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             Review  of  the    Bath  City  Information  System        Streetwise  Audit  of  current  Bath  CIS                                                      Peter  McGrail  Director  September  2016    Streetwise  Orientation  and  Navigation  Systems  Ltd.    89-­‐91  Morrison  Street,  Edinburgh.  EH3  8BU    info@streetwisesystems.com  www.streetwisesystems.com  t;  0131  229  5441    

  75  1. Outside the Railway Station: large monolith It is vital to have wayfinding provision at the exit of the train station as it is a key transport hub and many visitors arrive by rail. The user is first introduced to the heads-up system with this unit; although it is oriented such that north on the unit is only a few degrees from upright (see a). However, the visibility of the unit is poor (see c): many visitors miss it upon exiting the station. The condition of the unit is good. It is worth noting that the “Building of Bath Collection” which appears on all the large monoliths has since rebranded as the “Museum of Bath Architecture”.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

c. View from the Station

  76  2. Newark Street: small monolith This unit has a severe wobble and is permanently slanted at present (see d). It contributes well to the network for onward travel to the east, but is poorly positioned for consultation from the west: there is a bin blocking the path to the monolith (see c). Further, it is often obscured by buses but can be seen from the eastern bus station exit (see e).

a. View looking east b. View looking west

     c. Space between monolith, bin and pillar d. View from Newark Street

     e. View from outside the bus station  

 

  77  3. St James Parade: large monolith This unit is well positioned to engage pedestrians on Southgate Street. The condition of the unit is good. The visibility of this unit is sometimes impaired by buses (even being leant against by some people when queuing for the bus), but otherwise has good sightlines towards it (see c and d).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

     c. View from St James Parade d. View from Southgate Street

     e. View from Southgate Street

   

  78  4. Southgate Place: shop directory southern monolith  This unit is at an important junction, especially for those entering Southgate from the south (i.e. from the bus and train stations). The unit is in good condition, with no fading or discolouration. The same decal has been used on both sides of the unit: only the side seen in (b) is correct for the heads-up system, the other side (a) is confusing for onward progression. This unit is somewhat obscured by the large screen (see c) if you are approaching from the north but, given the other monolith in such close proximity, this does not seem problematic.

a. View looking south-east b. View looking north-west

 c. View approaching from Southgate Place  

 

  79  5. Southgate Place: shop directory northern monolith Again, this is an important junction, especially for those entering Southgate from the north. Similarly to (4), this unit is in good condition. Again, the same decal has been used on both sides with only (a) being correctly oriented. Users observing (b) may be confused.

a. View looking into Southgate Place b. View looking along St Lawrence Street

         

  80  6. Avon Street Car Park: large monolith  It is critical to have good wayfinding provision at transport hubs such as car parks. This unit is well positioned and highly visible from both Corn Street (see d and e) and the exit of the Avon Street Multi-storey car park (see c). However, it can be difficult to see from the far side of the car park, especially if high-sided vehicles are parked (see f). The unit is in good condition.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

     c. View from Car Park Exit d. View approaching from the east

      e. View approaching from the west f. View from far side of Avon Street Car Park  

     

  81  7. Riverside Coach Park: wall-mounted It is vital to have wayfinding provision at this coach park. However, coach park visitors may be routed immediately onto Avon Street (heading left from the view given in c), and subsequently miss the wall-mounted map. The previous wayfinding provision (before the works on Corn Street and Bath Quay) was a freestanding unit by the pedestrian exit to the coach park, leading to the junction with Avon Street. This was more visible to pedestrians on Corn Street; whereas, the current provision is less likely to be spotted by visitors who haven’t arrived by coach (see d). One could question the orientation of the unit, as it may be the visitors’ first interaction with a map of Bath, thus the heads-up system may cause confusion as this instance is east-up (see a). The map is in very good condition.

a. View of wall-mounted map b. View with surrounding street furniture and signage

       c. View from Coach Park Exit d. View of coach park from Corn Street  

     

  82  8. Southgate Street: small monolith This is another important junction, especially for those approaching or leaving the Southgate shopping area. The unit is in good condition. It is positioned in plenty of space and so can be seen from a distance (see c and d), but can also be disguised by crowds for street performance or street vendors.

a. View looking north-west b. View looking south-east

       c. View from Stall Street d. View from Southgate Street

       

  83  9. Henry Street: small monolith This unit is well positioned to catch people progressing from the station towards the centre of Bath. It is in good condition. The heads-up system is clear here as the map is an instance of north-up. The unit is very visible: it has been set well into the thoroughfare, taking advantage of the width of the pavement on this street.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

       c. View from Manvers Street d. View of monolith in-use

       

