Bath Cycle Path Project Stalled Due to Council Oversight
A controversial cycle lane project in Bath has been put on hold shortly after its commencement, as the local council acknowledged a significant administrative error: it neglected to respond to a formal objection lodged by a campaign group. This oversight has cast uncertainty over the future of the cycle path, which aims to link a route from Weston to the city center through Royal Victoria Park, operating counter-flow to existing road traffic.
The infrastructure initiative faced considerable opposition from residents and advocacy groups from its inception. Notably, the active travel organization Walk Ride Bath submitted a detailed formal objection in 2024 to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) governing the lane’s construction. Their concerns centered on potential safety issues, particularly regarding inadequate lighting and limited natural surveillance along the proposed route through the park. The group argued that the council's plans for additional lighting were insufficient to address personal security risks.
Following an inquiry into the status of objections, Bath and North East Somerset Council admitted that Walk Ride Bath's formal submission was not considered during the decision-making process due to a "technical and administrative oversight." The council has since apologized for this error and confirmed that the previous decision to proceed has been revoked. A comprehensive review of all objections, including the previously overlooked one, will now take place to ensure a fair and fresh decision. This re-evaluation aims to rectify the administrative lapse while also considering the financial implications and striving to maintain the project's timeline if it is ultimately approved.
Walk Ride Bath has pledged to further investigate how their objection was missed and to understand the process that led to the allocation of £2.35 million in funding for a project that had not undergone full evaluation. The group emphasizes the importance of ensuring that public consultations genuinely influence decisions and that funding is directed towards creating a cohesive and effective cycling network. The project, originally slated for completion by mid-March, is now expected to face several months of delay, or even potential cancellation, as the council re-evaluates its approach. This marks the second revision of the proposal, with initial adjustments made after a prior public consultation led to the inclusion of pedestrian crossings, resurfaced footpaths, and tulip-shaped kerbs to separate the contra-flow cycle lane from other traffic.
Council cabinet member Lucy Hodge had previously stated that the cycle lane was designed to enhance safety and accessibility within the park for all users, particularly by separating cyclists from pedestrians and offering a family-friendly route away from busy areas. The current delay highlights the critical need for meticulous administrative processes and transparent engagement with public feedback in infrastructure development.