Update, July 2026
From 27 July to 29 October, we will install new and improved crossings and paths on A36 Beckford Road, A36 Sydney Place, and at the Sydney Road/Beckford Road junction.
This work follows a statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation on the new A36 Beckford Road crossing and a decision to proceed with construction of the scheme in these locations.
View the consultation results and the decision notice (Report 5a) published on 16 July 2026.
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. It then follows 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 plans. These are 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 consultation.
View a map of our original proposals along the route
Expand the sections below to find out more about the improvements we are proposing.
We have agreed to proceed with the following measures. Construction starts on 27 July 2026:
- Installing a new Toucan crossing over the A36 Beckford Road between the Kennet and Avon Canal and Sydney Gardens.
- Upgrading the pedestrian crossing over the A36 Beckford Road, near Sydney Road.
- Widening the pavement on the south side of Beckford Road to create a shared use path between Sydney Road and the new A36 Toucan crossing.
- Widening the pavement 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.
- Removing 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.
- Upgrading the signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the Sydney Road/Beckford Road junction.
- Relocating 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 the autumn we will start the following works:
- Upgrading the existing signalised crossing at A36 Sydney Place to a Toucan crossing to support access to the Sydney Road quiet route and the new shared use paths on Beckford Road.
- Creating shared used paths either side of the crossing.
- Improving 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.
- 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.
These upgrades will be installed in October. See the Construction Programme below.
We are proposing the following measures along Great Pulteney Street. A decision on these proposals, following the TRO consultation held in spring 2025, is pending:
- 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 29 October 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.
27 July to 1 August
Restricted access to and from Sydney Road via the Beckford Road junction
- Overnight works to remove the central island at the junction (7pm–6am)
- Access managed using temporary 'Stop and Go' traffic controls
27 July to 29 October
Construction on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Sydney Road
- Junction improvements on Sydney Road
- Creation of shared-use paths along Beckford Road
- Signal installation
Traffic management:
- 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 from 10 September
8 October to 11 October
Road closures and restricted access for resurfacing and crossing upgrades at A36 Sydney Place and Great Pulteney Street (east end only)
- Overnight works for 2–3 nights (7pm–6am)
- Signed diversion routes in place
Updates will be provided on this webpage in the autumn.
19 October to 22 October
Overnight road closures for resurfacing on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Sydney Road
- Four nights of resurfacing (7pm–6am) with signed diversion routes in place
- Access maintained for Beckford Gardens, Darlington Road and Sydney Road either via diversion routes or marshals
- Temporary prohibition on right turns from Sydney Road lifted during this period
- Vehicles exiting Beckford Gardens required to travel west to Bathwick
- Access to Darlington Road from the east only
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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