Taking place from 7am on 3 July until 1am on 4 July at the Rebecca Fountain by Bath Abbey, the vigil will involve members of the public reading aloud the names of thousands of children killed in the conflict. Participants have signed up for 15-minute time slots throughout the day, and a book of mourning will be available for those who wish to leave messages.

The action follows in the footsteps of the Choose Love vigil held outside Parliament in May, during which the names of all 15,613 known Palestinian children killed in Gaza were read out over 18 continuous hours. As organisers said at the time:

“Every single one of those names was someone’s universe.”

Green Party councillors Joanna Wright and Saskia Heijltjes will join local residents in taking part.

Cllr Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group on Bath and North East Somerset Council, said:

“We join this vigil as an act of remembrance and solidarity. Every child’s name represents an unimaginable loss, and every voice raised is a call not to look away. In the face of this horror, our responsibility is to bear witness and demand change.”

The Green Group has consistently called for action from the Council on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In July 2024, a Green-led Peace Motion was passed unanimously, committing Bath & North East Somerset Council to supporting a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, refugee protection and local community solidarity.

However, in May 2025, the Green Group formally requested an update from the Council on implementation of the motion. They expressed concern that, beyond flying the UN flag for one week in September, little progress had been made—and that residents deserved greater transparency and leadership.

Cllr Saskia Heijltjes said:

“This is about human dignity. The vigil allows us to come together, hold space for grief, and renew our commitment to peace. Local people care deeply, and our institutions should reflect that.”

The post Bath community gathers to remember children killed in Gaza appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

The Lambridge Green councillors have now written to all east of Bath residents to update them of the comments made by Cabinet members in recent months. The letter also informed local people about the Freedom of Information (FOI) request that the Greens have carried out on the “extensive consultation” that has been claimed to have been carried out.

Cllr Joanna Wright says “We found out that only 128 residents had responded to the consultation and only 8 of them supported this measure. That doesn’t feel like a fair or meaningful consultation in an area with a population of around 12,000 people.  What’s worse, Lambridge ward councillors were excluded from all consultations and design work behind the scenes.”  

At a public meeting on 29th March 2025, Cllr Manda Rigby, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Highways, spoke with enthusiasm about the council’s commitment to working with the east of Bath residents. She highlighted plans to tackle long-standing issues such as congestion, air quality, and pedestrian safety, promising to bring about meaningful change for the community.

However, just one day later, during a council meeting on 30th March, Cllr Rigby voted against the Green motion calling for a community-led approach to the Liveable Neighbourhood in East Bath. She remarked:

“The Green Party is attempting to circumvent the processes in place… This is a blatant attempt to queue-jump.”

The entire Liberal Democrat group followed suit, voting unanimously to reject the motion. For residents who have been advocating for better consultation and transparency in the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, this vote came as a major disappointment. 

The Green motion, supported by a significant number of local residents, called for an inclusive, community-driven approach to Liveable Neighbourhoods. This rejection has left residents feeling sidelined and disillusioned, as they continue to face ongoing issues such as poor air quality, traffic congestion, and inadequate public transport and active travel infrastructure.

Cllr Joanna Wright, Green group Leader and Councillor for Lambridge, expressed the frustration felt by many in the community:

“The east of Bath is crying out for better transport solutions and a real voice in how things are done. We’ve all heard the concerns about traffic, air quality, and the need for better consultation. Yet, when we try to take meaningful action through motions like ours, it feels like it’s dismissed without a second thought. I still believe there’s room for us to work together on this. The people on the east Bath want to be part of the solution. But it’s hard not to feel like we’re being played at times, with promises made in public and then votes and decisions that don’t match up to those promises.”

The Liberal Democrats’ decision to reject the motion raises serious questions about their commitment to community engagement and their willingness to listen to the people they represent. This comes simultaneously claims by the Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Highways, that:

“We have gone through a very detailed process that has been transparent, involving communities from the start…”

Clearly, while the rhetoric may sound promising, the actions of the Liberal Democrat council don’t seem to match their words. 

Even Cllr Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, acknowledged that the Green motion was proposing something meaningful, stating:

“The motion seeks a strategic, fully-modelled traffic management plan for Bath. Such a plan would provide a useful blueprint for the future.”

