Bristol Evening Post, 2 June 2008

Plans to build a bus lane along part of the Bristol to Bath cyclepath have been dealt a fatal blow.

The Evening Post can reveal the councillor in charge of transport, Mark Bradshaw, has decided to oppose any plans for a high-speed bus route along the cyclepath.

The move comes after cabinet member Mr Bradshaw visited Cambridge, which is currently installing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system similar to those proposed for the Bristol area.

see full story

The shortlist for the next round of Cycling Towns (and one Cycling City) is now on the Cycling England website. (13/5/08)

Bristol is on the list, but not Bath! The final announcement is expected on 19 June.

At the last BCC meeting we discussed the use of the proposed rapid transit bus route from Newbridge to Pines Way by cyclists.

Attached is a copy of the current proposals. What do you think?

Please feed back your comments via me or Malcolm

Nigel

Sustrans has come down against the proposals to run a bus route along part of the flagship Bristol - Bath Railway Path from Emmersons Green to Bristol city centre.

See attached press release and response from Sustrans.

This is a different issue to the proposed introduction of a rapid bus route from Newbridge to Pines Way as part of the Bath Package which Bath Cycling Campaign supports. This route will open up a section of the old railway for bus, cycle and pedestrian access and in our opinion will become the chosen route from the existing railway path to central Bath.

I have long been puzzled by the poor signing of the traffic-free Victoria Bridge route across the river - you need binoculars to see the current signs towards the bridge if you are at the Brougham Hayes traffic lights.

I met before Christmas with Stefan Chiffers from the Banes Bath Package scheme. We talked about the planning for a part of the Bath Package and the opportunities for cycling on the new route which will allow cycling from the end of the off-road Bristol-Bath NCN4 route towards the city centre - the attached file shows the route that Banes are currently consulting on. The route will then continue through the Western Riverside development towards Pines Way.

I am writing on behalf of the Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance. We are an alliance of 20+ local mainly Bristol community and environmental groups
(including Sustrans, CTC and Bristol Cycling campaign) who drew up a green manifesto (no airport expansion nor large scale road building) for Greater Bristol. You can see it at http://uk.geocities.com/transportforbristol. We are campaigning for the creation of an Integrated Transport Authority for Greater Bristol to run the bus and local rail network.

The Bath Transportation Package is a £54 million scheme to improve public transport and pedestrian access for all residents and visitors in the City of Bath and the surrounding area.

The Bath Package aims to provide a modern, integrated and easy-to-use public transport systems which seeks to:

• Create a high quality transport system
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Improve accessibility
• Improve road safety
• Improve the quality of life

July 07

These are the cycling projects which BANES is planning for 2007-8.