THE next steps for a wide-ranging transport project benefitting Midsomer Norton, Radstock and the surrounding area have been outlined by Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council.

Following a six-week public consultation in February and March this year, the council received many responses from communities across Bath & North East Somerset providing feedback on the Somer Valley Links (SVL) proposals.

Proposals included new mobility hubs, significant bus infrastructure improvements and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes. There had also been suggestions for substantial changes to the walking, wheeling, and cycling network were proposed with the aim of making sustainable travel more accessible and convenient for all.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has now decided to prioritise the interventions proposed across three phases.

The first of these phases is expected to be delivered during 2026 and will see bus infrastructure improvements and mobility hubs introduced.

The second phase is expected to complement the interventions made in the first phase, although this is if more City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlements funding becomes available.

B&NES council will now pause to consider and review the interventions included in phase three, including proposals on the A367 Wellsway, to determine how they will be developed in the context of the new Local Plan.

As the council need to plan for growth in the area, such as with housing growth, they say that this means their transport strategy for Somer Valley residents is required to be considered in more depth, and therefore they will have a public consultation for their local plan will begin later this year.

Sophie Broadfield, executive director of sustainable communities, said: “We will proceed with the first phase of schemes, with important interventions at locations including Bear Flat, which will see public realm improvements alongside the proposed transport interventions.

“These proposals will see bus journey times reduce and additional safety for pedestrians in the area, such as students attending Beechen Cliff School.

“This is in addition to various other schemes in the area such as Liveable Neighbourhoods, Scholars' Way improvements and on Bloomfield Road which will improve travel options to the south of Bath.”

Somer Valley Links covers a wide area, starting from Whitchurch before heading southwards through Pensford, Clutton, Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney. Then it will be moving through the Somer Valley in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St. John, before then moving northwards into Bath via Odd Down and A367 Wellsway.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is responsible for distributing the UK Government’s City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlements 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.

Those who would like to find out more about the Somer Valley Links project or stay informed on the latest transport developments in the region can do so through the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.