A4 (Bristol to Bath) Strategic Corridor Programme
The Bristol to Bath Corridor programme began in April 2021 and proposes new bus, cycling and walking improvements along the A4 corridor between Bristol and Bath. The vision for the programme is to provide:
The programme proposes a fast, reliable, high quality, zero-emission bus service between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Station along the A4. The programme also proposes a continuous, direct, high-quality cycle route between Bristol and Bath which is separated from general traffic and buses.
The Programme also includes proactively applying the community connections concept approach, which seeks to identify improvements that would enable local people to cycle and walk to facilities, families and friends, and to access the new high-frequency bus service along the A4. The latter component proactively ties into the B&NES our ambition for Liveable Neighbourhoods.
Potential infrastructure improvements to support the community connections element could include:
- new biking and pedestrian crossings
- upgrades to existing biking and pedestrian crossings
- new off-road bike tracks
- new on-road bike tracks
- modal filters
Status: Developing
Delivery timescales: Medium-term
Other themes supported:
Better public transport options
Providing for travel on bike and foot
Creating improved places to live and work
Potential scale of carbon impact: Medium
A4 Bath to East Access Improvements Programme
There is a longstanding and increasing need to reduce private car trips into Bath including from the east. This ambition is recognised through this corridor programme, which is included within the B&NES Local Plan and Joint Local Transport Plan 4 (JLTP4) and developed in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority.
The programme seeks to provide the foundation for a number of multi-modal improvements that would provide realistic travel options in terms of access to Bath from the east. In the past, we have assessed the option of Park & Ride to the east, but were unable to progress it as no suitable site could be identified. Included within this programme is the East of Bath Express scheme, which is discussed below, and improvements for those travelling by bike.
East of Bath Express feasibility study
The existing X31 bus service, which currently runs between Bath and Chippenham bus stations, experiences long journey times during the peak period (in excess of one hour). The aim of this feasibility study was to understand and assess the potential for a high frequency, direct Metrobus style service, providing direct links to Bath and Chippenham with bus priority, and with small transport hubs accessible by bike, providing car and bike parking along the corridor.
The East of Bath Express was included as a scheme within the BSIP discussed previously in this report. The feasibility study is due to conclude shortly, and if the study demonstrates that the scheme is feasible, will be continued as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Status: Developing
Delivery timescales: Medium-term
Other themes supported:
Better public transport options
Providing for travel on bike and foot
Creating improved places to live and work
Potential scale of carbon impact: Medium
A367 (Bath to Somer Valley) and A37 (Bristol to Somer Valley) Corridor Studies
These studies have been identified as high priority investment corridors within the recent BSIP submission. Both projects are currently underway and are in the early stages of development. They seek to improve transport links from Somer Valley into both Bath (along the A367) and Bristol (along the A37), with potential bus priority at the following key locations:
- Whitchurch
- Farrington Gurney
- Radstock
- Red Lion roundabout
- Bear Flat
There is also the opportunity to provide bike infrastructure to connect rural communities in Bath, Bristol as well as rural villages to the main corridors. Relating to this, our ambition is to provide transport hubs and/or Liveable Neighbourhoods in:
- Whitchurch
- Farrington Gurney
- Midsomer Norton
- Odd Down
- Radstock (Liveable Neighbourhood only)
- Bear Flat (Liveable Neighbourhood only)
Status: Developing
Delivery timescales: Medium-term
Other themes supported:
Better public transport options
Providing for travel on bike and foot
Creating improved places to live and work
Potential scale of carbon impact: Medium
Inter-urban sustainable transport links
This would build on the A4, A37 and A367 corridor studies by improving connectivity between our main communities. Our district is predominantly rural, and while the majority of the population live in Bath, there is a significant proportion of our population living across the rural areas. As a result, we need to provide sustainable connectivity to these communities.
The project will identify, review, develop and assess proposals to potentially link:
- Midsomer Norton to Keynsham
- Chew Valley to Somer Valley to Peasedown St John
Status: Future
Delivery timescales: Long-term
Other themes supported:
Better public transport options
Providing for travel on bike and foot
Creating improved places to live and work
Potential scale of carbon impact: Medium
Rural connectivity
We recognise that a significant proportion of traffic into Bath is generated from the surrounding rural areas. We will provide an affordable and realistic alternative to cars for people living or working in these areas.
We will consider the following journeys from:
- the north along the A46, the A431 to Kelston and Lansdown Road
- the south along the A367, A36 and B3110
- the west along the A39 and A4; taking account of the other projects along the latter corridor
The primary aim would be to improve bus services along these radial corridors, linking them into the city centre or multi-modal interchange sites so that they become a viable alternative to cars. This aligns with the ambition of both B&NES and the Combined Authority as set out in the BSIP, the Combined Authority’s Bus Strategy, as well as the national guidance including Bus Back Better, the Government's Bus Strategy. This will be a step-change in the provision of services to and from these areas in terms of service directness, frequency and cost.
Our intention is to improve this further by making these improved radial routes more accessible through:
- improvements to biking and walking facilities to access the bus corridors
- delivery of rural mobility hubs that improve connectivity between modes - this could include working hubs to reduce the need to commute into the city itself
- on-demand responsive bus services for smaller communities that are not within walking and cycling distance of transport links
- upgraded bus stops
- provision of e-bikes, e-scooters and other modes of transport
Status: Future
Delivery timescales: Long-term
Other themes supported:
Better public transport options
Providing for travel on bike and foot
Creating improved places to live and work
Potential scale of carbon impact: Medium
What does this mean for me?
Express bus routes along the main roads into Bath serving rural communities, market towns and mobility hubs would provide quick journeys into Bath. The facilities provided at the mobility hubs would provide and promote interchange between different modes of transport, allowing more people to cycle and walk to fast, direct and convenient bus services into Bath.
Demand-responsive bus services would complement the express bus routes and transport hubs by providing for those in smaller communities that are not within walking and cycling distance of transport links.
Improved links and facilities for bike users to access the existing cycle network would enable trips by bike into Bath and to other key destinations.
Local work hubs and 20 minute commutes will offer the workforce greater flexibility in where they work, reducing the need for commuter journeys into Bath, saving both time and money.