Walcot Street. PRIORITY
4.Promote Beehive symbol hard working/cooperative and full of goodness.
5.Work + Future Heritage on artist design solutions for all aspects of Beehive Yard development within building budget ie,groundsurface terrace/railings/cycle stands/lighting/signage.Introduce greenery/especially trees. PRIORITY
6.Upgrade and extend Riverside walkway + artists + community.Look at Annette Ekhart's recommendations.
7.Promote riverside access + jetty for canoes/rowing boats and fishing.Encourage excellent landscaping through to Old Orchard.
8.Promote Art/Photography Market idea and Open studios/workshops.
9.Promote Artist Cooperative re studio/workspace + shared resources.
10.Improve and repair Paragon Steps + signage + lighting + artwork. PRIORITY
11.Raise Lottery and European funding for repair and upgrading of Paragon Steps and Ladymead Fountain.Costings from St Blaise Ltd. PRIORITY
12.Extend western footways and lighting and artistic elements to around base of horse trough. PRIORITY
13.Implement quality carved directional signage.
14.Introduce pedestrian crossing point opposite Ladymead Fountain. PRIORITY
15.Keep bollards to a minimum make sure that they are retractable.
16.Install power points/canopy attachments etc into ground surfacing to promote live performance area.
17.Keep bollards to a minimum.Make sure that they are retractable.
18.Encourage street entertainers.Make shopping fun.
19.Reduce unnecessary signage and street clutter.
20.Provide seating and cycle parking in vicinity of Ladymead Fountain and on Eastern side of street.Encourage multi use. PRIORITY
21.Promote greenery/particularly trees.
22.Commission artist input to Paragon Steps soffit and Ladymead Fountain.
23.Work with Cadillacs/food outlets to enhance streetscape.
24.More well designed litter bins.
25.Design noticeboard to go on back of telephone box for street + map.
26.Discourage 'A' board signage.
27.Promote bold and creative hanging signage.
28.Set up rigid long term maintenance and stewardship with B&NES + traders + community.
OLD ORCHARD to the BELL PUBLIC HOUSE
1.Commission Archway at Old Orchard.
2.Promote bold and creative hanging signage down Old Orchard.
3.Introduce pedestrian priority groundsurfacing at the junction of OO with Walcot Street.
4.Promote improved lighting and ground surfacing.
5.Commission gates at bottom of OO + Future Heritage.
6.Set up community planting scheme for Paragon Wall . PRIORITY
7.Encourage training and stewardship on planting project in order to work on and maintain Riverside walk.
8.Reopen closed trough/water feature in Paragon Wall.
9.Set up 'Heads of the Nation' project for festival/Paragon Wall. PRIORITY
10.Set up 'Illuminatus' lighting project for Paragon Wall.
11.More well designed litter bins.
12.Promote partnerships + food + club + pub outlets towards improvements to Walcot Street,maintenance and stewardship. PRIORITY
13.Remove unnecessary street furniture.
14.Extend western side footways.
15.Keep groundsurfacing consistent ie pennants on footways and tarmac in highway.
16.Promote individual and bold hanging signage.
17.Provide pedestrian priority at junctions + Walcot Street.
18. Set up Local History project with Margaret Bartlett and residents at Ladymead House towards Life of Walcot museum,with strong emphasis on photography, and booklets,stickers,posters and map with the Green Stationery Company.
19.Set up rigid long term maintenance and stewardship with B&NES + traders + community.
THE BELL to LONDON ROAD
1.Promote individual and bold hanging signage.
2.More well designed litter bins.
3.Seek Lottery funding to repair and refurbish neglected Village Hall/Mortuary Chapel for community use.To include resources for performance,lighting,landscaping etcetera.
4.Maintain and clear some greenery and plant more if applicable.
5.Install good low energy low level ground sited exterior lighting at Chapel area.
6.Create playground/picnic area and river access at bottom of field for community and visitor use.Open up riverside and build a jetty for fishing ,canoes and rowing boats.Non polluting and create little disturbance to wildlife. PRIORITY
7.Find and site existing carved stone block in Riverwalk.
8.Repair and make good neglected existing steps/handrail and carved stone on riverbank at Chatham Row and extend Riverwalk.Create jetty for fishing/small boats as previous. PRIORITY
9.Introduce Bus Stop at top end of street.
10.Promote consistency in footway surfacing/pennants reclaimed or otherwise.
11.Improve street name signage .Return to carved name in situ.
12.Reflect aspects of trade and encourage embellishment.
13.Set up rigid maintenance and stewardship schedule/minimum 5 years. PRIORITY
14.Set up community project or artist project,project managed by local gallery (6 Chapel Row) to create large sculptural head for triangular POS site at top of London Road/Walcot Street to mark gateway to Walcot Street.( large Roman head of a woman found near here)
OVERALL,OVERALL
1.Celebrate with a new all pedestrian festival Day + Roman theme on Roman Feast day or holiday.
2.Promote Roman
3.Put Walcot Street on all visitor maps of Bath where it is omitted.Create new map with the Green Stationery Company + info from Ladymead House Local History group.
4.Promote and provide reources for sustainable transport systems.
5.Promote sustainable refuse collection systems in Walcot Street.
6.Promote local. Use the skills that the community has.
7.Promote Local Distinctiveness.Celebrate what you have.
8.Maintain variety and vitality of existing community and townscape.
9.Improve and maintain viewpoints for community and visitor benefit,
10.Improve safety for elderly and children at all times.
11. Demand the highest quality groundsurfacing.This is a conservation area in a World Heritage Site.
12.Keep housing and studio/shop/workshop mix and encourage controlled rents and community collectives to maintain some low rent properties.
13.Encourage more planting especially in Beehive Yard and future development areas.
14.Flag up Walcot Street as creative and sustainable area of Bath.Plenty of cultured people and plenty of culture.
15.Extend Fringe Art Bus Tour and support City Trail extension.
16.Extend Streets Ahead project to Walcot Street if possible.
17.Maintain the balance between the built and natural environment.
18.Plan and think in the long term and wholistically for the street.
19.Allow for contrast/diversity and individualism. Walcot Street has been recognised as a prime case for urban enhancement.It fits many of the national directives concerning urban development,
WALCOT STREET ENHANCEMENT PROJECT INDEX
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