Proposed schemes to improve walking and cycling routes in Bath using £500k of Government funding to encourage more active travel on routes with high bus patronage are the subject of an online event this Thursday (March 4th).

Following the launch of a consultation on the schemes earlier this week, Bath & North East Somerset Council is inviting people who live, work and travel in the areas of the proposed schemes to find out more about the plans and ask questions.

The Council is consulting on two proposals which could see cycling and pedestrian improvements to A4 Upper Bristol Road and from the city centre to Bath University along North Road using Active Travel funding.

An additional improvement scheme from Combe Down to Bath University is also being consulted on. This is funded separately from the Council’s Transport Improvement programme.

The webinar will be chaired by Councillor Dine Romero, Council Leader, with joint cabinet members for Transport Services, Councillor Joanna Wright and Councillor Neil Butters; cabinet member for Public Health, Rob Appleyard and joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, David Wood. The panel will also include senior staff from the Council’s transport team.

The event will take place on March 4th at 5pm on Zoom. People can register in advance or watch later on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Councillor Joanna Wright said: “The schemes we are proposing are designed to reduce our reliance on car use for local journeys and make it easier for us to choose walking or cycling instead. As well as encouraging sustainable travel, they will help us reach our air quality and climate emergency goals in the long term and support public health. It’s important that we hear the views of people who live, work and travel in these areas to help shape the proposals. This webinar will take you through the schemes with an opportunity at the end to ask questions of the panel, so please join us.”

The consultation runs until 21st March.

Active Travel schemes are separate from the Council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. Liveable Neighbourhoods will be developed in close collaboration with local people and will follow the approach agreed by the cabinet in December 2020, following public consultation. Ward Councillors have been asked to identify local issues that can be addressed through the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme and put forward expressions of interest.