B&NES has added an extra week to a public consultation for people to share their views on the authority’s proposals for walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the city.
The council invited residents, businesses and visitors in mid-October to share their views on the proposed Bath Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Links (BWWCL) scheme.
It is extending the closing date to midnight on Monday 2nd December. More information on the scheme can be found here.
The consultation has received a large number of responses so far and is being extended by a few more days to ensure as many people as possible take part.
Comprising of four routes, BWWCL aims to improve active travel options across Bath, creating more than 6.2km of cycling routes through advisory lanes, dedicated spaces and quiet routes. It will also provide significant walking and wheeling improvements, such as upgraded crossings and more convenient and safer options.
The BWWCL scheme is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) programme, and is designed to connect key areas within Bath through a network of dedicated cycle lanes, advisory routes and improved pedestrian paths.
The four routes included in the scheme are:
Weston to Bath City Centre
Links to Royal United Hospital
Oldfield School to Newbridge Hill
City Centre to Kennet & Avon Canal
BWWCL seeks to rebalance how road space is used across the city by prioritising active modes of transport to reduce congestion and improve air quality. The scheme will bring significant benefits to the community by making it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling, or cycling for their everyday journeys.
Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the consultation to date. While we have received a lot of feedback, we have decided to extend the consultation to Monday 2nd December to give as many people as possible the chance to have their say.
“The scheme proposes changes to the allocation of road space, including a reduction in on-street car parking in some areas, and gathering feedback from the community is paramount to its successful delivery.”
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is responsible for distributing the UK Government’s City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funds to viable schemes in the region. Its members, including the West of England Mayor and leaders from the Mayoral Combined Authority’s three constituent councils: Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council.
The Weston route to the City centre is a great idea – a beautiful walk or cycle ride with a lot of fresh air. For safety reasons, a pedestrian crossing across the road to Royal Avenue at the bottom of Marlborough Buildings would be a good idea, and slow traffic down too.
While creating cycling lanes on roads undoubtedly makes for safer cycling, the plan to create a « contraflow » fast cycling track through Royal Victoria Park from Weston to the obelisk – going right between the children’s play area and the duck ponds, and requiring the removal of 82 parking spaces there – makes no sense. It would be to the detriment of all other park users. Cyclists can already – and do – use the park safely.
The other day I was nearly knocked over by an electric scooter swiping my arm as it whizzed past me down the little path from the start of Royal Crescent into Victoria Park. It just does not work lumping cyclists and pedestrians together. In some ways, bicycles are more dangerous than cars as they cannot go slowly (particularly downhill) and cyclists hate to put their foot down. Very few seem to have bells, so two pedestrians cannot walk along the river towpath chatting in safety. Even in line, it is easy to put a foot round a puddle and be hit by a silent cyclist. In my opinion paths should be for pedestrians and it should be obligatory for bicycles to have bells or polite horns. Also, all electrically motorised vehicles should be on the road (except disabled ones).
By nature, Bath is not well adapted to bicycles as it is too hilly but it is a lovely place for elderly pedestrians, like myself, as residences, parks, shops. doctors, dentists, museums, library and church are all within healthy walking distance – with the occasional bus to carry the shopping up the hill. Please don’t forget us!