Work on a new route to improve access from Bathampton and Batheaston to Bath city centre for walkers and people who ride bicycles has begun.
The route also provides an alternative to the busy London Road for cyclists travelling to and from that direction.
The £910,000 investment in the new route will allow people to travel to and beyond the existing footpath which currently leads to the A46 to Grosvenor Bridge East, Bath. It will also be connected to National Cycle Route 4.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib-Dem, Newbridge), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The new route provides better access to the city for cyclists and walkers, particularly those from Batheaston and Bathampton. It improves access to thousands of people living north east of Bath to the National Cycle Network.
“Better cycle routes are one of the Council’s methods of increasing sustainable transport use, tackling congestion and improving air quality. More cycle improvement projects are planned, including Seven Dials, which will also encourage people to use bikes for their daily commutes and for leisure.”
Councillor Nigel Roberts (Lib-Dem, Odd Down), Council Cycling Champion, added: “This major scheme is very welcome as it improves the accessibility and convenience for people wanting to come to Bath via bike from the north east of the city.”
The new path will be between the centre of Batheaston and the National Cycle Network 3 consisting of a bridge across the River Avon and a 3 metre wide path following the river across Council owned fields to link to Mill Lane, to Bathampton to join the NCN 4 on the Kennet and Avon canal towpath. Most of the work will be completed this year, with the remainder completed in early 2014.
The money for the project comes from a combination of Council funds and the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and Council that is being used locally to promote the use of key cycling and public transport routes, work with local businesses to develop travel plans to encourage sustainable staff travel, and a better network of cycle parking at businesses.
