• Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Travel
  • Weather
  • Sport
Bath Echo
  • Monday 7th July 2025
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Reviews
  • Letters
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Jobs
  • Awards
Bath Echo

Bath, GB

  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Travel
  • Weather
  • Sport
Home
News Headlines
Politics

Park And Rail Scheme For Bath Shelved By Council

Thursday 27th August 2015 Bath Echo News Team Politics

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share

Plans for a Park & Rail site in Bathampton which were backed by the Government and would have helped ease congestion in Bath have been shelved by B&NES Council.

The project, which would have involved building a new rail-based Park and Ride at the Bathampton railway junction, was touted by the Council’s former Liberal Democrat leadership as the solution to Bath’s traffic problems.

However, Conservative-led Bath & North East Somerset Council have now confirmed that these plans have been shelved, deeming them unviable and overly expensive due to the estimated £34 million cost.

A report published last July criticised the Park & Rail plans, warning that the cost and complexities of the project meant it was unlikely to ever become a reality.

Steve Bradley, the Liberal Democrat who hoped to succeed Don Foster as Bath’s MP, persuaded the Government to support the Park & Rail scheme.

He took Nick Clegg to Bathampton in December to explain Bath’s desperate need for the schemes, and a government announcement soon followed with their backing.

At the time, Nick Clegg said: “I want to make Bath even better, and I believe that these schemes will make a massive difference to the everyday lives of people in and around the city.”

Previous plans for a new Park & Ride to be built to the east of Bath were scrapped by the Lib Dems in 2011.

In September 2014, the Conservatives threw their weight behind plans to reopen Corsham railway station as a way of cutting traffic on the A4 and A36, in addition to a new Park & Ride to the east of the city.

Plans for the new Park & Ride to the east of Bath have now been unveiled, with the public being invited to give their views on the proposed sites.

The new plans form a key part of the Council’s wider strategy to improve transport, tackle congestion and reduce air pollution levels in and around Bath.

The consultation will start on 7th September 2015 and run until early October.

At the end of the consultation, officers will analyse the results, which will be put before councillors in November for a decision.

Once a preferred site has been chosen it will be included in the Placemaking Plan later this year.

An independent review in 2013 found that there were seven potential sites. Three have been deemed viable.

Ben Howlett, MP for Bath commented: “Taking action to get Bath moving was a central part of my election campaign, and is something I have continued to fight for since May. 

“I’m therefore delighted that the Council’s new Conservative leadership is already putting into action our manifesto commitment to deliver this important and long-awaited transport project. 

“An additional park and ride will help alleviate congestion in Bath and help to reduce air pollution.

“The most important thing is for as many residents as possible to get involved in this consultation when it starts.

“This is a major infrastructure project which will benefit residents throughout the city.”

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share
Next article Waitrose Bath To Take On Keynsham In Charity Match
Previous article Bath Music Man Meets His Namesake In Nova Scotia

Related Stories

Midsomer Norton glazing firm wins permission to expand factory
Monday 7th July 2025

Midsomer Norton glazing firm wins permission to expand factory

Lib Dems hail “resounding win” in the Mendip ward by-election
Monday 7th July 2025

Lib Dems hail “resounding win” in the Mendip ward by-election

New bid to turn abandoned public loos in Weston into a house
Friday 4th July 2025

New bid to turn abandoned public loos in Weston into a house

...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow

Top Stories

Popular six-day Keynsham Music Festival draws to a close

Popular six-day Keynsham Music Festival draws to a close

Monday 7th July 2025
Larkhall hit five after early scare against Shepton Mallet

Larkhall hit five after early scare against Shepton Mallet

Monday 7th July 2025
Local man is spared jail after admitting to strangling his partner

Local man is spared jail after admitting to strangling his partner

Monday 7th July 2025
Midsomer Norton glazing firm wins permission to expand factory

Midsomer Norton glazing firm wins permission to expand factory

Monday 7th July 2025
Woman jailed for racial assaults and list of shoplifting offences

Woman jailed for racial assaults and list of shoplifting offences

Monday 7th July 2025
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Travel
  • Weather
  • Sport
  • Back to top
Created by Media Bath - Regulated by IMPRESS

About the Bath Echo | Your City, Your News

We're your local independent newspaper covering news and events across beautiful Bath and the close surrounding villages. We're here to help keep Bathonians in the know about what's going on in their city.

Useful Info

  • House Rules
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Social Media Policy
© Bath Echo 2025. All rights reserved.
Produced by Media Bath Limited