Construction is due to start this week on a new active travel scheme in the Bath city centre. The new route, which will connect to existing and proposed routes across Bath, will begin on Charles Street before continuing through the city centre via Upper Borough Walls to Pulteney Bridge.
The scheme involves the construction of 300 meters of new cycle paths, eight new crossings and improving 800 metres of pavements, roads and drainage.
Works start on Upper Borough Walls on Monday 9 March, and works across the whole route are expected to finish by the end of 2026.
The route will link to other planned schemes in the city, including the proposed Weston to city centre route, the Bath River Line project, National Cycling Network and the Bath Quays Links scheme which is currently under construction.
Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said:
“This will improve travel options in the city centre for our residents and visitors. Making it easier for people to walk, wheel, and cycle helps cut pollution and reduce car dependency in the city, benefiting everyone’s health.
“This will connect to a number of other schemes as we set out to improve travel options, reduce traffic and create great quality places for residents across Bath and North East Somerset.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Working together with the council, this latest regional investment will cut pollution and give local communities better choices for how to get around. Getting the basics right now by improving our walking and cycling routes here in Bath, and making it safer for everyone with new crossings, will lay the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England. We’ve secured a record £752 million for that next stage from national government. That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other regions, with better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans – as well as active travel and street improvements, as recently set out in our new Transport Vision.”
(Picture: Batgh & North East Somerset Council)
