Service update, 22 October 2026
There will be overnight road closures for six nights in November to resurface Bear Flat:
- Monday 16 November, 11pm to 6am
- Tuesday 17 to 6am on Sunday 22 November, 8pm to 6am each night
Please plan your journeys in advance. Signed diversions will be in place for heavy goods vehicles, and alternative routes are available for local traffic.
Buses will also be on diversion (visit travelwest.info for more information). Vehicle access to some residential side roads will be restricted.
All restrictions will be lifted by 6am each morning, with the works finishing on Sunday 22 November.
Please refer to our construction plan for more information.
We're currently improving pedestrian crossings and bus facilities at Bear Flat as part of wider plans to improve bus reliability and provide safer pedestrian access across the region.
The main construction work will continue until November 2026, with work on pavements continuing into December.
Businesses are open as usual, and pedestrian and vehicle access is being maintained via temporary lanes and footways.
This page outlines the construction programme and temporary traffic management plan to support residents.
What improvements we're making
Click on the headings to find out more about the improvements we're making.
- Safer, shorter pedestrian crossing on A367 Wells Road outside the Bear Inn, reducing crossing time and bus delays
- Continuous raised crossings at Hayes Place, Shakespeare Avenue, Bruton Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue, making it easier and safer to cross
- New travel hub with an upgraded bus stop, seating, sheltered waiting area and real-time information
- Extended bus lay-by with space for two buses
- Wider bus gate on Bloomfield Road
- Consolidation of two southbound bus stops into one improved stop
- Wider pavements, new seating and planting outside the Bear Inn
- More cycle parking and improved wayfinding
- New loading bays opposite Shakespeare Avenue and between the Co-op and Beechen Cliff Drive, helping businesses load and unload while reducing disruption to traffic and buses
View a map of the Bear Flat proposals
Bear Flat construction programme
Construction will run from 27 July to mid November 2026 with some work on pavements continuing into December.
Most work will be completed without road closures, using narrow lanes and temporary traffic signals.
However, from 16 to 22 November Bear Flat will be closed during the nights and signed diversions will be in place. Alternative local routes are available.
Please expand the tabs below to see the scheduled work and the temporary plans in place.
Preparatory work on the eastern side of Bear Flat is complete until 16-22 November when we will complete the installation of raised crossings and resurface the area. This will require road closures. See 16-22 November.
Work outside The Bear Inn involving diversions:
- Right turns into Bruton Avenue and Shakespeare Avenue will be prohibited for northbound traffic heading into Bath.
- The junction with Bloomfield Avenue will be closed. Access to Bloomfield Avenue properties, including the Bear Inn car park, will be via Oldfield Road.
- Traffic lights are controlling the flow of traffic to a single lane to keep workers safe while we build out the pavement. Please leave plenty of time for your journey, especially at peak hours.
- The northbound bus stop, outside the Bear Inn will be closed during the works. An alternative stop is available near Kipling Avenue, south of Bloomfield Road.
As the final stage of the project, we will resurface the A367 Wellsway and Bear Flat junction. This work requires overnight works, road closures and diversions from Monday 16 November until Sunday 22 November at 6am (nights only).
We are writing directly to affected residents and businesses with detailed information about access arrangements and noise management.
Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained throughout. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained and managed by the construction team.
Please note that this programme may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances so please check back regularly.
Resurfacing work dates and times
- Monday 16 November: 11pm to 6am
- Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 November: 8pm to 6am each night
All road closures and traffic restrictions will be lifted by 6am each morning. Works are expected to finish on Sunday 22 November.
Road closures and diversions
During resurfacing works, the A367 Wellsway at Bear Flat will be closed between Hayesfield Park and the Bloomfield Road/Kipling Avenue junction overnight.
- Northbound and southbound traffic will be on diversion
- Advance signs will direct heavy goods vehicles via the A37, A39 and Lower Bristol Road
- Alternative routes are available for local traffic
- Please allow extra time for your journey and plan ahead
Vehicle access restrictions to residential side roads
Hayes Place/Holloway, Shakespeare Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue (to allow new crossings to be installed)
- Vehicle access to and from Wellsway will not be possible overnight on 16 November (11pm to 6am) and overnight on 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 November (7pm to 6am)
- Advance signs will direct heavy goods vehicles via the A37, A39 and Lower Bristol Road
Bruton Avenue
As Bruton Avenue is a cul-de-sac vehicle access will not be possible overnight from 16 to 21 November during working hours.
If you need to use your vehicle overnight, please move it before 10pm on Monday 16 November and 7pm on Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 November.
From 2 to 21 November, we'll also be clearing drains to mitigate against flood risk and conducting surveys to assess the condition of the Wellsway between Midford Road and Hatfield Road.
- Midford Road/Wellsway junction closed overnight on 2 and 3 November (8pm to 6am) with vehicle access from Frome Road or Bradford Road
- A southbound lane closure between the junctions will be in place on 9 and 10 November (8pm to 6am)
- A northbound lane closure between the junctions will be in place on 11 and 12 November (8pm to 6am)
Carrying out this work at the same time as the resurfacing work will help avoid additional road closures and reduce overall disruption.
Contact us
If you need to arrange essential vehicle access to your property during the works, please contact us in advance so we can discuss your requirements and make appropriate arrangements.
If you have any questions about the works, or need additional support, please email bearflat_works@bathnes.gov.uk or call the team on 01225 394025.
If you experience an urgent access issue during night works from 16 to 22 November, please speak to a member of the traffic management team on site or call our emergency out of hours number 0330 043 3030.