Four local organisations have joined forces to come up with a plan to introduce a segregated two-way cycle lane for Bath’s congested London Road which, they say, will help regenerate the area.
Roger Houghton – from Transition Bath – says: ‘ This has been designed to complement and, where possible, improve on the Gateway Group design. Almost the entire length of the proposed cycle track uses space reclaimed from the carriageway rather than the footway. Despite this there will be no net loss of parking spaces.
The scheme is believed to satisfy the technical requirements of Manual for Streets 1 and 2. It is the only one of the four schemes under consideration by B&NES that would provide a safe cycle route in both directs and comply with its own targets for increasing cycle numbers for all ages from 8 to 80.
It will also contribute to improving air quality along the route, improve access to and from the centre for local residents and attract additional business for the area’s retailers.’
‘However,’ says Roger, ‘its adoption will require a willingness by B&NES to look to best practice elsewhere for ideas that can revive this neglected area of the city.’
The proposal is the work of Bath Cycling Club, Cyclebath, Transition Bath and Transition Larkhall. You can view it on http://www.thebath.net/londonroad and download copies at http://www.thebath.net/pdfs/NewLondonRoad.pdf
