Protesters turn 'violent' in new cycle path row

Some protesters reportedly turned violent as they attempted to "storm a council building" amid a row over a new cycle path.

The incident unfolded outside Bath and North East Somerset Council's (Banes) Guildhall as cabinet members met on Thursday to discuss the proposed route in Royal Victoria Park.

Council leader Kevin Guy labelled the protest "a politicised attempt to subvert the democratic process via violence" that was "far from peaceful".

But protester Dave Dixon, who was inside the building, said: "[It was] not really a scuffle, they just shut the doors and that upset a few outside."

A consultation found that 80% (261) of respondents opposed the plans as more than 5,000 people signed a petition urging the council to rethink due to concerns over cost, safety and the loss of parking spaces.

Security workers held the building's doors as protesters tried to force entry, with one guard saying they "tried to storm the building", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The incident was over quickly and the demonstration was otherwise peaceful.

"A few of us wanted to come and sit in the public gallery quietly just to hold the placards," said Dixon, who had entered the hall before the doors were closed.

"I think that the security panicked a little [but] they did a great job and we left nicely through the back door."

However, a Banes spokesperson said a number of people tried to break into the Guildhall, "putting staff at physical risk".

"Our security team is to be commended for the way they handled the situation and we will review our procedures to ensure the continued safety of staff and members," they said.

The project will be funded by the West of England Combined Authority and includes plans for improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, but comes at the expense of about 100 parking spaces.

The cycle path will be installed as a contraflow along a 10mph interior road and will have replica tulips separating cyclists from vehicles.

"It's clearly not wanted when 5,000 people signed the petition," said campaigner Andy Tinner, who is a cyclist and uses the park to run fitness sessions.

"I'm not against cycle lanes, I'm against a contraflow cycle lane going into oncoming traffic in Victoria Park, it's bonkers," he added.

Others have voiced concerns over the cost of the work.

Campaigner Yukteshwar Kumar said: "There's absolutely no reason to waste £2.35m on this project.

"It is not supported by the cyclists, not supported by motorists, not supported by the pedestrians."

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for communications and community, said the park is a much-loved heritage attraction.

"We wanted to put some investment into it to make it more fit for the 21st Century whilst protecting its heritage.

"We want to make [the park] safe and accessible for everybody, for families and maybe as well for people who've got some mobility issues," she added.

Currently there are places in the park where cyclists and pedestrians share paths and Rigby believes the plans will help reduce "tension" between them.

Rigby said that more parking spaces have been added on nearby streets and the Blue Badge spaces have been moved nearer the botanic gardens and the children's play area.

The protest also comes at a time when numerous roadworks are happening simultaneously in Bath have impacted traffic.

"It's grinding the city to a halt," said independent councillor Chris Warren.

"People are beginning to ask 'what the hell is going on?' and it's very hard to give a reply.

"We're being told it's to improve cycling facilities and Bath is [built around] three quarters of a bowl and unless you're a pretty competent and fit cyclist it's just not an option.

"It seems a phenomenal waste of money and upheaval for people who pay their council tax," he added.

Rigby said that the summer heat meant that work could not be done as planned and the council lost "about 40% of the time there," and that requests from utility companies and the need to spend grant funding have created a "perfect storm".

"The good news is, we're getting very close to a point where a lot of these projects are coming to a finish and I think once people see what we've achieved by doing them, hopefully the pain will dissipate when they see the benefit," she added.

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