Proposal to introduce Camden bus gate cancelled following concerns

Plans to introduce a bus gate on Camden Road in Bath have been dropped after a local backlash.

Where the proposed bus gate would have begun on Camden Road

Bath & North East Somerset Council had looked at installing a bus gate at the crossroads where Camden Road/Eastbourne Avenue meets Fairfield Road and Tyning Lane, as part of its liveable neighbourhood programme.

But the plan met with local opposition, including from an alliance of 24 residents associations and from Fairfield Park Health Centre which warned it could “severely impact access to and from the surgery”.

Now the council has announced that it is cancelling the plan. In a letter to locals, Councillor Kevin Guy, the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I want to assure you that we are listening closely to the concerns raised by residents and Walcot ward councillors.

“On January 28th, I was presented with a draft plan proposed by consultants and council officers for further public engagement in February.

“After reviewing the plan and consulting with cabinet colleagues and Walcot ward councillors, it became clear that the complexities of the area meant that the draft proposals — while prioritising buses and stopping unwanted cut-through traffic on Camden Road — also meant that traffic challenges would continue in the immediate and wider area.

“As a result, I have decided to stop this specific proposal and instead focus on exploring a broader solution that addresses the traffic concerns across Walcot, Larkhall, and Lambridge.

“The issue of through-traffic avoiding the busy London Road and using residential streets remains a pressing concern for every resident I’ve spoken to.

“I am therefore committed to working with local residents, businesses, and elected members to tackle this complex issue once external funding becomes available.”

He said that the council would “re-engage with the community to develop a wider Liveable Neighbourhood plan over a longer time” to address traffic issues in the east of Bath. But he warned it could be several years until external funding becomes available again.

Bath & North East Somerset Council was granted funding for its liveable neighbourhood programme by the West of England Combined Authority in September 2024, when its full business case was approved.

It planned to spend £9.45 million to bring in 11 schemes. The bus gate was included in the full business case and a public engagement over the plans had been expected to launch later this year.

Councillor Guy said the council remained committed to its liveable neighbourhood policy. He said: “While the aim of addressing the long-standing issue of through traffic in our residential areas is crucial, this process has unfortunately been clouded by misinformation and half-truths intended to cause confusion and concern among residents.

“Liveable neighbourhoods are all about improving our residential streets, making them safer, greener, and more enjoyable places to live.

“We also want to encourage more people to choose public transport, and bus-priority measures (such as bus gates) enable more efficient and reliable services that support bus travel as a viable choice.

“In areas where we have introduced Liveable Neighbourhoods in Bath, residents have seen real benefits, with less traffic, improved walking, cycling, and wheeling routes, and a stronger sense of community.”

Councillor Guy added: “A great deal of misinformation has been spread about this draft scheme, which has caused unnecessary confusion and concern among the community.

“Again, I want to be clear that the aim is to improve our streets and create a safer, more sustainable environment for everyone, but it’s vital that we find a solution that truly reflects the needs of our community.”

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter