About the Association
How We Work
The Widcombe Association has a membership of 425 households and 46 businesses, with 762 members in total. An elected Executive Committee meets monthly and each member has specific responsibilities. Members with useful expertise may be co-opted from time to time. We have also introduced sub-committees, each chaired by an Executive Committee member but with up to four ordinary members to help. For example, our Social Sub-committee organises our many successful social events.
Any points raised by members, as well as local issues such as street cleanliness and residents' parking, are discussed at the monthly committee meetings.
Newsletters are circulated to members to report on activities in April and October. Also at the April Annual General Meeting and the Autumn General Meeting, members enjoy talks given by experts on topics of local interest.
Many of our local businesses are now committed to giving discounts to Widcombe Association members. A full list of businesses that have signed up to this initiative is available in the biannual newsletter, issued to members only. The April 2009 newsletter can be viewed here.
Constitution. You can view the Constitution of the Widcombe Association here.
A representative of the Association attends the Federation of Bath Residents' Associations which, in turn, is a member of the Network of Residents' Associations, a national organisation.
Current Issues
- Rossiter Road campaign and regeneration of Widcombe Parade
- The Two Tunnels Greenway - how it will affect Widcombe and Lyncombe Vale
- The Abbey Cemetery - the WA has spent 2 years cleaning graves and recording monumental inscriptions. Now we need to ensure the ongoing care of this lovely cemetery.
- Safe speeds on Widcombe's roads
- Cleanliness on Widcombe's streets
- Improvement of the pedestrian entry into Widcombe from the City centre by renovating the Halfpenny Bridge, the underpass on Rossiter Rd, and both sides of the railway arches to the east of the gyratory.
- Planning issues – major and local
- Widening the Association's appeal
Some more recent issues have been flagged for action. The major concerns are:
- Parking issues:
- prevention of pavement parking
- proposed changes in parking to be implemented to members' satisfaction, especially on Lyncombe and Widcombe Hills
- Enforcement of regulations to increase in proportion to rise in costs of residents' passes
- Policing issues:
- dealing with beggars, vandalism and graffiti
- speed limit enforcement
- promoting a safer environment after dark
- prevention of cyclists from using pavements and the footbridge
- anti-social behaviour
- Traffic Issues:
- Pedestrian crossings needed on Prior Park Road and across to Widcombe Locks
- Refuge on Pulteney Road at the bottom of Pulteney Gardens
- Fresh and revised implementation of ineffective traffic calming measures
If you wish to comment on any local issues, contact a committee member or put your comment on the Notice Board .
One of Widcombe's jewels: Ralph Allen's Palladian Bridge with Prior Park College (Ralph's former mansion) in the background. For more information, contact The National Trust.