The route begins on the west side of Pulteney Bridge. It then follows Argyle Street and then Great Pulteney Street. It is currently part of National Cycle Route 4.
Following public consultation we have refined the designs. We are proposing to add new crossings along Great Pulteney Street and on the A36. This will improve the National Cycle Route 4 (NCN 4) and key routes for walking and wheeling in Bath.
The crossings will improve connectivity to Bathwick St Mary Primary School, Sydney Gardens, the Holburne Museum and Great Pulteney Street. We want to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more convenient so that more people will choose active travel modes.
Part of the route runs through the new Sydney Gardens Liveable Neighbourhood, where traffic is quieter.
Expand the sections below to find out more about the improvements we are proposing.
We are proposing the following for Pulteney Bridge to Great Pulteney Street:
- Way-finding improvements at Laura Place. We are proposing no other works as part of this scheme.
- Continuous footways over the junctions with William Street and Edward Street. These will make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross. Continuous footways are pavements that give pedestrians priority over vehicles across road junctions.
- New accessibility features for pedestrian crossings, such as tactile pavin,g to make it easier for people with visual impairments to cross.
We are proposing the following for the A36 Sydney Place upgraded crossing:
- Upgrade the existing signalised crossing at A36 Sydney Place to a Toucan crossing that will accommodate people cycling, as well as walking and wheeling. This follows feedback we received on the crossing’s use. We will upgrade the signal equipment.
- To make a small area of pavement either side of the crossing into a shared-use path to connect them with the roads.
- A right‑turn area that will allow cyclists to wait safely until it is clear to turn. It will link to the crossings from Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Place.
We are proposing the following for the A36 Beckford Road crossing improvements:
- A new Toucan crossing that can be used for walking, wheeling and cycling over the A36 Beckford Road between the Kennet and Avon Canal and access to Sydney Gardens.
- An improved pedestrian crossing over the A36 Beckford Road at the junction of Beckford Road with Sydney Road. The signal equipment at this junction will be upgraded.
- The pavement between the upgraded crossings on the south side of Beckford Road will be widened and made into a shared use path to connect them.
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
Key benefits of the scheme:
- Create a better-signposted, joined-up network across the city centre – making cycling easier, safer and direct.
- Move cyclists away from the busy traffic on the A36, and along mostly segregated cycle lanes or quieter streets.
- Make cycling a more attractive option, appealing to a wide range of people.
- Widened pavements where needed along the route and improved pedestrian crossings.
Keep informed
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If you have feedback or questions about this scheme, please email us at bath_links@bathnes.gov.uk.