Hill is least popular route for cyclists

Despite claims to the contrary at the recent webinar on active travel, B&NES’ traffic survey data is readily available to indicate the number of cyclists who typically use North Road.

On a term-time weekday in November 2018, of approximately 17,500 traffic movements recorded to and from Claverton Down via North Road, Bathwick Hill and Widcombe Hill, North Road accounted for 4,400, of which just 79 were attributed to cyclists.

A simple glance at a map confirms the obvious reason why North Road is the least popular route of choice for cyclists between the city and the University.

No more than 40 cyclists daily in each direction on that route is entirely consistent with a recent statement by the University of Bath that, discouraged by the steep hills around Bath and despite being offered various incentives to encourage more to do so, the number of cyclists to and from the campus has remained stubbornly stable over the years at about 200.

Despite B&NES’ claims to the contrary, the University of Bath has confirmed, at minuted meetings with local residents and councillors, no formal involvement in the choice of, or particular support for, North Road as an active travel route.

Closing North Road to most traffic would cause over 4,000 daily users massive disruption, including those to and from Bath Golf Club and King Edward’s School, as well as the university.

Most will simply divert via Bathwick Hill, extending their journeys, thereby significantly adding to increased congestion and pollution there. 250 bus movements alone per day have been counted on Bathwick Hill during term-time.

When recently questioned on what criteria would define whether the proposed North Road bus gate ‘experiment’ would be deemed a success, B&NES’ written reply was “Success will be measured by the volume of cycles using North Road”. Note - an undefined number.

How many more than the hard core of no more than 40 ‘serious’ cyclists does B&NES expect to be attracted to this little-used hilly route to claim justification for such massive disruption, even temporarily?

Chris Beezley

Bath