Proposed improvements to transform Widcombe Parade, Bath into a more pleasant, safe environment for people on foot and cyclists are to be displayed by the Council this Saturday.
The display on 30th November will show the scheme for the A36 Rossiter Road which takes through traffic, including HGV’s, away from Widcombe Parade. As a result, significant improvements can be made to the public realm on Widcombe Parade that will support trade to thrive.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib-Dem, Newbridge), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The Council has worked closely with the Widcombe Association and traders to create a scheme that will make Widcombe Parade a far more pleasant, safe and welcoming environment for people on foot and cyclists. This will also help traders as people are more likely to shop here as a result.
“What people can expect on Widcombe Parade is low traffic speeds, new crossings, high quality paving materials, improved parking and delivery arrangements together with two-way cycle access on the carriageway eastbound and a contra flow cycle lane to provide two-way cycling as part of a widened footway westbound.
“A landmark tree will also be put in place at the end of the Parade, close to the Halfpenny Bridge. Our timescale for completion is end of 2014. We really hope that people can come and see the proposals on Saturday 30 November at the Natural Theatre Studio, Widcombe Hill opposite St. Matthews Church between 2pm and 7pm.”
Paddy Doyle, Chairman of the Widcombe Association, said: “After more than 30 years of unstinting effort on our part, the Widcombe Association is delighted that final detailed designs are now available for this project.
“The Council have put forward some very attractive proposals that will have huge benefits for all who use Widcombe village centre. I urge everyone who has an interest in improving the environment of the Parade to visit the exhibition and see for themselves what is proposed.”
For those who cannot make the exhibition, the proposals will be on the Council’s website from Friday 29th November – www.bathnes.gov.uk/widcombescheme
Key aspects of the scheme
- Reversing the direction of traffic flow along Widcombe Parade to be one way eastbound;
- New set of traffic signals controlling the junction of Rossiter Road and Pulteney Road, with Pulteney Road accommodating two way traffic;
- Light traffic access to Widcombe Parade, Prior Park Road and Widcombe Hill from a new traffic signal controlled junction at the west end of Widcombe Parade;
- Smaller vehicles, travelling eastbound on Rossiter Road, permitted to make right turn into Lyncombe Hill;
- Double mini roundabout at the junction of Widcombe Parade with Widcombe Hill and Prior Park Road;
- A separate project will see Rossiter Road connected with the wider Bath cycle network.
Following the original consultation in early 2011 with local people, some important changes have been made. These include:
- Vehicles being able to directly access Lyncombe Hill from the west and the east;
- A drop-off for Bath Spa Railway station on Rossiter Road;
- Traffic signal junction to a double mini roundabout at the bottom of Ralph Allen Drive and Widcombe Hill.