  84  10. James Street West: large monolith This unit is well positioned at this junction, in plenty of space and in good condition. It is highly visible when approaching from all paths leading into the junction, even when in use (see c, d, and e).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

     c. Views from approaching from James Street West

     e. View from Westgate Buildings  

 

  85  11. Bog Island: small monolith This area is a key drop-off point for visitors thusly this small monolith may be the visitors’ first interaction with a map of Bath. Given the limited scope of the small monoliths, it is hard to use to navigate to attractions that are not featured in this smaller map. The unit is not visible from a distance, disguised by other street furniture (d), especially the phone boxes (e).

a. View looking west b. View looking east

      c. View from top of Pierrepont Street d. View from Parade Gardens

      e. View from Bog Island

 

  86  12. Outside Green Park Station: large monolith The unit is well positioned – vital for visitors navigating from Green Park Station. It is clearly visible from both the exit of Green Park Station (see d) and when approaching from the north (see c).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

       c. View approaching from the north d. View as you exit Green Park Station

       

  87  13. Kingsmead Square: large monolith This monolith is well positioned at a nexus of well-used public space. Although it can be more difficult to identify when the area is crowded, the sightlines towards it are good (see c and d). It is also visible from the Park and Ride bus stop on Westgate Buildings (see e).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

     c. View from Kingsmead Square d. View from Westgate Buildings

     e. View from Westgate Buildings, Park and Ride Bus Stop  

 

  88  14. Stall Street/Cheap Street: large monolith This monolith is well positioned in a busy thoroughfare. Consequently, it is well-used by visitors. The unit has a few streaks marking one side (see a). It is clearly visible (see c).

a. View looking south b. View looking north

       c. View from Westgate Street

   

  89  15. Cheap Street: large monolith This monolith is reasonably positioned, although much of the visitor footfall is through the Abbey Churchyard and Kingston Parade, consequently missing this unit on the northern side of Bath Abbey. Further, the unit cannot be easily seen from the Abbey churchyard and is sometimes obscured by pedestrians (see c).

a. View looking west b. View looking east

       c. View from entrance to Bath Abbey

   

  90  16. Saw Close: small monolith Although it cannot be seen directly from the large monolith at Kingsmead Square (13), this monolith is close by and offers reassurance to visitors heading north. It is situated outside the Theatre Royal and opposite the new casino/hotel development, so is well positioned for the expected additional footfall in this area.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

       c. View from Barton Street/Upper Borough Walls

   

  91  17. Charles Street/New King Street: small monolith  This monolith is vital to direct visitors to the Hershel Museum of Astronomy, which is otherwise difficult to locate. In theory, the unit should help visitors moving between the larger monoliths at Green Park Station (12) and Monmouth Street (19). The unit has quite a severe wobble. It is hard to spot from the other side of the street (see c) as it blends into other street furniture. Additionally, it cannot be seen from the large monolith at Monmouth Street (19) (see d).

a. View looking toward Green Park Station b. View looking Monmouth Street

       c. View of monolith from other side of street d. View from large monolith at Monmouth St/Charles St, to Number 17  

         

  92  18. Grand Parade: large monolith This monolith is well positioned for people coming off the city sightseeing bus, as well as those following the River Avon. The unit is highly visible (see c).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

       c. View from Orange Grove

   

  93  19. Monmouth Street/Charles Street: large monolith  This unit is well positioned for progression towards Charlotte Street Car Park, Queen Square, and Green Park Station. The monolith is rocking considerably, and has some bird excrement on it (see c). This monolith cannot be seen from the smaller monolith at New King Street (17), nor when approaching along Charles Street (see d), but is otherwise highly visible.

a. View looking east b. View looking west

       c. Close-Up of the condition of the monolith d. View from (17)  

         

  94  20. Burton Street: large monolith This unit is well positioned and oriented for visitors traversing north/south. It is highly visible, even when approaching from the east (see c)

a. View looking north b. View looking south

       c. View from Upper Borough Walls

   

  95  21. Pulteney Bridge: small monolith Wayfinding assistance here should be used to encourage visitors to explore Great Pulteney Street and Holburne Museum. As this is a small monolith, the museum is not within the scope of the map. Furthermore, the unit is somewhat hidden away and requires a visitor to cross a confusing street (in terms of traffic direction) for consultation (see c). Close consultation is prevented by A-boards on both sides (see a). When we consulted it, the unit was not adequately clean (see d).

a. View looking south-west b. View looking north-east

           c. View from Grand Parade d. Close up

       

