Sustainable transport schemes, including improved links between Bath and Bristol and Somer Valley, look set for approval next week as part of a region-wide upgrade plan.
Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) has received £120m grant funding from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) for the schemes, which aim to significantly improve public transport, walking and cycling routes.
This will help to better connect communities and enabling more residents to take the bus, walk, wheel or cycle.
The schemes are:
Bristol to Bath A4 corridor. This will get improved bus priority measures and walking and cycling routes between Bath and Keynsham along with a new transport hub near Keynsham on the A4/A4174.
Somer Valley links to Bristol and Bath. There will be improved sustainable transport links between Somer Valley and Bristol (A37) and Somer Valley and Bath (A367), including new bus priority measures, transport hubs and cycling routes to better connect rural communities with the two cities.
Bath sustainable transport. This scheme will include an improved public transport offer within Bath, including bus priority measures and improvements around the bus station. Walking and cycling improvements will also be made across the city to enhance connectivity, including off road, segregated routes and cycle parking spaces.
Liveable neighbourhoods. This will take in improvements to walking and cycling routes, such as through improved crossings, alongside local enhancements like tree planting, as part of the council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, which is currently being implemented in 15 local communities.
The funding comes from the regional allocation of £540m, which the Department for Transport awarded to the WECA earlier this year as part of a five-year City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement programme (CRSTS).
It will be discussed by a meeting of the B&NES cabinet meeting next Thursday, 10 November.
Deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, Cllr Sarah Warren, pictured, said: “We welcome the substantial allocation of government funding, which will significantly benefit the West of England region and Bath and North East Somerset.
“It will provide an unprecedented opportunity to drive growth, de-carbonisation and productivity through infrastructure investment, which will also help tackle regional inequalities.”
The grant funding will be added to existing council money to create overall spending of around £133m over the next five years for sustainable transport schemes and highways improvements, such as the recent renovation of Cleveland Bridge.
Cllr Warren added: “As part of the council’s journey to net zero priorities, which aims for Bath and North East Somerset to be carbon neutral by 2030, it is imperative that we provide an efficient, reliable and sustainable transport network, particularly in rural communities.
“The CRSTS funding will help us to achieve that by delivering schemes which will enable even more residents to leave their car at home and choose to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport.”
