The Council say that they are making excellent progress in overhauling the area’s transport system through the £27 million Bath Transportation Package.
The expansion of Park & Ride facilities at Odd Down is complete and the project at Lansdown is well advanced with completion due in the coming months. Work on ten showcase bus routes, traffic signalling and improved electronic signage continues in line with their plans.
2013 should also see the completion of improvement works to the London Road junction with Morrison’s and on the A36 at the Windsor Bridge junction.
Careful thought has been given by the Council about the most effective way to carry out the third and final Park & Ride expansion at Newbridge. In 2011, the Council decided to remove the Bus Rapid Transit and reduce the expansion by 250 spaces.
The intention was to start the project by partly implementing the existing planning approval for the site. After thorough consideration, the Council has decided that due to the changes made to the proposals a new planning application is required. This will mean that project can continue without further delay.
A legal challenge to their previous intention, which was a possibility, would have almost certainly led to an extremely long delay before construction starts resulting in Bath residents and businesses waiting much longer than necessary for the benefits of the additional spaces.
Therefore, a new planning application for the 250 space expansion of Newbridge together with facilities building and associated highway works will be submitted. Preparation on the new application will start immediately and submitted as soon as possible with a view to starting work on-site in Autumn 2013.
