I’ve finally got my electric bike back and there is nothing quite like riding anywhere in Bath and not having to feel the burn of climbing hills. Holloway at 25kph. Not a problem. Actually that one hurts as it’s pedal assist but the motor happily takes a 130kg man up Holloway at 15kph with me free wheeling. However I digress.
What it did let me do is explore Weston to Camden and down through Larkhall and back to Locksbrook without worrying about hills. I found an extra fix for the link from Julian Road to Camden via Morford Street that is a lot more comfortable than Brunswick Place and will be updating the Cycle Bath Map shortly.
So why am I writing this?
While exploring the newly re-opened Quays route I came across this build-out:
It’s a pretty decent height and it looks like it’s the retaining wall for those access hatches, however on the plans (pdf) the retaining wall is on the left of the path not in the middle of it:
I’ve raised it with the various people and I think the simplest solution is to ‘build out’ to the river. This thing is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Let’s hope this is fixed, but it definitely is not as per the plans.
It ‘forces’ a very undesirable behaviour by encouraging people cycling at speed along the Quays to swerve onto the down ramp from the upper areas. It’s REALLY BAD and is a lawsuit waiting to happen. It may also go against planning permission.
They missed a trick here!
The Bath Quays documents that are available and particularly the 2014 Feb 26th Update (103 pages) on page 69 has the following two images which seem to have not inspired any of the design of the space in any way:
Let’s build an Amphitheater!
Now I think the Beach will one day happen but I think there is an opportunity with the introduction of the Bath Quays Bridge to build an amazing outdoor Amphitheatre the other side of the bridge, near Green Park, to create a new outdoor venue for the city. This has to happen. These can be amazing community spaces!
This location is crying out for something amazing:
Here’s one I found in Wales that was simply dug out but I suspect Bath could do with something a little bit more impressive.
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Could you explain where this is exactly? Where is this newly opened Quays route?
It was the old river path that has been closed for about 6 months. It’s now a lot wider.
Whatever you do please don’t do the same as the rest of Bath and ignore the needs of the disabled. Bristol built an amphitheatre and then cobbled it making it almost I accessable to wheelchairs.
With the river path running past the lowest section I suspect access would be maintained at that level and at the top level.