Slamming the brakes on cars

‘Courage needed’ in radical plans to promote walking and cycling

A package of measures to reduce the dominance of vehicles and make Bath “a connected city fit for the future” is being rolled out.

Cllr Joanna Wright, inset, said she was proposing some of “the most radical changes to transport infrastructure” council leaders had ever seen.

The Liberal Democrats’ flagship “liveable neighbourhoods” policy includes restricting vehicular access to residential neighbour hoods, improvements to walking and cycling, new residents’ parking zones and more charging points for electric vehicles.

Ms Wright, the cabinet member for transport, welcomed “significant support” for the proposals in a consultation answered by 1,600 people.

But she said the council will face tough opposition and will need courage and political will.

She told the cabinet meeting on December 10: “This paper is one of the most radical changes to transport infrastructure and the reorganisation of road space ever presented to cabinet.

“Behaviour change is one of the toughest nuts in politics to crack. Asking all sections of the community to rethink their travel choices is a demanding ask.

“Liveable neighbourhoods are a cost-effective way to reduce the dominance of vehicles in residential areas and help to prioritise active travel.”

A key component of the scheme is low traffic neighbourhoods, groups of streets typically in residential areas that limit through traffic. Residents can still drive and park on their streets and receive deliveries. Due to the pandemic, the consultation was largely conducted online. The majority of respondents were Bath residents aged over 45.

Around four in five supported reducing the dominance of vehicles in busy residential areas. A similar number agreed it may be necessary to restrict throughtraffic on certain streets, and that trade-offs will be needed.

Concerns were raised about traffic being displaced onto main roads, as many are residential and will see their air quality suffer. The council said it will “aim to minimise the long-term displacement of existing traffic onto main roads by increasing capacity for alternative modes on main route corridors, including walking, cycling and public transport”.

A report to the cabinet meeting said: “Many people will enjoy substantial benefits, whilst others may be disadvantaged. If the majority of residents enjoy significant benefits and wider climate change and other relevant objectives are met, then the final political judgement will be easier to make.”

Ms Wright said: “For years the council has tinkered around the edges of community problems with ad hoc traffic calming schemes, the odd bollard and strips of yellow paint. Liveable neighbourhoods, for the first time, address the issues faced by communities in a holistic way.

“This is not going to be easy and many will only be convinced when they see it in operation.”

The cabinet voted to adopt the liveable neighbourhoods strategies. They will be in place for at least six months to allow behaviour change to occur.