Bath’s Park & Ride service has been ranked as one of the best in the country.
It is second for satisfaction in the National Highways and Transport Network Satisfaction Survey, the largest survey of local opinion around transport and highways in the UK which analysed results from 111 authorities.
A total of 404,000 surveys were issued, with randomly selected residents from each participating authority receiving a survey in the post. In Bath & North East Somerset, 900 residents responded.
Bath has three Park & Ride sites – Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down – each offering services every 15 minutes throughout the day directly into the city centre.
They have a combined total of 2,806 car parking spaces, which are free for those using the service.
A return fare currently costs £3.60 for adults, with discounts such as group tickets and free journeys for children under 16 when accompanying a paying adult.
The sites help to reduce congestion during key events, such as the Christmas Market, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city.
They also help with ongoing efforts by the council, such as the recently introduced emission-based parking charges, to improve air quality in the city by reducing the number of incoming private vehicles.
Councillor Manda Rigby, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This result is really positive to see, achieving the second highest satisfaction score is a fantastic achievement and I’d like to thank all the residents that took the time to complete the survey, your feedback is very much appreciated.
“Our Park & Ride services are a quick, affordable, easy way into the city and they help to improve air quality and reduce congestion.
“This is especially important during events which bring a surge of visitors to the city.”
Air quality in Bath is continuing to improve in Bath, with the 2022 Annual Clean Air Zone Report noting that compared with 2019, there has been a 26% reduction in annual nitrogen dioxide (NO2).