Work to start on improving cycling and pedestrian paths for A36 Beckford Road

Works to improve routes for walking, wheeling and cycling along Beckford Road in Bath will start next week (September 12).

The scheme being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council will see the creation of a new separated cycle lane and easier crossing points for pedestrians across junctions.

There will also be better access for cycling and wheeling by relocating the existing eastbound bus stop.

The scheme is one of two being funded by £500,000 from the Government’s Active Travel Fund to enable more people to walk or cycle for local trips, alongside the A4 Upper Bristol Road works which began in July.

The Beckford Road scheme includes:

• Creating a cycle lane along the north (uphill) side of the road, which will be separated from motor traffic by cycle lane separators. This will remove all existing parking on Beckford Road. Time-limited parking bays for five cars will be installed on Warminster Road by removing double yellow lines.

• Improving side road junctions so that the footway is extended across the side road, making it easier for pedestrians to cross.

• Relocating the existing eastbound bus stop away from Forester Road and reconfiguring it to improve access for cyclists. A new type of bus stop not seen before in Bath, called a bus stop boarder, will be installed and will allow the cycle lane to pass the bus on the kerb side.

The council has written to residents and businesses to notify them of the works, which are expected to take six weeks. The works will not prevent residents, traders or their customers from accessing their premises.

Detailed information on the schedule of the works can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/beckfordroad-works

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, said: “The Beckford Road scheme will give more road space to pedestrians and cyclists, which in turn will help to reduce congestion and improve air quality. Providing safer cycling facilities is central to encouraging more people to take up cycling for leisure and as a primary mode of transport. This scheme plays an important part in our ambition to create a strategic cycle network throughout Bath and North East Somerset."

“We are working hard to minimise disruption for residents and businesses wherever possible and will keep you fully informed throughout the works. However, due to the unique nature of the city and highway construction, there may be some challenges to overcome such as underground conditions and supply of materials. This means that we are unable to guarantee that the scheme will be completed in the estimated six weeks until our contractors are on site. Please check the dedicated webpage for updates.”

From September 12, there will be parking restrictions in place on Beckford Road between its junctions with Forester Road and Darlington Road. All parked vehicles will need to be moved before this date and there will be notices on the street to inform motorists.

Forester Road’s junction with Beckford Road will also close on September 12 for approximately two weeks to enable work to take place to improve the road crossing. Vehicle access to and from Forester Road during this time will be via Beckford Gardens. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

There will also be periods during the works where vehicles will not be able to access, or there will be limited access, to Beckford Gardens and Darlington Road. The council will write directly to homeowners affected to explain these traffic arrangements closer to the time.

The parking bay on Beckford Road between Beckford Gardens and Darlington Road will be taken out of use towards the end of October. Notices about this will be displayed on the street nearer the time.

The works will be carried out from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 5pm with occasional weekend working.