Scholars' Way aims to connect educational establishments and residential areas across the south of the city and make walking, wheeling and cycling an alternative mode of transport. The route comprises of an eastern and western section, proposing to link the University of Bath, Combe Down & St Martins School, via Mulberry Park
Public consultation for this project was carried out in 2022 and the full consultation has now been published.
The project will provide a healthier, safer and greener route for people in the south of Bath. The proposed western section of the project would see a new cycling and walking route from Combe Road to St Martins Garden Primary School, via Mulberry Park, featuring off-road sections and improved pedestrian and cycle crossings.
The scheme is part of our Active Travel Masterplan, which was consulted on in summer 2024. As part of our Corporate Strategy, we want to make walking, wheeling, and cycling safer, more convenient and accessible, while helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
We plan to facilitate and encourage active travel and improve the roads in select areas by:
- creating cycle lanes that are separated from general traffic
- reducing the speed limits to 20mph
- improving pedestrian crossings
- improving junctions to make them safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross
- redesigning bus stops
Our current proposals
Western Section
The project is expected to begin construction on the western section in 2025.
Funding has now been confirmed to construct the western section between Combe Down and St Martin’s Garden Primary School, Frome Road. via Mulberry Park, featuring off-road sections and improved pedestrian and cycle crossings during 2025.
This section of improvements to Scholars' Way aims to provide a cycle route together with walking routes and facilities between Claverton Down, Combe Down and Odd Down.
The proposals include:
Combe Road to St Martin's Garden Primary School
Introducing a cycle and pedestrian route from Combe Road to St Martin's Garden Primary School, via Mulberry Park. This route will include:
- Church Road (from The Avenue) and Combe Road cycle route. In carriageway cycle markings and signing.
- a new parallel crossing on A3062 Bradford Road, east of Mulberry Way
- Mulberry Park and Foxhill. In carriageway cycle markings and signing
- a new zebra crossing on Entry Hill between Hawthorn Grove and Entry Rise
- shared use path between Hansford Close and Clara Cross Lane
- a new parallel crossing for pedestrians and cycles Midford Road
- a new cycleway and shared use footway on Midford Road
- an upgrade to the existing puffin crossing on the A3062 Frome Road, adjacent to St Martin's Garden Primary School to a toucan crossing for pedestrians and cycles
Eastern Section
Other proposals on the Eastern section were consulted on in 2021 and 2022, followed by an Outline Business Case. Detailed design has now been carried out on proposed improvements, including:
Oakley/Copseland and Widcombe Hill/Copseland
There is funding through the 2024/25 Local Active Travel and Safety capital programme to construct a toucan crossing and associated works on footways and the bus stop at Oakley/Copseland.
Walking improvements are also proposed at the Widcombe Hill/Claverton Down Road end of Copseland, which consist of a continuous footway and dropped kerbs with tactiles.
This proposal may be included as part of the proposed toucan crossing and associated works but is dependent on the availability of funding.
Quarry Farm to Claverton Down Road
- upgrading the existing shared path between Quarry Farm and Claverton Down Road to a hard surface (3m in width), to improve conditions for active travel users.
- upgrading the existing zebra crossing on Claverton Down Road (east of Shaft Road) to a parallel crossing for pedestrians and cycles.
Ralph Allen School
- introducing a new zebra crossing on Claverton Down Road, adjacent to Ralph Allen School
- improving pedestrian and cycle access into the school
- relocating existing bus stops
Construction dates
Construction on Scholars’ Way began in July 2025. Due to locations of the works, effort has been made to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. The majority of works near schools have been scheduled during the summer holidays to limit the impact.
| Site Name | Planned Starting Date | Estimated Duration | Works Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Allen School crossing (complete) | 21 July 2025 | 4 weeks | New Zebra Crossing and bus shelters | |
| St Martin's School crossing (complete) | 13 August 2025 | 4 weeks | Upgraded Signal Crossing | |
| Bradford Road crossing & Mulberry Way | 8 September 2025 | 11 weeks | Widening footway, relocating Zebra (and upgrading), new raised crossing at Mulberry Way Combe Road closure: 5 to 19 November (24/7). North Road/Bradford Road closure: 19 to 21 November (7pm to 6am). | |
| Midford Road | 15 September 2025 | 10 weeks | 70m of Segregated Cycle Way, New Zebra Crossing, New Continuous Footway Midford Road closure: 12 to 14 November (7pm to 6am). See diversion | |
| Mulberry Park 2 - Entry Rise & Hansford Close | 22 September 2025 | 3 weeks | Improving existing drop kerbs and tactile, lining and signing | |
| Entry Hill crossing | 8 October 2025 | 6 weeks | New Zebra Crossing and speed tables Entry Hill road closure: 8 October to 19 November (24/7). | |
| Mulberry Park 2 - Entry Rise & Hansford Close | 18 November 2025 | 3 weeks | ||
| Combe Down Village (Westerleigh Road) | 24 November 2025 | 1 week | New cycle parking and crossing at Westerleigh | |
| Mulberry Park 1 - Fox Hill & Hawthorn Grove | 28 November 2025 | 3 weeks | Improving existing drop kerbs and tactile, lining and signing |
What this scheme means for you
Expand the sections below to find out how our proposals may affect you and other regular road users.
Scholars' Way will make cycling between Claverton Down, Combe Down and Odd Down safer, easier and more convenient. It will also make it safer for children to cycle to school.
Parallel crossings
We are proposing parallel crossings so that those cycling can pass next to zebra crossings, reducing potential conflict with pedestrian movements when sharing crossing space.
Toucan crossings
We are proposing to upgrade or introduce traffic-signal controlled toucan crossings which will have facilities for both people walking and those cycling. Toucan crossings get their name because two can (tou-can) cross simultaneously.
The proposed schemes will improve crossing points and widen footways, making walking and using other modes of active travel easier and safer by creating more distance between those walking and moving traffic.
Our proposals aim to rebalance how road space is allocated, making active modes of travel safer and more convenient for users.
Reducing on-street car parking
In order to implement the scheme, it will be necessary to reduce the level of on-street parking in some areas. Please note that the details of the scheme are not yet finalised. We need your feedback to make the scheme the best that it can be. We welcome feedback from everyone who lives on or uses the route.
Midford Road
The proposed toucan crossing and cycle lane will require the following reductions in on-street car parking:
Benefits
The benefits of active travel for children are limitless. Research shows it can increase concentration of children by up to four hours and there’s a positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance.
Currently, one in five cars on the road during peak morning times are involved in the school run and over a third of car trips across Bath and North East Somerset are less than 5km.
Scholars’ Way will open up the opportunity for more people to choose active travel and reduce congestion on the road.
Project timeline
Previous consultations
Complete
Development of outline business case
Complete
Details to follow.
Detailed work to review and finalise scheme designs
Complete
We are currently reviewing and finalising the scheme designs.
Business case submission and approval
Complete
The Full Business Case (FBC) was approved in September. Click here to view the FBC document.
Western section construction
On target
Construction of the western section is scheduled for 2025.
Eastern section: subject to full business case approval and funding allocation
On target
Details to follow.
Keep informed
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If you have feedback or questions about this scheme, please email us at: scholars_way@bathnes.gov.uk
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