However, she also added, “But it is not a magic wand.” This response is cause for residents’ concerns about the council’s lack of real commitment to tackling the issues they face daily.

Residents of East Bath have long been asking for more than just empty promises, they are asking for action. And yet, with this vote, they are being told once again that their concerns don’t matter.While the Green motion may have been rejected, the people on the east Bath still deserve better. 

The post Liveable Neighbourhood Update – Letter Sent to Residents appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

The changes – made as part of Traffic Regulation Order 24-037 – were approved despite a strong written objection from the council’s own Active Travel team, who warned the move runs counter to key council objectives on road safety, public health and climate action.

“It’s deeply disappointing to see more parking created right outside a primary school, flying in the face of what we know about children’s health, air pollution, and the climate emergency,” said Cllr Saskia Heijltjes, speaking on behalf of the BaNES Green Group. “Our officers made it crystal clear: this move undermines everything we’re trying to do to encourage safer, healthier travel.”

The new parking bays will be created on Darlington Road, in front of the school, replacing double yellow and zig-zag ‘keep clear’ markings. Officers noted then zig-zag markings were “universally ignored” and said the space could accommodate two parked cars “in a way that does not impede other access.”

However, the Active Travel Team strongly objected, saying:

“The proposal to remove some zigzags and increase parking spaces outside Bathwick Primary School is counter to everything we are trying to do at the council in terms of encouraging more sustainable, safer, and active travel… We should be doing everything to help encourage schools, pupils and their parents/guardians to reduce car travel directly to school sites and create behaviour change.”

Bathwick St Mary had previously expressed interest in taking part in the council’s new *School Streets* pilot – which aims to reduce traffic and improve safety outside schools – but was not selected for the first phase. In a publicly available report, the school said it wished for “softer measures” such as improved crossings. These have yet to be delivered.

A travel survey conducted at the school in January 2025 showed that while 30% of pupils currently travel to school by car, two-thirds of those said they would prefer to use another mode. Interest in cycling is particularly high: while only 6.6% of pupils currently cycle, over 40% said they would like to.

“We’re facing a childhood health crisis and a climate emergency,” said Cllr Joanna Wright. “A third of primary school children in England are overweight or obese, and transport remains the biggest source of carbon emissions in B&NES. This is not the time to be making it easier to drive to the school gates and goes against everything the B&NES Lib Dem administration have said they are working towards.”

At a B&NES Cabinet meeting in February 2025 it was minuted that:

“Cllr Sarah Warren welcomed the funding that has been provided in the budget for the School Streets initiative. This scheme will reduce traffic in and around schools during drop off and collection times to create a safer environment for children and to encourage active travel to improve health and wellbeing.”

Green councillors are also highlighting that transport decisions are not only a climate issue but a public health one. The B&NES’ Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy prioritises action to “enable and encourage proactive engagement in health-promoting activity at all ages for good quality of life.” Removing space for walking, cycling and safe school access directly undermines this aim and makes it harder for families to make healthy travel choices.

The Greens have been demanding the publication of a School Streets strategy for B&NES including a delivery programme over the next 5 years so that all young people benefit from safe streets on their journey to school. B&NES council needs to remain committed to pushing for a safe, high-quality School Street at every viable primary school across Bath and North East Somerset by 2030. Cllr Joanna Wright says “Why are the Bathwick ward councillors are not actively opposing these requested changes to parking?”

The proposal for new limited waiting bays outside the school was included in a routine annual review of parking restrictions in the area. Ward councillors can request changes, which are then consulted on via public notices placed on lamp posts. No formal objections were received from residents, but the Active Travel Team’s internal objection was noted – and ultimately dismissed – during the final decision-making process.

“When our own Active Travel officers are so strongly opposed, it’s clear something has gone wrong in the process,” said Cllr Saskia Heijltjes. “This decision exposes a real weakness in how we work across departments. If this B&NES Administration is serious about achieving our shared aims – safer streets, healthier children, cleaner air – then council teams must work better together to make those goals a reality.”

The ward councillors for Bathwick are Cllr Toby Simon and Cllr Manda Rigby.

