LOCALS in Bath, Somerset have hit back at councillors after a six-month trial of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTN) was introduced in the city.
Over 200 LTNs were installed across the UK between 2020 and 2022, and often use wooden planters and bollards to block off roads but still maintaining through-access for bicycles and pedestrians.
In an ironic move though, a number of anonymous locals in the historic city furious with the scheme yesterday blocked the entrance to a car park used by councillors.
The stunt saw the car park at Guildhall – a municipal building currently housing the council chamber for Bath and North East Somerset Council – inaccessible thanks to two large planters.
Images of the revenge stunt show the entrance to Guildhall car park completely blocked by the bulky black planters that have been shoved into place in the middle of the road.
The planters, which overflow with greenery inside, meant the car park was essentially unusable whilst they were in place, with no cars able to enter or exit.
Another image shows a blue Citroen DS stuck after making an attempt to enter the car park only for the driver to find their way blocked.
The locals’ revenge wasn’t long-lived however, with the planters being removed shortly after they were placed, freeing up the car park for use again.
Planters were installed in the city by Bath and North East Somerset Council in November to restrict the movement of cars along certain roads as part of the trial scheme.
A decision about whether to make the changes permanent is expected to come in May when the six-month trial ends.
Many locals have spoken out claiming the scheme makes it difficult for them to navigate the city and a number of others have taken to social media to express their concerns.
The stunt garnered a large amount of attention online from social media users who found the irony of it hilarious.
The images of the revenge stunt were shared yesterday with the caption: “Today someone put some planters across the entrance of the councillors’ free car park at the rear of Bath’s Guildhall.
“While we don’t condone this action, perhaps it gave the councillors a taste of what having an unwanted LTN can feel like. The planters were soon moved.”
The post has since received over 1,800 likes and more than 90 comments from locals who expressed their support for the “direct action” retaliation taken against the local council.
One user said: “Why do councillors let the power go to their heads and ignore what the electorate wants.”
Another added: “I very much approve of ‘direct action’ it’s all that remains when democracy is ignored by an unrepresentative, agenda-obsessed minority.”
A third replied: “It’s different when it’s done to them. They always make sure whatever they do does not affect them.”
A fourth wrote: “You could keep moving them back until they move the ones you want moving – so hypocritical of them.”
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