Specific Measures for the London Road / Bathwick Street Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)

Through consultation with transport planners in Bath and North East Somerset, local knowledge and an evaluation of the policy documents, six significant packages of measures have been identified as having the most potential to improve air quality along London Road in future

Development of Bath and North East Somerset Demand Management Strategy

The proposed demand management strategy is at an early stage in its development and is likely to include some or all of the following specific measures which have been developed to address the issue of HGV-related emissions in the AQMA:

Provision of a loading bay near Cleveland Bridge in the AQMA - to reduce air quality impacts of congestion associated deliveries.
Demand Management Measures - potential reduction of emissions and congestion via management of HGV movements and deliveries.
Transhipment Depots (to the east and west of Bath) - potential to reduce emissions in the AQMA by introducing small delivey vehicles with pre-specified emission standards.
Potential agreements with freight organisations and large firms whose HGV's regularly pass through the AQMA.
Possible introduction of a Low Emission Zone within and around the AQMA
Freight Quality Partnership will encourage the use of appropriate routes by HGVs and promote the transfer from road to rail.

Development of Showcase Bus Route along the London Road

The aim of the showcase bus routes is to improve the quality service so it can be considered as a new form of transport.

Showcase bus routes could include: raised pavements to ease access, real-time information at each stop, audio information to assist visually impaired people. New bus lanes, shelters & traffic signalling.

Reliability will be improved as well as journey times, frequency & pricing for multiple journeys

High Quality Bus Rapid Transit System and Links to Park and Ride Sites

The proposed Bus Rapid Transit will feature the latest technology vehicles which would operate on the segregated former railway route between a new larger Newbridge Park and Ride and the City Centre via Western Riverside major regeneration area. The existing pedestrian and cycle route would be preserved.

On-street routes would extend the system to the proposed Lambridge Park and Ride site to the East and the Bath University Park and Ride using existing bus lanes and priority at traffic signals.

Pedestrian and Traffic Management Improvements at Sydney Garden Junction

The aim of this scheme is to manage traffic more efficiently by linking multiple junctions to reduce traffic build up using Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC). This system can set variable message signs, collect pollution & traffic count data & give priority to buses. Much of the system is already in place - so it's likely to be relatively low cost & practicable to implement.

The reduced ‘stop-start’ traffic will not only reduce local air pollutant emissions but also climate change gas emissions.

This scheme has been completed and monitoring is being undertaken.

Lambridge Park and Ride

A planning application has been submitted for this Park and Ride scheme which will provide spaces for upto 800 cars and serve both the A4 and A46 corridors.

This measure will reduce emissions by reducing traffic flow and therefore reduce NO2 concentrations overall. It will also reduce city centre congestion and improve the general environment (less noise & improved road safety).