Update on the Lyme Road area
A package of measures for this Liveable Neighbourhood (LN), based on community feedback, has now been shortlisted for inclusion in the full business case (FBC) for the programme.
The purpose of the FBC is to secure funds to develop and install this LN by March 2027 subject to further engagement and detailed designs. A one-way trial in this area was due to start this summer under our pilot programme. This is postponed until we have engaged on the full package of measures proposed in the FBC.
Later in the year, when we have formally secured the necessary funds, we will update this page with details on the proposals and how you can share your views.
The Lyme Road and Charmouth Road area is one of the 15 areas in our community-led Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. The area includes Lyme Gardens and is approximately 1.8 miles from Bath Spa train station.
About the programme
Liveable Neighbourhoods is a community-led programme that aims to improve residential streets and encourage safe, active and more sustainable forms of travel, such as walking, wheeling and cycling.
Typical improvements suggested by communities are:
- Better crossings, footways and cycle lanes to connect homes with shops, schools and community hubs
- Traffic-calming measures to tackle anti-social driving, speeding and inconsiderate parking
- Pleasant places for people to sit and meet others outside
Find out more about LNs and their benefits
Our approach
Our role is to support communities to develop their own LNs, engaging with them at every stage of development. We want to hear from a diverse range of people to ensure the final designs meet everyone’s needs.
Read more about our approach to developing LNs
Development of this LN
- In Autumn 2020, we asked residents across the district how they felt about LNs, and 48 communities then applied to become a LN, via ward councillors.
- In June 2021, we prioritised 15 areas where development of LNs could start (this included the Lyme Road and Charmouth Road area).
- In December 2021, we asked for your feedback on what was good about the area, what transport-related issues you experience, and what improvements would make the most impact.
- In Spring/Summer 2022, we held a series of co-design workshops where residents suggested a range of measures to help (ee Co-design outcomes below).
- In February 2023, following public consultation, we installed a residents parking zone in the Lyme Gardens and Charmouth Road area to help address parking issues. Find out more about the Lyme Gardens and Charmouth Road RPZ
- During 2022/23, we shortlisted residents’ proposals against a range of criteria to be considered in a full business case from Winter 2023/4.
- In Autumn 2023, we announced a proposal to bring forward a trial of a one-way system along Lyme Road ahead of the wider programme (see below).
View our full project development timeline which includes links to the relevant reports.
Please expand the sections below to find out more.
Out of the 1,625 responses submitted as part of our public engagement in December 2021, 46 people commented on the Lyme Road and Charmouth Road area. Below is a summary of what people said:
What is good about the area?
- 38 said 'strong community spirit'
- 24 said 'close to shops and services'
- 24 said ' good public transport links'
What issues are experienced?
- 31 said 'parking'
- 30 said school run traffic'
- 19 said 'through traffic'
- 19 said 'speeding traffic'
- 18 said 'idling vehicles'
- 14 said 'lack of EV charging points'
What measures could improve the area?
- 27 said 'better or more residents parking'
- 21 said 'a restriction on through traffic or HGVs'
- 13 said 'EV charging facilities'
- 10 said 'new or wider footways'
- 10 said 'new or improved cycle lanes'
We held a workshop on 29 June 2022 with residents who expressed an interest during earlier consultations to co-design the Lyme Road and Charmouth Road Liveable Neighbourhood.
At the workshop, attendees took part in a series of exercises to identify what they liked about the area, what could be improved, and what specific measures could help, plotting these on a map of the area.
To see the maps and the longlist of ideas suggested by the community, please view the report below.
Our partner Sustrans is helping to broaden our engagement by involving people in the community with different and seldom-heard voices. During co-design, they visited community groups to gather their feedback.
View the Sustrans workshop report
In August 2022, attendees were invited back to review the outcomes of the workshop and prioritise their ideas, focusing on the original application area. More information on the outcomes will soon be provided below.
Recommendations for design
We have shortlisted the community’s priorities for the Lyme Road and Charmouth Road area against a range of criteria, including costs and practicalities.
When available, you will be able to read the reports on this web page. This will include the prioritisation workshop report, the recommendation criteria, and the recommended shortlist for the LN area.
Trial of one-way system along Lyme Road
Due to strong support during consultation and co-design for one-way traffic along Lyme Road (heading west), we are installing an experimental trial of this measure ahead of the wider programme.
Under the trial, Charmouth Road, Lyme Road (westerly), and Lyme Gardens will become a one-way loop. It will be in place for a minimum of six months from summer 2024, accompanied by an ongoing public consultation.
Find out more about the trial and public consultation
The decision to proceed with the proposed trial was made in February 2024. Use the links below to read the decision notice and the related reports.
- Read the single member decision on Lyme Road
- Read the press release on the decision to proceed with the trial
Further details on the proposal will be sent directly to residents and businesses in the area.
We have secured the early release of funding to run trials ahead of the wider programme. These trials are funded by the UK Government's City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority.
Next steps
We are preparing a full business case (FBC) for the wider LN programme to establish funding priorities. This will be submitted to the West of England Combined Authority in spring 2024. We will engage the public on the overall design for this LN once the FBC has been approved.
Meanwhile, due to strong support for a one-way system along Lyme Road (heading west from Charmouth Road), we are proposing to fast-track this scheme as a trial ahead of the wider programme (see above).
View the project development timeline
Keep informed
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Contact us
If you would like to talk to an advisor, get involved in the LN programme or be kept up to date on future events, email us at LNs@bathnes.gov.uk, or call 01225 39 40 25 (and request a call-back from a team member)
Please also let us know if you need this information in easy-read or an alternative format.