The post Green Councillors Raise Alarm Over New Parking Outside Bathwick St Mary School appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

Bath & North East Somerset Council will carry out the works, which are due to be completed by the end of the summer holidays. The upgrade will feature exciting new equipment including a roundabout, rope trail swings, and pick-up sticks. A redesigned entrance is also part of the project.

The park’s fencing will be repositioned to bring several trees into the play space offering shaded spots ideal for family picnics.

This first phase of improvement works paves the way for the planting of a Sycamore Gap sapling, named the ‘Tree of Care’, which will take place on National Care Day, 21 February 2026.

The ‘Tree of Care’ was named by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Children in Care Team and symbolises both the achievements and the ongoing challenges faced by children in care and care-experienced young people.

Alice Park was chosen as one of 49 locations across the country to receive a ‘Tree of Hope’ sapling, a project spearheaded by the National Trust, announced in November 2024.

Improvement works will run from 7 July through to 24 August, during which time parts of the play area will be temporarily closed to allow for the upgrades.

Alice Park has served as a cherished play space for Bath’s children since it was gifted to the city’s young people in 1937. It remains a popular local destination. The park is held in trust by Bath & North East Somerset Council and overseen by the Alice Park Trust Sub-Committee, under delegation from the Charitable Trust Board.

Councillor Joanna Wright, Chair of the Alice Park Trust, said:

Green Party councillor Joanna Wright, Chair of the Alice Park Trust, said:“Over many years the Alice Park Committee has been working hard to ensure that new play facilities in Alice Park were put in place, as we recognise that the present facilities are very limited. On completion of this first phase, the play area still needs additional work to be delivered to improve the whole of the play area.  Further funds still need to be raised and any contribution that you can make to help us raise £250.000 will be gratefully received. To make a donation for the Alice Park Play Area please go to: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/donate-alice-park-play-project”

The current £125,000 funding package includes £75,000 from the Bath Community Infrastructure Levy, with generous contributions of £25,000 each from the Medlock Trust and Roper Rhodes.

The post Alice Park Play Area Set for Major Upgrades Ahead of 2026 Tree of Care Planting appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

Despite the council previously committing to consult the public on plans for this area, no consultation has taken place, and the latest update quietly confirms the scheme has now been “paused” until the results of other transport projects are known.

Cllr Saskia Heijltjes said:
“This press release from the council is titled ‘Update on Liveable Neighbourhoods proposals for the Pulteney Estate area’, but it doesn’t actually tell residents what’s happening in the Pulteney Estate. The key information is buried in the detail: the scheme has been paused,  with no public consultation and no timeline for when it might resume. This isn’t good enough.”

The update also claims that the through-traffic restriction on Sydney Road and New Sydney Place has created “a quiet active travel route linking the city centre to National Cycle Route 4”. Cllr Saskia Heijltjes disputes this.

“Anyone who cycles in this area knows that this claim doesn’t reflect reality. The route is still fragmented and includes a dangerous section with poor connectivity. This is not the safe, joined-up infrastructure we’ve been promised.”

The Pulteney Estate LN is one of 15 original Liveable Neighbourhoods agreed in the council’s Full Business Case approved by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in September 2024. Of those, only 10 remained earlier this year, following the cancellation of the London Road and Snow Hill LN in February 2025.

All of these schemes are funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which runs only until March 2027. That means any delay to delivery increases the risk that funding will be lost.

This isn’t the first time Green councillors have raised concerns about disconnected planning. Back in December 2024 they called for better integration of the Bath Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Links with other schemes, including LNs to ensure a seamless, connected network. Yet to date, coordination between major projects remains unclear and patchy.

Meanwhile, the M4 to Dorset Coast strategy study, cited as one of the other projects planned to improve active travel and reduce congestion in the area, has no clear timeline for implementation, leaving a question mark over how long residents will be waiting for meaningful change.

“Liveable Neighbourhoods were supposed to be a flagship policy for improving walking, cycling and air quality in our communities,” Cllr Joanna Wright added. “But residents are now seeing delays, cancellations and vague updates. We urgently need transparency, clear communication and genuine progress.”

The post Lack of clarity and delays on Liveable Neighbourhoods leave residents in the dark appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

“Transport is one of the most powerful tools the Council has to cut emissions. It was shocking to see it left out in the first place,” said Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, “We urge residents to speak up for better public transport, safer walking, wheeling and cycling, and serious action to reduce car journeys.”

