Cycle lanes launched in council bid to cut car use

New cycle lanes and bus stops are in operation on Bath’s Upper Bristol Road as part of an active travel scheme.

Bath and North East Somerset Council hopes the initiative, which took effect last Friday, will encourage people to leave their cars at home for short journeys.

Pedestrians have priority at the bus stops and people using the cycle lane must stop to allow bus passengers to get on or off the vehicle.

Crossings for pedestrians have also been improved, with new continuous footways introduced along the route.

A continuous footway is a new means of giving people priority over vehicles where side roads join main roads. Kerbs and tactile paving are removed so that the pavement appears to continue across the entrance of the side road. There are also lines to show drivers they have to give way to people crossing.

Councillor Sarah Warren, the cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, said: “The new cycle lanes, bus stops and continuous footways are an integral part of changing the way we travel around the city and will make walking, wheeling or cycling the obvious choice for shorter journeys.

“We know it will take people time to familiarise themselves with the new ways of moving around, so I’d encourage everyone to watch our video about how the bus stops work and take extra care while we are all getting used to it.

“Ultimately, fewer journeys by vehicle will benefit our health in the long term by improving air quality. Now that this phase of the active travel scheme has been completed we will monitor traffic flow as well as how the new bus stops are being used.”

Road users have been warned that the section of cycle lane opposite Marlborough Lane is not yet open because hoarding for a retirement development is in place on the road. The pedestrian refuge island at the Charlotte Street and Monmouth Place junction will also be completed in the new year.

The council will also notify residents of a date in the new year when drainage works to resolve minor flooding issues in the new cycle lane will be carried out, which will require a section of the lane to be closed temporarily.

■ For more information visit https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/upperbristolroad-works. A video on how the bus stops work is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9zqfmzfdd0.