Category: Consultations & Engagement

A wide-ranging transport project benefitting much of Bath and North East Somerset, which aims to improve travel choices, has launched its public consultation.

Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to hear from residents and businesses on the Somer Valley Links (SVL) project, an initiative aimed at improving sustainable travel between Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Bath and Bristol through enhanced bus infrastructure and increased opportunities for walking, wheeling, and cycling. 

The public consultation will run from Tuesday 4th February until midnight on Sunday 16th March. 

The SVL project would introduce eight new mobility hubs, significant bus infrastructure improvements including 22 bus stop upgrades and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes. Additionally, the project would bring substantial changes to the walking, wheeling, and cycling network, making sustainable travel more accessible and convenient for all. 

The project covers an area from Whitchurch southwards through Pensford, Clutton, Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney, then moving through the Somer Valley (Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St. John) and northwards towards Bath via Odd Down and A367 Wellsway. 

Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and previously led by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the SVL project is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme. The project aims to provide more travel choices, reduce congestion, connect rural areas to towns and cities, and improve air quality across Bath & North East Somerset. 

Key proposals include: 

• Mobility hubs: Eight new hubs to facilitate seamless switching between transport modes. Find out more about mobility hubs here. 
• Bus infrastructure improvements: Upgrades for 22 bus stops and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes. 
• Walking, wheeling and cycling enhancements: Over 5km of footway improvements, 3km of new footways, more than a kilometre of new cycleways, 25 new pedestrian crossings and eight pedestrian crossing improvements. 

The project went out to consultation in summer 2023, and a full engagement report is available here. The council welcomes feedback from all residents to ensure the scheme meets community needs. 

The Somer Valley Links project would significantly enhance sustainable travel options in our region. By improving bus infrastructure and creating safer, more convenient walking and cycling routes, we are making it easier for residents to choose sustainable modes of transport.

The scheme would see some reallocation of road space, including a small reduction in on-street car parking in some areas. We want to gather as much feedback as possible from the community to ensure its successful delivery.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel

Upcoming consultation events:  

• Temple Cloud Village Hall, Temple Cloud – 24th February (3pm to 7pm) 
• The Hive, Peasedown St John – 26th February (3pm to 7pm) 
• Pensford Memorial Hall, Pensford – 27th February (2pm to 6pm) 
• St Luke’s Church, Wellsway, Bath – 5th March (3pm to 7pm) 
• Trinity Hub, Radstock – 6th March (3pm to 7pm) 

For more information and to participate in the consultation, please visit our website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/SVL 

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is responsible for distributing the UK Government’s City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funds to viable schemes in the region. Its members, including the West of England Mayor and leaders from the Mayoral Combined Authority’s three constituent councils: Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council. 

Press release by Bath & North East Somerset Council.