Update, September 2026
We are currently installing new and improved crossings and shared-use paths to improve walking, wheeling and cycling access on Beckford Road, at the north end of Sydney Road, and on the A36 Sydney Place (at the junction with Great Pultney Street and New Sydney Place).
Construction will be completed in phases to reduce disruption on the A36.
Please see the Construction Programme for full details.
The City centre to the Kennet & Avon canal route begins on the west side of Pulteney Bridge and includes Argyle Street, Great Pulteney Street and Beckford Road. It is currently part of National Cycle Route 4.
The aim is to improve walking, wheeling and cycling links to Bathwick St Mary Primary School, King Edward's School, Sydney Gardens, the Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street and the canal.
Following public consultation in winter 2024/25, we have refined our original proposals, outlined in more detail below.
Key benefits of the scheme
- Making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more appealing for a wider range of people
- Moving cyclists away from busy A36 traffic onto mostly segregated lanes and quieter streets - including Sydney Gardens Liveable Neighbourhood
- Creating a more connected, direct and safer cycling network across the city centre, linking to National Cycle Route 4
- Introducing wider pavements and better pedestrian crossings to support and encourage active travel
View our proposals
Please download a map of the proposals. Some details have been changed or updated since the public consultation in 2025.
View a map of our original proposals along the route
Expand the sections below to find out more about the improvements being installed.
Following the necessary statutory traffic regulation order process required for the new crossing, construction started in late July 2026 to progress the following measures:
- A new Toucan crossing over the A36 Beckford Road between the Kennet and Avon Canal and Sydney Gardens.
- An upgraded pedestrian crossing over the A36 Beckford Road, near Sydney Road.
- Wider pavements on the south side of Beckford Road to create a shared use path between Sydney Road and the new A36 Toucan crossing.
- Wider pavements on the north side of Beckford Road to create a shared use path between the new Toucan crossing and the canal entrance to the west.
- Removal of the dedicated left-turn lane and central island at the Sydney Road/Beckford Road junction, and widening the pavement to create shared use space. Motorists will still be able to turn left from Sydney Road into Warminster Street but the junction will be narrowed.
- An upgraded signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the Sydney Road/Beckford Road junction.
- Relocation of the bus stop on Beckford Road opposite Darlington Road approximately 100 metres east of the junction with Sydney Road (close to the Clean Air Zone sign).
From 30 September 2026 to mid-November, we will install the following measures:
- Upgrades to the signalised crossing at A36 Sydney Place to cater for pedestrians and cyclists, i.e a Toucan crossing to support access to the Sydney Road quiet route and the new shared use paths on Beckford Road.
- Creation of shared used paths either side of the crossing.
- A new right-turn pocket for cyclists at the east end of Great Pulteney Street enabling them to access the upgraded Toucan Crossing and Sydney Road quiet route. Previously all cyclists would have to turn left onto the A36.
- Improvements to the pedestrian crossing over Great Pulteney Street at its junction with the A36 Sydney Place with dropped kerbs, tactile paving and a wider, more substantial pedestrian refuge.
We are proposing the following measures along Great Pulteney Street but a decision on whether to proceed with these measures is still pending as of 24 September 2026.
- Way-finding improvements at Laura Place.
- Continuous crossings, raised to the level of the pavement, over the junctions with William Street and Edward Street. Give-way signs on the road would support pedestrian priority, making it easier and safer for people to cross.
We are no longer proposing a continuous crossing over Sunderland Street.
Map showing proposed walking, wheeling and cycling improvements on Great Pulteney Street
Construction programme
Construction will run from 27 July to 20 November 2026. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained throughout, either via diversions or with support from marshals. Restrictions will be removed whenever they are not needed.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on the A36 until the autumn when some night-time closures will be required for resurfacing.
Please expand the tabs below to see the scheduled work and the temporary traffic management plans in place.
August to 17 October 2026
Construction on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Sydney Road
- Junction improvements on Sydney Road, including removal of central island (complete)
- Creation of shared-use paths along Beckford Road
- Signal installation
Traffic management until 17 October:
- Right turns from Sydney Road onto A36 Warminster Road temporarily prohibited. Diversion east via Beckford Road and Bathwick Street roundabout
- Two-way traffic maintained on the A36 with narrower lanes
- Temporary traffic signals near Sydney Road junction
30 September to 20 November 2026
Construction on A36 Sydney Place and at the junction with Great Pulteney Street
- Creation of a right-hand-turn pocket for cyclists at the east end of Great Pulteney Street
- Upgrading the signalised crossing over A36 Sydney Place at the junction of Great Pulteney Street to a Toucan crossing
- Creation of shared-use paths around the Toucan crossing over A36 Sydney Place
- Resurfacing (see below)
Traffic management until 20 November:
- Construction hours: 8am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday
- Two-way or three-way temporary traffic lights will be used on A36 Sydney Place as required and will operate 24 hours a day
- Six parking bays on New Sydney Place will be temporarily suspended to provide a works area for the contractor. Signs are in place
- Access to properties will be maintained
- Work will be carried out in phases, with traffic management removed when it is not required
10 to 13 November 2026
Road closures and restricted access for resurfacing and crossing upgrades at A36 Sydney Place and Great Pulteney Street (east end only)
- Three nights of work, 7pm to 6am
- Road closures will be required, with access via signed diversions and alternative routes
Updates will be provided on this webpage in November.
2 to 6 November 2026 (to be confirmed)
Overnight road closures for resurfacing on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Sydney Road
- Four nights of work (7pm–6am)
- Signed diversion routes will be in place
- Access to Beckford Gardens, Darlington Road and Sydney Road will be maintained via diversion routes or with assistance from marshals
- The temporary prohibition on right turns from Sydney Road will be lifted during these works
- Vehicles leaving Beckford Gardens will need to travel west towards Bathwick
- Darlington Road will be accessible from the east only
- Night buses may be on diversion. Go to travelwest.info for updates (Routes and timetables)
Updates will be provided on this webpage in the autumn.
How this scheme connects to the wider network
This route has direct links with:
- Bath City Centre Active Travel Plans
- New Sydney Place and Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood
- National Cycling Network route 4 on the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath
Traffic Regulation Orders
Contact us
If you have general questions about this scheme, or you need support to access this information in an alternative or printed format, please email us at BWWCL@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 394025.
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