Cycle access to Bath Spa University has been made safer and more accessible thanks to a new ramp built by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The tarmacked ramp is part of a £420,000 scheme to provide a traffic-free route for cyclists between the Newton St Loe Campus and the Bristol-Bath Railway Path, linking to the city centre.
700 tonnes of stone recycled from the Kelston Road repair work was used for the base, to landscape the route and provide a gentle gradient down to the cycle path.
Signage has been provided at both ends of the ramp to highlight the route with timber wooden fencing along its 247m length.
The land for the cycleway has been dedicated for its new purpose by the landowner, the Duchy of Cornwall, and becomes the responsibility of the Council for maintenance.
The new ramp is the second of a three phase scheme to enable a safe and quick route for cycling between the city centre and Bath Spa University, also linking to Bristol via the Railway Path. In the spring of 2013, the path along the A4 was widened and resurfaced to accommodate cyclists.
The final phase to install crossing for cyclists and pedestrians to safely navigate the dual carriageway section of the A4 Bristol Road, near the Globe roundabout, is currently underway.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib-Dem, Newbridge), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The Council’s Getting Around Bath Transport strategy incorporates measures that promote sustainable transport as a viable alternative to reliance on cars.
“Developing better off-road links for cyclists to get to centres of learning, training and jobs will help people get around more easily while reducing the demand on our busy road network.”
Work on the crossing at the roundabout began in January, with the Council minimising disruption to traffic by working during off-peak times (9.30am – 3.30pm) wherever possible.