This consultation provides the chance for you to have your say on how we deliver sustainable transport into and around Bath, and shape the city’s transport system for the next 10 years.
What we're consulting on and why
The Transport Delivery Action Plan for Bath will identify the transport measures that we are proposing to deliver in the short, medium and long term up to 2030.
Bath attracts large numbers of people from outside of the city each day for leisure, education and work. So, as well as improving connections around the city, the plan will also consider how we can improve transport provision for those travelling into Bath. Check out our key travel fast facts which show the need for these improvements.
This plan will develop over time and provide an opportunity to create better connected, healthier and more sustainable communities for you to live and work in. It will help us tackle some of the biggest challenges we face today as a society; it will address climate emergency, road congestion and inequality whilst improving health, wellbeing and air quality.
Delivering a mass transit system for Bath
Mass transit is a public transport network that provides high capacity, fast, frequent and reliable services which are often separated from other traffic. Mass transit systems can also consist of several different types of transport, with direct links to existing rail and bus services.
The Transport Delivery Action Plan for Bath will include a detailed evidence-based study into what is possible in terms of a mass transit system in Bath, and what would work best for the city. This study will be developed alongside work currently taking place at a regional level to assess a new and ambitious mass transport system that will revolutionise the way we travel around the West of England.
For more details on the West of England mass transit project, go to the WECA website
What we have done so far
Work has already taken place to identify the existing and future transport issues facing Bath which are outlined in the Current and Future Report. We adopted the Liveable Neighbourhood policies in December 2020, and we now want to build on this with the Transport Delivery Plan to identify deliverable transport measures for those who live in, work in or visit Bath.
Why is a plan needed?
Congestion and unreliability are already a major cost to the region, estimated to be equivalent to £300m per year. This figure could likely get worse, as studies undertaken by the Department for Transport suggests a 17% increase in traffic levels by 2050.
More specifically, it is anticipated that there will be a 28% rise in journeys in the West of England, due to the increased numbers of people living and working in the region.
We currently know that 29% of emission in B&NES come from transport, a key factor in poor air quality. By 2036, it is estimated that carbon emissions could rise by a further 22% across the West of England, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather, such as droughts, floods and extreme heat.
Across the UK, it has been estimated that physical inactivity directly contributes to 1 in 6 deaths, costing £7.4bn a year to the economy. Physical activity, like cycling and walking, can help prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression.
Compared to other similar sized cities in the UK, such as Oxford and Cambridge, Bath has high levels of car use, at 39%, with significantly lower levels of cycling, at 4%. However, unlike driving, cycling saves a third of road space, helping reduce congestion.
The 2017 Bike Life survey found 78% of residents in participating cities supported building more protected cycle lanes on roads, even when this could mean less space for other vehicles.
In the UK more than nine out of 10 children live within 15 minutes of a primary school on foot or by public transport. Three quarters of children live within a 15-minute cycle of a secondary school.
Who do we want to hear from?
The consultation is open to those who live in, work in, or visit Bath.
Have your say
This consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who has responded. We will now review all of the responses and will publish the results on our website.
Consultation feedback report
The feedback report is now available.
Bath transport delivery action plan consultation feedback report
Bath transport delivery action plan consultation feedback report appendix A
Bath transport delivery action plan consultation feedback report appendix B
Bath transport delivery action plan consultation feedback report appendix C
Next steps
First public consultation
January 2021
Second public consultation
August and September 2021
Publish Transport Delivery Plan
Winter 2021
Looking ahead
Spring 2022 onwards
Further information and additional formats
If you have any questions about this consultation, or if you need any of this information in a paper format, please email transport_planning@bathnes.gov.uk