Bath & North East Somerset Council is asking local people to put forward their views on a new draft transport strategy for Bath.
The strategy Getting around Bath was commissioned by the Council in April 2013, and looks at reducing congestion and allowing people to move around more easily to support the long-term economic strategy for the area.
Its aims are to:
· Support and enable economic growth, competitiveness and jobs
· Promote sustainable mobility
· Widen travel choice
· Widen access to jobs / learning / training
· Improve air quality and health, reducing vehicle carbon emissions
· Safeguard and enhancing the unique historic environment and World Heritage Site status
· Improve the quality of life in the city
Key proposals include: developing a walking/cycling strategy to make Bath the UK’s most walkable city; better management of HGVs in the city; continued expansion of Park and Ride sites and a new location for coaches to park after dropping off visitors in the centre.
Cllr Caroline Roberts (LibDem, Newbridge), Bath & North East Somerset’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Bath is an important World Heritage City – it’s vital that we look after the environment of the city whilst ensuring it’s a great place to live and work.
“This is an exciting time for Bath as we develop plans for the Bath Riverside Enterprise Area which will bring significant housing and jobs. We must get the transport right to allow these developments to work.
“We want people to take a look at the strategy and give us their views – not just people who live in the city, but those that work here and travel to Bath regularly. These will help us develop it further and start to look at more detailed options.”
The Council is organising two public events on:
Monday June 30, BRLSI 6pm to 9pm.
Friday July 11, Guildhall 2pm to 5pm.
Those who attend can find out more about the strategy and ask questions. People who can’t attend but who are interested in this should visit the Council’s web pages – http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/gettingaroundbath – where you can find a copy of the draft strategy along with a questionnaire.
Printed information is available by contacting 01225 394408 or emailing transportation@bathnes.gov.uk
The closing date for views is July 25.
The Council is also organising a workshop for local stakeholders on June 26 at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute on Queen Square. This will be chaired by Sir Peter Hendy, who chairs the Bath Transport Commission, a body established to advise on transport in the city.
All views will be considered and a revised strategy will go to the Council’s Cabinet meeting on September 11.
