The Green Party members of B&NES Council are calling for action to address significant flaws in the recently released Active Travel Masterplan (ATM) for Bath and North East Somerset. Despite a substantial investment of £28,468.70 on peer reviews, graphics, mapping, and design by Aecom, the plan fails to offer a coherent strategy to implement an effective active travel network.
While the ATM presents an extensive list of potential routes, it lacks a clear strategy for prioritisation and execution. Consequently, the next step—another costly and time-consuming report—does not address the immediate need for actionable measures. The interactive map used during public consultation is also problematic, failing to display others’ comments and thus limiting transparency. Furthermore, the map includes routes with inclines exceeding 10%, which is impractical for many users.
The plan also neglects critical connections to major transport hubs, such as bus and train stations in Bath. Existing paths, including the towpaths and the National Cycle Network 4, are deemed unsuitable for the proposed Quick Routes due to their narrow width and isolated nature, compromising safety.
There are notable errors in the specifications for Quick Routes. The ATM suggest all river and canal towpaths as well as other shared paths such as the Two Tunnels and Bath to Bristol railway path is designated as ‘Quick Route’ providing people with a continuous cycle speed of 20mph, which would be outright dangerous on a path shared with pedestrians. Additionally, it proposes a minimum width of 1.5 metres “where space permits,” contrary to the latest guidance, which mandates a minimum of 2 metres.
The route connecting Bath City and Bath University is highlighted as a high-priority link, yet the plan fails to address the urgent need for improved access and safety measures. Current proposals for Quiet Routes, such as North Road and Widcombe Hill, involve busy roads with inadequate cycling provisions, placing users at risk.
Moreover, while the ATM outlines multiple routes between Bath and Claverton Down, it lacks costings and timelines for their implementation. The Green Group questions the allocation of parking income and the underspending in other transport areas, suggesting that these funds should be redirected to support sustainable transport projects.
Councillor Joanna Wright, leader of the Green Group, commented, “We have invested heavily in the Active Travel Masterplan, yet it falls short in crucial areas. We must address these deficiencies to ensure the plan is not only comprehensive but also actionable and effective in promoting sustainable travel.”
The Greens urge the council to prioritise and fund actionable steps for the Active Travel Masterplan’s implementation. Transparency and public engagement in the consultation process must be improved, including the visibility of comments on the interactive map. The plan needs revision to align with current cycling standards and safety recommendations. Furthermore, the urgent need for improved active travel routes, particularly those connecting key destinations like Bath University, must be addressed. A review and optimisation of existing funds and resources are essential to support sustainable transport initiatives and rectify issues of overspending and underspending.