A Green Party councillor is calling for long-overdue improvements to a key access point between Bath’s historic Sydney Gardens and the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath — a popular walking and cycling route used daily by residents and visitors alike.
Currently, the narrow set of steps linking the canal to the park excludes people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters and creates real difficulties for parents with pushchairs and those with bikes. The steps also create a bottleneck, with people often queuing or waiting on either side. While making this entrance accessible was included in the original plans for the £3.4 million Sydney Gardens Restoration Project, it was later dropped due to budget constraints.
Cllr Saskia Heijltjes (Lambridge) said:
“This is a key link in our local active travel network, but it’s completely closed off to anyone who can’t manage stairs. That’s not acceptable in 2025. If we want to be serious about inclusion, we have to fix barriers like this.”
Cllr Toby Simon, Councillor for Bathwick Ward, has suggested that because of the narrowness of the towpath and nearby tunnels, people who rely on wheeled mobility — including wheelchair users and parents with prams — should simply avoid this area altogether.
“That kind of attitude is discriminatory, whether intended or not,” said Cllr Heijltjes. “Public spaces must be designed for everyone, not just those who are able to climb the steps.”
The Local Active Travel and Safety Programme (LATSP) gives ward councillors the opportunity to propose small-scale improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure. Cllr Heijltjes is urging B&NES Council to make inclusive access to Sydney Gardens a priority for the next round of LATSP funding.
“Wheeling is just as much a part of active travel as walking and cycling. Whether you’re using a wheelchair, a mobility scooter, or pushing a pram, you deserve safe, convenient access to public spaces. We’ve invested millions restoring this beautiful historic park. Now it’s time to make sure everyone can enjoy it — no matter how they move.”