8th Apr 2008

Bath to Bristol cycle path remains under threat after Green Party proposal is defeated

An attempt to guarantee a bus-free future for the famous Bristol-Bath railway path has been defeated leaving the popular green route under threat.

"Despite a 1,500-strong demonstration by cyclists, walkers, nature lovers and schoolchildren to highlight the current bus-free status of the route late last month, one of the nation's best used and best known cycle paths remains at risk of being turned into a route for rapid transit buses," said Jon Lucas, Bath Green Party transport spokesperson.

A motion by Green councillor Charlie Bolton to safeguard the path was defeated by Bristol City Council on 1 April.

Jon added: "This decision was no April Fool's joke and leaves this popular green route under threat. The defeat of this motion to safeguard the route followed a late amendment by Labour councillors on Bristol City Council and supported by the Tories will disappoint many people in Bath.

"The Green Party in Bath and Bristol will continue to fight to ensure the path's continue existence."

Chloë Somers, a SW Green Party candidate in the 2009 European Election and Bath resident, took part in the rally to save the path, along with Green Euro candidates Cllr Ricky Knight and Roger Creagh-Osborne.

"This hugely popular amenity is used for 2.4 million journeys a year and there is enormous popular support for putting it beyond the reaches of developers and ill-conceived public transport schemes."

Bath & North East Somerset Green Party

Press officer: Ian Martin

Local party contact: Eric Lucas