About the Association
How We Work
The Widcombe Association has a membership of 423 households and 43 businesses, with 793 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, now chaired by Brenda Beeton, 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 April 2008 newsletter, issued to members only. It is intended that the newsletters will also be made available later on line. The April 2008 newsletter can now be viewed: click here.
A representative of the Widcombe 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
After a survey of members' opinions, we identified the following key issues:
- Planning issues – major and local
- Rossiter Road campaign and regeneration of Widcombe Parade
- Safe speeds on Widcombe's roads
- Cleanliness on Widcombe's streets
- Widening the Association's appeal
- The Two Tunnels Greenway - how it will affect Widcombe and Lyncombe Vale
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
- Streetscape and Open Space Issues:
- Improve 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.
- Replacement of damaged lamppost at St Thomas à Becket Church
- Update and improve the play area by Widcombe School
If you wish to comment on any local issues, contact a committee member or put your comment on the Notice Board .