  96  22. Outside the library: large monolith The monolith is highly visible, despite the busyness of the thoroughfare outside Waitrose. It can be seen (just about) from the north end of High Street (see c). Its contribution to the network seems important, as it helps visitors make a decision about further progression at the New Bond Street junction; however, it is not particularly well used. When we consulted it, it had traces of bird faeces (see b).

a. View from Northgate Street b. View looking south

       c. View from traffic island at High Street/Bridge Street

   

  97  23. Barton Street/Queen Square: small monolith This monolith is well positioned, with a clear sightline towards Gay Street (see c). In addition, it is highly visible. The orientation may be deemed odd, as it appears to encourage east-west movement (with an east-up map, see a), rather than north-south movement (towards Royal Crescent or the city centre). a. View looking east b. View looking west

       c. View towards Gay Street, from monolith

   

  98  24. Milsom Street/New Bond Street: small monolith The unit is well positioned for visitors and sufficiently visible (not crowded by other street furniture). It is well oriented for north-south movement.

a. View looking south b. View looking north

      c. View looking down Milsom Street

   

  99  25. Charlotte Street Car Park: large monolith This monolith is positioned well to capture people leaving the Charlotte Street Car Park from the eastern exit. It is highly visible from the eastern section of the car park (see d) but not at all visible from the vast majority of the car park. The position of this monolith is such that it only services those leaving the car park and is only just visible to pedestrians on Charlotte Street (see e).

a. View looking north b. View looking south

         c. View of monolith in use d. View from the nearest exit of the car park  

     e. View from junction leading into Charlotte Street Car Park

  100  26. Old King Street/Gay Street: small monolith This monolith is oriented such that the map is north-up, and so encourages movement north along Gay Street. This location is certainly a decision-making point for visitors, so wayfinding provision here is necessary. Despite its closeness to the Barton Street/Queen Square small monolith (23), it cannot be easily seen from that unit, as it is situated away from Queen Square, further into Old King Street. There is a lot street furniture around this monolith.

a. View looking north

   

  101  27. Hilton Hotel: small monolith This monolith is ideally positioned to catch visitors approaching from the north or south, and well oriented to reassure their movement. It is highly visible, and can be seen when approaching up Walcot Street (see c) and when exiting the Podium Car Park (see d). Despite this, from our observations it is not often consulted.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

      c. View looking up Walcot Street d. View from The Podium Car Park Exit

       

  102  28. Milsom Street: large monolith This large monolith is well placed at the top of Milsom Street, at its junction with George Street. The unit is highly visible – even when pedestrians are passing (see c).

a. View looking south b. View looking north

      c. View looking down Milsom Street, from George Street

   

  103  29. Bartlett Street/George Street: small monolith This monolith is very hard to spot, and almost entirely obscured by other street furniture when approaching from the west (see c and d). From this monolith, you can see the Milsom Street monolith (see a), which is ideal if a visitor requires a larger map. It is well positioned to reveal Bartlett Street (and its collection of independent shops) to visitors – although it does little to actively market Bartlett Street as a visitor destination.

a. View of Milsom St monolith from this one b. View looking south

      c. View along George St, towards Bartlett St d. View of the monolith, looking along George Street towards Bartlett Street

       

  104  30. Outside Holburne Museum: large monolith This monolith is well positioned and highly visible for users approaching from Great Pulteney Street. The proximity of the pedestrian crossing (see c) is ideal for access to the monolith.

a. View looking south-east b. View looking north-west

       c. View from Great Pulteney Street

 

  105  31. Walcot Street: small monolith This unit is well positioned, in plenty of space and clearly visible, even from a distance (see c). It is not situated at a junction, so serves to reinforce existing visitor movement, and legitimise Walcot Street as a destination.

a. View looking north b. View looking south

      c. View looking north, up Walcot Street

   

  106  32. Assembly Rooms: small monolith Although somewhat hidden when approaching from the west, this unit is positioned in plenty of space and is otherwise highly visible (see c and d). The unit stands at a nexus of attractions in the Upper Town: Royal Crescent/The Circus to the west, the Assembly Rooms/Fashion Museum/Bartlett Street to the east, the Museum of Bath at Work to the north, and the city centre to the south. It is a key point at which to provide the visitor with further information.

a. View looking east b. View looking west

      c. View from Bennett Street d. View from Assembly Rooms entrance

       

  107  33. Margaret’s Buildings: small monolith This monolith is well positioned to encourage movement up Margaret’s Buildings (see e). It is oriented such that it is highly visible from Brock Street (see c and d) and has been installed with plenty of space for consultation of either side.

a. View looking east b. View looking west

     c. Looking east (from Brock St) d. Looking west (from Brock St)

     e. View up Margaret’s Buildings