Drivers are being advised about a new road layout being trialled in Odd Down which aims to improve traffic flow for all vehicles, with the controversial £1m bus lane to be converted for use by all.
Following an extensive evaluation of the Odd Down bus lane last year, Bath & North East Somerset Council is trialling the new layout under an experimental traffic order.
The new layout will see the inside lane used for all traffic towards Bath, with the central lane being used for buses and Park & Ride traffic only.
Local traffic wishing to turn right into Sulis Manor Road will be signed to access the central lane approximately 80 metres from the roundabout entry.
The bus lane on the A367 was introduced in 2009, with funding provided by the Department for Transport.
It was implemented as part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network and the additional lane was part of a package of measures to improve journey times on public transport.
Since then changes to traffic patterns and the impact of future growth in the area have been modelled, with the results showing a new layout will improve flow for all vehicles including buses.
Councillor Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe) cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said: “This trial supports our ongoing commitment to finding ways to tackle congestion and improve journeys for road users – in this case helping bus passengers and users of the Park & Ride.
“We are investing £19m in transport over the next two years to help keep people moving in Bath and North East Somerset.
“The Department for Transport has looked at our proposals to amend the layout and agree that they maintain the key objective of improving bus journey times along the A367 corridor, but also provide quicker access to the Park & Ride site from the south.
“We are pleased that we can now move forward with this beneficial change in layout.”
Since 2014, a campaign to reconfigure the bus lane has been led by Peasedown St John Councillor Karen Walker (Independent).
Karen said: “The council has agreed to improve access to the Odd Down Park & Ride by repositioning the bus lane and opening it up to cars accessing the site.
“This will see the current bus lane, on the left-hand side, primarily used for vehicles going into the city, with the middle-lane prioritised for access to the Park & Ride, St Gregory’s School and the Sulis Meadows housing estate.
“These changes will put this entire stretch of road to better use, and hopefully address some of our huge traffic problems.
“It shouldn’t have taken nine years achieve this result, and 700 yards of concrete should never have cost so much money. But, we’re hoping these changes will make a difference for us all!”
Construction work is due to start on 5th March for two weeks. Most of the alterations should be carried out without significant traffic management and delays to the travelling public will be kept to a minimum.
The majority of works will involve some realignment of kerbs at the roundabout, with two nights of resurfacing and new lining to complete.
The Council is planning to trial the revised arrangement under an experimental traffic regulation order, which can run for a maximum period of 18 months.
During the first six months of this trial period, the public will be able to make representations and express their views on the changed layout by email to [email protected].