Others are also raising concerns about how the survey is framed. Instead of focusing on what the Council and key stakeholders — like government, businesses, and developers — should be doing, much of the survey puts the spotlight on individual lifestyle choices.

“The questions are vague and not measurable. People are asked whether they’ve reduced air travel, for example — but how can the Council use that data to shape an effective strategy?”, added Councillor Heijltjes.

There is, however, a space for free-text comments — and that’s where your voice matters most. Residents are being encouraged to use it to highlight what’s missing and push for stronger, more accountable action.

Take the survey here:
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-north-east-somerset-climate-and-nature-survey

Let the Council know that real change means shifting systems — not just individual habits.

The post Have Your Say on Climate and Nature — And Make Sure Transport Gets the Attention It Deserves appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

The application, now under consideration by Bath and North East Somerset Council, outlines plans for the construction of a supermarket with associated car parking, landscaping, and new access for both vehicles and pedestrians. The site lies to the north-east of the Lambridge Training Ground on London Road West — a green and prominent approach to the city that holds significant environmental and visual value.

Community members argue that this development would add further pressure to one of Bath’s busiest roads, create increased congestion, and undermine the viability of local independent businesses. Many are also concerned about the loss of biodiversity and the erosion of one of the last remaining green gateways into the World Heritage city.

“This proposal is not new in spirit — it’s a repeat of what has already been rejected by the community. The site simply isn’t suitable for a development of this scale. It would bring more traffic, threaten small businesses, and permanently damage the natural character of the city’s eastern entrance”, added leader of the BaNES Council Green Group, Cllr Joanna Wright.

The public can view and comment on the application through the council’s planning portal.

The Green councillors are encouraging residents who care about Bath’s future to comment and object online.

The post Lidl Submits New Application for London Road Site — Community Renews Objections appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

Staff in waste and recycling, IT, social care, and passenger transport are among those reportedly being downgraded by up to two pay grades. Unions have described the move as “a kick in the teeth”, pointing out that while some roles will see pay uplifts, others are being financially penalised with little explanation.

Despite union rejection of the proposals, the Council plans to proceed—using a private consultancy firm to reshape pay scales behind closed doors. There has been no public disclosure of the criteria used or the cost of the consultancy itself. Many fear the changes are less about modernisation and more about avoiding potential equal pay claims.

Though B&NES claims the changes reflect its Pay and Reward Policy—built on fairness and equality—the downgrading of essential services during a cost-of-living crisis tells a different story. One council employee said the process feels discriminatory and undemocratic. Another told us that, after taking a pay cut to join BANES, and having years of below inflation pay rises, it’s simply not true that Officers are being paid above the market median. Others have warned that many are now considering leaving their roles altogether.

Oversight of the scheme has also been questioned. The Council’s Employment Committee, which hasn’t met since November 2023, is currently composed only of Liberal Democrat councillors. The next meeting—set for 14 May 2025 during the Council’s “Values Week”—raises further concerns about transparency and timing.

“These changes hurt the very people who keep our council running,” said Green Leader Cllr Joanna Wright. “It’s unjust—and it must be paused and given greater oversight.”

Green Party councillors received numerous emails from B&NES staff expressing deep concern and distress over the programme—many of whom are willing to speak out about redundancies and pay cuts. However, there are probably many more who are too fearful to come forward, reflecting the culture of anxiety this process has created.

In response, the Green councillors wrote to both the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive calling for an immediate pause to the Being Our Best (BOB) scheme. They are also engaging with other political groups who share the view that such a sweeping reform must not proceed without proper scrutiny and a full vote at Council—not just the Employment Committee. A committee that hasn’t met in nearly two years and consists solely of councillors from a single political party is not the appropriate forum to make decisions of such far-reaching consequence.

Meanwhile, questions remain over the sizable cost  being spent on a private consultancy to deliver this programme—money that could have supported stretched services and staff. At a time when redundancies are looming and frontline workers are being financially penalised, the lack of transparency around this expenditure is problematic. Public money should not be dictated by private, unelected consultants, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.

If fairness, accountability, and respect for essential services truly matter to B&NES Council, it must pause this process and open it to proper democratic oversight—before irreversible damage is done.

