Bath & North East Somerset residents set to benefit from new walking and cycling schemes

Bath & North East Somerset Council has welcomed an announcement that the West of England Combined Authority is to receive a £3m share of a national fund to boost walking and cycling - and has committed to ensuring consultation plans are in place to engage with residents on proposed schemes.

The investment, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) yesterday (Friday 13 November), will see new safe routes for people to walk and cycle safely put in place in 2021, and will be shared across the three unitary authorities including Bath and North East Somerset.

Joint Cabinet member for Transport Services Councillor Joanna Wright said: “We’re pleased that the government have agreed to make this investment, but we will need to look at the details of the exact funding and other arrangements on the table, and their implications both for the specific schemes we take forward and how we engage with residents.”

The council has committed to establishing consultation and monitoring plans on schemes to ensure they support local solutions, contribute to Bath and North East Somerset Council’s wider transport vision and have local support.

Councillor Joanna Wright added: “We will ensure there are  plans in place to meet local concerns and use local knowledge as we progress schemes. Promoting active travel is the  foundation stone of the ambitious transport agenda of this administration, and we will work closely with local communities to deliver this.”

The council will now consider the details of the government’s funding announcement. Further details including next steps will be made available following this.