Delivery of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
The West of England Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was adopted in June 2020. It identifies walking and cycling routes that have been prioritised for future investment.
The West of England LCWIP is a significant and exciting first step towards transforming active travel in the region, proposing investment of £411 million over the next 16 years for walking and cycling routes. The aim is to provide high-quality infrastructure to support our transition to a region where walking and cycling are the preferred choice for shorter trips, and support access to public transport.
Within Bath, the LCWIP proposes the creation of several new walking and cycling key routes that enable travel on foot and on bike across the city. The plan proposes the allocation of £105 million to improving 30 local high streets and £306 million for upgrades along 55 continuous cycle routes.
The LCWIP marks the start of more investment in cycling and walking facilities across B&NES and work will continue to develop these first steps into a holistic cycle network for the city. Our wider ambitions for cycling are included in the future projects section below.
Delivery timescales: Plan adopted in 2020, covers the period from 2020 to 2036
Other themes supported:
Bath Quays bridge
Artist's impression of Bath Quays bridge
A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Avon is due to open in 2022, reconnecting the riverside area to the city and providing a direct and viable alternative to the existing routes along the A36 Lower Bristol Road.
The bridge will connect Bath Quays North and South, a new office-led mixed-use development, as well as connecting communities on the south of the river to the city centre. It is the first new crossing over the River Avon in a century. The bridge spans approximately 60m and has a deck width of 4.5m.
The bridge is part-funded by Cycle City Ambition Funding along with investment from the West of England Combined Authority through Local Growth Funding.
Delivery timescales: Short term
Other themes supported:
Loan Bike Scheme
The B&NES loan bike project is funded by the Council and operated by local bikes shops. It allows B&NES residents or people who work in the area to trial a bike for two to four weeks depending on availability. The scheme is intended to encourage people to swap from car to bike, and lets residents try a bike before investing in their own.
The successful scheme has been operating for six years, with post-use feedback over the last 12 months describing the project as very good (82%) or good (17%) whilst 42% of customers report that they will definitely buy a bike as a result of the loan.
The increasing popularity of this project has meant that the fleet is heavily oversubscribed during three seasons of the year (288 bookings in the six months ending October 2021) despite no active promotion for the last three years. During the winter months the bikes are lent to businesses, organisations and schools in B&NES for three months for use as staff pool or commuting bikes.
Between April and September last year the public loan bike project was suspended and all bikes were advertised as being available for key workers whose commuting was disrupted due to coronavirus pandemic. Within seven days all bikes were booked out with notable recipients being the Royal United Hospital, Dorothy House, and Avon Fire and Rescue.
Delivery timescales: Implemented
Other themes supported: