Two dozen residents without “ingrained opinions” on transport will help shape plans to improve walking and cycling links from the centre of Bath. 

The Council and the University of Bath have stumped up £30,000 to bring in Britain Thinks to establish an independent citizens’ panel. 

Members will be tasked with determining the most appropriate safe, strategic cycle route to improve between the city centre, the University and the large employment and education sites in Claverton Down. 

The move follows controversial plans to make North Road more bike and pedestrian-friendly that were scrapped last year – but the panel could yet say it is the best route. 

Bath and North East Somerset Council Leader Kevin Guy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The panel will have nothing to do with people with ingrained opinions. Britain Thinks will do a thorough selection process. It’s not abdicating responsibility – it’s about instilling confidence that decisions are made fairly. 

“There’s a feeling that decisions are made behind closed doors by a small clique of people. You can’t get any fairer or more transparent than a citizens’ panel. Allowing residents to help make decisions is democracy in action.”

Councillor Guy said the panel will give advice and the final decision will be signed off by the full Council. If the method proves successful at tackling thorny issues, the authority could use it again in future. 

Britain Thinks will select panel members based on factors including their age, socioeconomic group, housing tenure, ethnicity and disability to achieve a broad representation of the population across Bath and North East Somerset. It will also consider their preferred mode of transport. 

Associate psychology professor Dr Punit Shah from the University of Bath has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the panel. In a video posted by the Bath Conservative Association he said a group of 24 people was “highly unlikely” to be representative of the community and a survey would have been a better way to go.  Despite the challenges he urged people from all backgrounds to get involved, particularly those who would not usually

participate. 

Plans for North Road, the least steep route to the plateau at the uni, included segregated cycle lanes, a bus gate, a new crossing and the removal of on-street parking in Beckford Road. 

Councillors will not sit on the panel but will receive recommendations following its deliberations.

Stephen Sumner, LDRS