Highways and streetlighting maintenance company VolkerHighways has begun works to install permanent hostile vehicle mitigation infrastructure in Bath city centre’s most crowded streets, on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The anti-terrorism security measures will restrict vehicles in some of the city’s streets, in order to help protect the public during high footfall hours.

The first phase of works involves the installation of static and sliding bollards at York Street, situated close to the famous Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. The bollards have been carefully selected to blend into the street scene, and will restrict access during high footfall hours, between 10am and 10pm. The area will be open to traffic outside of these times.

As the project requires working over cellars and in constrained locations, VolkerHighways will be liaising closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council, residents and business owners to reduce disruption. The team has a dedicated project delivery team which will be available throughout the works to ensure stakeholder engagement and pedestrian access. Skilled traffic management operatives will also be present during working hours to marshal movements between the site and compound.

In addition, VolkerHighways will bring in the expertise of its sister business, VolkerLaser, to provide innovative engineering solutions to suit each location – including working over cellars and diverting utility supplies.

Further phases are expected to be added soon, including Cheap Street, Upper Borough Walls, Lower Borough Walls and Hot Bath Street.

Phase one works are expected to complete in late spring.

Jerry Pert, operations director for VolkerHighways, said: “Residents, visitors and businesses are what make Bath the popular city it is. The hostile vehicle mitigation infrastructure will help to reduce risk of terrorism to these stakeholders, so we can continue to enjoy Bath’s beauty and vibrancy.”

(Picture – VolkerHighways)