Get on the right track.

Followers of the Virtual Museum of Bath will know how keen l am on doing some re-surfacing on an alternative cycle route into the city centre.

The muddy track leading to the canal towpath
The muddy track leading to the canal towpath

It is one used by pedestrians and cyclists and leads off the London Road and onto Grosvenor Bridge Road.

From there you cross the River Avon on the Grosvenor Bridge and pass under the main rail line to London before climbing a track and onto the tow path of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

You can easily come off at various points. My favourite is through Sydney Gardens.

The new cycleway at Batheaston. Click on images to enlarge.
The new cycleway at Batheaston. Click on images to enlarge.

This route does not have a good surface. There is much mud and huge puddles of water.

I happened to pass along Mill Lane towards Bathampton Toll Bridge just recently and was able to look across towards the new route being planned for cyclists from Batheaston with a new bridge over the river and a new track linking through to the canal at Bathampton.

The compact surface of the new cycleway. Is there tarmac still to come?
The compact surface of the new cycleway. Is there tarmac still to come?

I was very taken by the surfacing material being used.

Although it could of course just be a foundation for tarmac to be applied as a final coat.

I am hoping that is not the case and that just such a fine bedded-down and permeable surface could be employed in upgrading my suggested route a little further in.

I am anxious it does not intrude too much on the natural state of things but – at the same time – eradicate mud and standing water.