Re-balancing travel – shaping the place we want be

Bath and North East Somerset Council wants to improve your community by tackling congestion and re-balancing travel through developing a high quality environment for pedestrians and cyclists, and one where public transport can move freely.

Our Past…

In the 18th century, Bath was one of the most inspirational cities in the world. Over the past century, the increasing dominance of the motor car has done much to damage the character and quality of public space and public life in many cities across the world.

In Bath, accommodating cars has been particularly uncomfortable because of the city’s topography and narrow streets. Many of our most spectacular public spaces are now often clogged with traffic and polluted with fumes, which affects the lives of people who live and work here.

Improving our quality of life

Pioneering cities in Europe, such as Copenhagen in Denmark and Freiburg in Germany, have done much to address the dominance of the car and put people back at the heart of urban life. These changes have ledd to both economic regeneration and huge improvements in people’s quality of life.

Like Copenhagen and Freiburg, the Council understands the importance of improving public spaces.

The Council wants to transform the city centre using the city’s unique history and character to inspire the creation of a 21st-century public realm that is engaging and beautiful. Public spaces must be places that people want to use. In our squares and streets, we want to see an inspiring programme of public information, activity and events incorporating contemporary art and crafts, culture, heritage, sport, markets and play.

Tackling congestion is key

The Council wants Bath and North East Somerset to be one of the best places in Britain to live, work, and visit.

The Council wants Bath to be a city that regards access for pedestrians and cyclists as a priority in the centre, and where public transport can move around easily.

Without implementing improvements to provide better public transport, improve personal transport options, and unclogging the roads the Council will never be able to support the community to transform the feel of the city. There is little possibility of re-balancing travel in favour of pedestrians and cyclists ahead of the car in Bath city centre unless the volume of traffic is improved.

Ambitious plans

These improvements will benefit the whole area. Tens of thousands of people travel into and through Bath every day for work and leisure – our package of transport improvements aim to make their journeys faster and easier.

The Council has a vision for Bath and North East Somerset: to develop a distinctive place with vibrant communities where everyone fulfils their potential. To progress this transformation residents, business-people and tourists will have to rethink the way they travel.

The Council makes recognises this is an ambitious plan. However, if the community works together we can ensure that Bath takes its rightful place as one of the best and most beautiful cities in the world.