In response to community feedback, we are proposing a through-traffic restriction on Tennyson Road in Bath, as part of our Liveable Neighbourhoods (LN) programme.
Our proposals aim to remove through traffic from this residential street, keeping this traffic on the main road network, while maintaining vehicle access for residents and visitors. This will make the route safer for residents, children, pedestrians, and cyclists.
In August 2022, we asked whether you supported a trial of a through-traffic restriction at this location and gathered feedback from the community on a preliminary design.
The Liveable Neighbourhoods programme
This is one of four proposals for through-traffic restrictions across Bath and North East Somerset being piloted ahead of wider improvements under the community-led LN programme.
The LN programme aims to improve health and wellbeing through safer, quieter residential streets with better spaces for walking, wheeling and meeting others outside. Not all LN programme improvements will include vehicle restrictions.
Area background
Tennyson Road is a 20mph residential road that provides access to Park Lane near Royal Victoria Park. It also connects to Upper Bristol Road via Cork Street. The carriageway is very narrow at points, only allowing one-way traffic.
Select a topic below to find out more about the challenges on this street, and what residents have told us during our public engagements.
Through traffic due to 'short-cutting'
Residents have highlighted in previous public engagements that commuters often use Tennyson Road and Cork Street to 'queue-jump' traffic at peak times to avoid queues at the A4 Upper Bristol Road/Park Lane junction.
This leads to through traffic on Tennyson Road and Cork Street.
Narrow carriageway width
Although it is a two-way street, Tennyson Road is as narrow as 3.5m in width in places. The recommended minimum width for two-way streets is 5.5m.
Poor pedestrian provision
The existing footway along Tennyson Road and Cork Street is also very narrow, less than the recommended 2m width.
Vehicles are often parked on both sides of the road and the pavement, limiting safe routes for pedestrians, wheelchairs or residents with buggies.
In a public engagement on our LN programme in December 2021, the majority of respondents supported the installation of traffic interventions in the Kingsmead and Lansdown area.
69% of respondents highlighted that through traffic was an issue in the area, while 61% of respondents said that speeding traffic was a concern.
61% of respondents stated that restrictions on through traffic and or HGVs would have the biggest impact to make this area safer.
Our proposals
We are proposing to trial a traffic restriction on Tennyson Road, between Westhall Road and Coronation Road, using a modal filter that stops vehicles passing through. In this case, we are proposing a set of temporary planters.
Residents and visitors with vehicles would still be able to access homes on either side of the restriction. Pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchairs would be able to pass through the modal filter freely and safely.
We also consulted with key stakeholders such as the emergency services, waste and highways as part of this engagement. Their feedback would ensure that all services would be accommodated should there be a decision to proceed.
Select a topic below to read more about where the filter would be located, modal filters, how traffic movements will be amended and how these proposals will benefit the community.
The proposed restriction (temporary planters) would be located between Westhall Road and Coronation Road. Residents and visitors on Tennyson Road and Westhall Road to the east of the restriction would still be able to enter and exit at the Tennyson Road/Park Lane junction.
Those to the west of the restriction would still be able to enter and exit the remainder of Tennyson Road, Cork Street and Coronation Road by using either the Coronation Road/Park Lane junction or the Cork Street/Upper Bristol Road junction. However, drivers would not be able to pass the filter to exit via Tennyson Road.
The location provides adequate space for a vehicle to make a three-point turn on either side of the modal filter if required, as shown in the images below.
Additional waiting restrictions may also be required to preserve the turning area, including double yellow lines and signage. This may lead to some loss of parking.
We would provide advance warning signs to warn motorists that they would not be able to use the area as a through route. We are proposing a ‘new road layout ahead’ sign on a new post at the change from Cork Terrace to Tennyson Road in the west and a ‘no through road except cycles’ and a ‘road ahead closed’ sign on new posts at the junction of Park Lane and Tennyson Road.
We would also provide temporary signs for a limited period.
The introduction of temporary planters as a modal filter would reduce through traffic on Tennyson Road and Cork Street. This will create a safer and more pleasant space for residents, children, pedestrians and cyclists.
The area occupied by the modal filter could be fitted with street furniture to provide a community space for residents, reclaiming the road space as a community hub, should the trial be made permanent.
While there would be some loss of parking in the area to allow for turning vehicles, residents would benefit from fewer passing vehicles and quieter, safer streets.
Along with physical restrictions, we are working with residents – especially where issues have been identified – to reduce reliance on cars where possible, especially for short trips that could be walked or wheeled. This is to help reduce congestion on all roads, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. There are also health, wellbeing and financial benefits for the individual.
Developing liveable neighbourhoods is not all about physical interventions and will rely in part on everyone finding healthier, sustainable ways to do short journeys.
During the trial, we would install temporary planters to restrict through traffic. Should the trial be successful and made permanent, we could use a combination of features such as benches to create an additional community space for local residents.
Residents on Tennyson Road and Westhall Road to the east of the restriction who want to get to the A4 Upper Bristol Road would have to drive via Park Lane.
Access for the emergency and other services would be from either Park Lane, Coronation Road or Cork Street, depending on their destination.
Have your say
In-person engagement
We held an in-person public engagement event on 23 August 2022, where residents could discuss the proposals in more detail with a member of our team.
An online and printed questionnaire was available for people to indicate their support for the proposal with an invitation to leave further comments and suggestions.
Consultation results
The consultation closed on 30 August 2022. The through-traffic restriction on Tennyson Road was not recommended to progress.