The post Council’s “Being Our Best” Scheme Criticised for Real-Terms Pay Cuts Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

Instead, parliamentary time was used to pressure the Labour Government into adopting a narrower stance on gender. In response, the Prime Minister made a deeply concerning intervention, announcing a return to a trans-exclusionary definition of “woman” and asserting that “biological sex is a reality” and “the law must reflect that.”

The Green Group recognises that the Government has legal authority in matters of policy and law. However, the group questions the intent and impact of this announcement. Rather than providing clarity, it fuels confusion, division, and harm — particularly for trans and non-binary people, who already face significant discrimination and marginalisation.

There is no ambiguity in our position: trans rights are human rights. The dignity, safety, and identity of trans and non-binary individuals are not up for debate. The Green Party of England and Wales supports a self-identification process for gender recognition and stands firmly in solidarity with the trans community.

The Prime Minister’s actions are not just inconsistent with his past public support for LGBTQ+ rights — such as marching at Pride — they are actively harmful. In the wake of the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, this shift in tone and policy feels especially regressive. It is unacceptable to use minority communities as tools in political culture wars.

These distractions do nothing to improve people’s lives. On the contrary, they heighten fear and exclusion — particularly for LGBTQIA+ people — at a time when compassion and unity are urgently needed.

Democratic institutions exist to protect and empower people, not to deny them their rights or identities. It is a betrayal of democratic principles to weaponise identity in pursuit of political advantage, especially when urgent real-world crises are being ignored.

Politics should be about expanding freedoms, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring that everyone can live safely, freely, and authentically.

Locally, the Greens are calling on Bath and North East Somerset Council to lead with courage and compassion. We are asking what is being done to ensure our area remains safe, inclusive, and welcoming — especially for those now facing increased national hostility. The Council has a responsibility to be clear: human dignity and equality are non-negotiable.

The Green Group reaffirms its full support for trans and non-binary people, and its commitment to building a fairer, kinder, and more inclusive society — here in Bath and North East Somerset, and across the UK.

The post This is Not Just about Public Toilets appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.

The amendment, reportedly being fast-tracked into the Crime and Policing Bill, would introduce life imprisonment for “dangerous cycling” that results in death, and up to five years for serious injury — despite the fact that such offences can already be prosecuted under existing legislation. Critics say the government is responding not to evidence, but to media hysteria and a singular high-profile case.

“It’s not accountability we oppose, it’s hypocrisy,” said leader of the Greens in B&NES Council, Cllr Joanna Wright, “Drivers who kill often receive suspended sentences or no custodial time at all. Yet cyclists, who cause a tiny fraction of road deaths, are being singled out for the harshest possible penalties. This is not justice — it’s scapegoating.”

Statistically, around four pedestrians die in collisions with cyclists annually — a tragedy, but a fraction compared to the hundreds killed by motor vehicles. In most cases involving drivers, the courts issue far more lenient sentences, even when serious negligence is involved. Some drivers who have killed multiple people have received only fines or community service.

Green Cllr Saskia Heijltjes added: “Five people die on UK roads every day, most of these are caused by drivers. All road users should obey the law, but the focus on people cycling is distracting from the real issue of ineffective road traffic laws and not enough safe spaces for walking, wheeling and cycling.

A series of court cases in recent years have laid bare the inconsistency. Drivers who killed while speeding, texting, or driving on bald tyres have walked free — some even receiving the court’s sympathy. By contrast, the cyclist in the Charlie Alliston case was prosecuted, jailed, and subjected to a months-long media campaign demanding harsher laws.

Now, reports suggest the proposed amendment is being pushed personally by the Transport Secretary, who was the MP for the husband of the victim in the Alliston case — raising serious concerns about impartiality in law-making.

Legislation should be based on broad evidence and public interest, not individual tragedies or media pressure. We call on the Justice Secretary to revive their predecessor’s commitment to a full review of all driving offences and penalties — one that includes drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

To legislate in haste, under the weight of sensational headlines, would only further entrench an unjust and unbalanced system.

The post Proposed Law Targeting Cyclists Is Reactionary, Unbalanced and Deeply Unjust appeared first on Bath and NE Somerset Green Party.