We are planning roadworks on the A36 Beckford Road in Bath, between Bathwick Street and Warminster Road, to create a separated cycle lane on the uphill side of the road and improve crossings and side road junctions in this area.
New cycle lane and bus stop
The new separated cycle lane is now open. A new type of bus stop, called a bus stop boarder, has also come into use. This operates by the cycle lane running between the bus stop and the pavement.
Pedestrians have priority at the bus stops and people using the cycle lane must stop to allow bus passengers to get on or off the bus. View a video explainer to see how the new bus stop works.
New continuous footways
Crossing points for pedestrians have also been improved with new continuous footways introduced along the route.
A continuous footway gives people priority over vehicles where side roads join main roads, to improve safety. Kerbs and tactile paving are removed to give the appearance that the pavement continues across the entrance of the side road. There are also ‘give way’ lines to show drivers they have to give way to people crossing.
View our video explainer to see how the new continuous footways work from a side road and main road.
Continuous footways aim to improve visibility and safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents. They reinforce rule 170 of the Highway Code, which states that drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing when turning into or out of side roads.
How we will manage the work
The works will start on the week beginning 12 September 2022 and will be phased, generally working from west to east. Volker Highways will carry out the construction works, operating from Monday to Friday, typically 7.30am to 5pm, with occasional weekend working.
Works will be in footways and carriageways and subject to pedestrian controls, like temporary walkways, to facilitate works and keep all road users safe. On occasion, the works in carriageways may require temporary two-way traffic signals or stop and go controls.
Construction works will not prevent residents, traders or their customers from accessing their premises.
Improvement work steps
Select a topic below to find out more about each step in the improvement project:
The first step will be to remove on-street parking on Beckford Road between Forester Road and Beckford Gardens. This will enable us to reconfigure the road space for the dedicated cycle lane.
This stage of the project will include the following steps:
- Installing a ‘continuous footway’ across the entrance to Forester Road
The following traffic restrictions will be in place:
- We will need to stop vehicle access at the entrance to Forester Road at its junction with Beckford Road for approximately 2 weeks. A temporary traffic diversion will be in place via Beckford Gardens. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
This stage of the project will include the following steps:
- Installing a ‘continuous footway’ across the entrance to Beckford Gardens
The following traffic restrictions will be in place:
- We will need to stop vehicle access at the entrance to Beckford Gardens at its junction with Beckford Road. A temporary traffic diversion will be in place via Forester Road. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
This stage of the project will include the following steps:
- Installing a ‘continuous footway’ across the entrance to Darlington Road
The following traffic restrictions will be in place:
- We will need to restrict vehicle access at the entrance to Darlington Road to one lane. Pedestrian and vehicle access will be maintained throughout the works, but please follow instructions as displayed on traffic signs or by site workers.
This stage of the project will include the following steps:
- Relocating the existing bus stop at the Forester Road junction and reconfiguring it to a ‘bus stop boarder’
- Removing on-street parking on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Darlington Road; this will enable us to reconfigure the road space for the dedicated cycle lane
- Installing cycle lane and separator units between Bathwick Street and Warminster Road
- Undertaking highway drainage improvements
- Removing existing road markings and installing new road markings between Bathwick Street and Warminster Road
The following traffic restrictions will be in place:
- We will need to close Beckford Road, between Bathwick Street and Warminster Road, over four nights for road marking works.
- To minimise disruption. these works will be carried out on the evenings between 24 to 27 October. This will require A36 Beckford Road to be closed to all vehicles between 7pm and 7am and all parked vehicles must be removed.
- Traffic diversions will be signed around Sydney Road and Sydney Place. Residents and businesses will still be able to access their properties and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Traffic marshals will be available on site to assist those requiring access.
- The road closure will only be in place during the works and when signs are in position.
The following temporary bus arrangements will be in place:
- The Forester Road (East) bus stop will be suspended from 12 to 26 October
- For eastbound journeys, please use alternative stops at either Warminster Road (opposite North Road) or Bathwick Street
- For westbound journeys, please use the alternative stop at Darlington Road
If weather permits, we will complete the surfacing of the new continuous footways. We will need to prevent vehicles accessing the following streets, at their junction with Beckford Road, for a short period (up to 3 hours) on the following days :
- Wednesday 9 November: Forester Rd
- Thursday 10 November: Darlington Rd
- Friday 11 November: Beckford Gardens
We will aim to maintain pedestrian access during this period, but there may be a short time when this is not possible. We may need to change the order of works, and when each street will be affected, at short notice. However, we will ensure that vehicle access to Darlington Road is maintained for school drop-off and pick-up times.
Scheme monitoring
We will undertake traffic flow counts and surveys before and after the project is implemented. We will closely monitor how the new bus stops are used and complete an early review.
Contact the project team
For more information, please contact the Project Team by emailing transportation@bathnes.gov.uk or call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41, including out of hours.