The B&NES Green Group is calling on the University of Bath to deliver “bold, ambitious measures on sustainable transport” in its new Travel Plan, which is currently out for consultation and to extend the consultation deadline that has been poorly advertised.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor, says the group, has rightly said that “reducing single car occupancy is essential” and that “staff and students want bold action on climate change”. Greens agree – and say that this is a moment for the University to lead by example.
The current University Travel Plan dates back to 2016 – before the UK’s legal commitments under the Paris Agreement, before Bath’s Clean Air Zone and new active travel infrastructure, and before major new campus developments which have added to traffic pressures.
Recent data from the University shows that:
- 26.8% of people travelling to campus in 2023 were sole drivers – the highest proportion since 2012.
- Only 2.2% travelled by cycle, the lowest proportion since 2012.
- There are now over 19,000 daily trips to and from campus.
- The University provides 2,200 car parking spaces on campus, locking in high levels of car dependency.
Despite this, the draft Travel Plan sets a primary target of only a 16% reduction in two-way car trips by 2030. This falls short of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s own target of a 25% reduction in car journeys by 2030, and is far below the West of England Combined Authority’s target of a 40% reduction in car mileage and trips by 2030.
The Travel Plan also proposes to increase active travel’s mode share to 15% by 2030, from a baseline of 10% – but this target is vague, with no clarity on whether it applies to staff or students, and no detail on how it will be achieved given the absence of a safe cycle route to campus.
Greens also note that while the University has recently offered a park-and-ride service for events at the newly approved rugby stadium, this initiative is not referenced anywhere in the draft Travel Plan, raising concerns that it does not fully reflect current travel management practices.
In addition, the University of Bath is a signatory of the recently launched Civic Agreement for Bath, whose purpose is to strengthen the relationship between universities and the local community, addressing challenges and opportunities collaboratively.
Yet councillors across Bath & North East Somerset were not informed about this live consultation. Greens argue that if the University is serious about the Civic Agreement, it should start by engaging directly with elected representatives to make sure the voice of the local community is heard.
Cllr Joanna Wright, Green councillor for Lambridge, said:
“The University of Bath prides itself on leading sustainability research, hosting several research centres related to sustainability as well as the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, and encouraging young people from across the world to think innovatively. But while the University speaks globally, it is still failing locally.
If the University is serious about climate action, it must work much more closely with the Council to reduce the huge number of car journeys to and from Claverton Down. A safe, direct and well-connected active travel route to campus is long overdue, and without it, staff, students and residents are left with too few alternatives to driving.
This is a chance for the University to show leadership by making sustainable, low-carbon journeys the easy and obvious choice and calling on B&NES Council to deliver the appropriate infrastructure.”
Cllr Saskia Heijltjes, Green councillor for Lambridge, added:
“This Travel Plan must not be a box-ticking exercise. The University has already lost ground by failing to update its plan for almost a decade. Now is the time to recover that ground and show real leadership, not only in research and teaching, but in how it treats our city and its future.
Right now, car parking on campus is heavily subsidised, while no safe active travel route exists, and staff receive only a very small discount on bus travel – and buses are often overcrowded and unreliable. Staff, students and local residents deserve better options than car dependency.
The University should be seizing this opportunity to cut traffic, improve air quality, and work with the Council to invest in public transport and safe active travel routes. That’s what bold climate action really looks like.
The University of Bath are asking that individuals use the link https://uniofbath.questionpro.eu/UoBTravelPlanConsultingTheCommunity by Sunday, 19th October at 9 pm. We would urge all B&NES residents to take part.”
- The University of Bath Travel Plan 2025–2030 consultation is open: https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/the-university-travel-plan-2025-2030/
- Local residents, staff and students can respond via the surveys linked on that page.
