TOP Liberal Democrat councillors in Bath and North East Somerset have called for "more power to shut roads" without facing legal challenges at the party's conference.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled B&NES Council has plans to close several roads to through traffic to make streets safer and more pleasant for cycling and walking as part of its "liveable neighbourhood programme" in the city.

However, one scheme was recently blocked after a legal challenge from locals, who warned it would dangerously increase traffic near children's schools.

Now, top local councillors have told the Liberal Democrat Party Conference: "We need more powers to be able to shut roads without quite so much ability for legal challenge."

In a speech at the conference, council cabinet member Matt McCabe read a message, apparently from deputy council leader Sarah Warren. A short clip of the speech was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by user @landatthebottom.

In the video, Mr McCabe said: “My cabinet member — who is also the deputy leader — for climate emergency has sent me this: ‘Well, there is the aspect of having enough control over where houses go so that we can ensure there are sustainable transport links. We need more powers to be able to shut roads without quite so much ability for legal challenge.

"'We also need real leadership of transport transformation from government. Renewables need planning powers and also grid connections. The reason we can’t cover our park-and-ride with solar panels is because the business case doesn’t stack up — and that’s because of the cost of the grid connection.’”

Bath and North East Somerset Council had planned to install bollards across Winifred’s Lane, at the top of Cavendish Road in Bath, with a “no right turn” sign to stop vehicles turning from Cavendish Road onto Sion Hill. This would divert traffic away from Lansdown Crescent, one of the city’s most expensive streets.

However, locals warned that the plan would funnel cars along Sion Hill Place and Julian Road, passing directly by children’s schools. Over 3,300 people have signed a petition against the proposal, and locals applied for a High Court injunction in August, which the council did not contest, citing "minor technical issues" with the order and the fact that it had missed its slot with contractors.

The council has said it will introduce another order to bring in the scheme and will not consult with the community beforehand.

Mr McCabe and Ms Warren were contacted for comment.