Residents can get the opportunity to say how travel options in the Somer Valley can be improved after a public consultation was launched.

Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) wants to hear from residents and businesses about the Somer Valley Links (SVL) project.

This is an initiative aimed at improving sustainable travel between Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Bath and Bristol through enhanced bus infrastructure and increased opportunities for walking, wheeling, and cycling.

The public consultation started Tuesday, February 4, and runs until midnight on Sunday, March 16.

The SVL project would introduce eight new mobility hubs, significant bus infrastructure improvements including 22 bus stop upgrades and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes.

Additionally, the project would bring substantial changes to the walking, wheeling, and cycling network, making sustainable travel more accessible and convenient for all.

The project covers an area from Whitchurch southwards through Pensford, Clutton, Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney. It then moves through the Somer Valley (Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St. John) and northwards towards Bath via Odd Down and A367 Wellsway.

Funded by the Department for Transport and previously led by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA), the SVL project is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme.

WECA is responsible for distributing the government’s CRSTS funds to viable schemes in the region.

Map of Somer Valley Links transport routes.
Map of Somer Valley Links transport routes. (Bath and North East Somerset Council)

The project aims to provide more travel choices, reduce congestion, connect rural areas to towns and cities, and improve air quality across Bath & North East Somerset.

Key proposals include:

  • Mobility hubs: Eight new hubs to facilitate seamless switching between transport modes.
  • Bus infrastructure improvements: Upgrades for 22 bus stops and nearly a kilometre of new bus lanes.
  • Walking, wheeling and cycling enhancements: Over 5km of footway improvements, 3km of new footways, more than a kilometre of new cycleways, 25 new pedestrian crossings and eight pedestrian crossing improvements.

The project went out to consultation in summer 2023, where a full engagement report is available here. The council welcomes feedback from all residents to ensure the scheme meets community needs.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel at B&NES Council, said: "The Somer Valley Links project would significantly enhance sustainable travel options in our region.

“By improving bus infrastructure and creating safer, more convenient walking and cycling routes, we are making it easier for residents to choose sustainable modes of transport.

“The scheme would see some reallocation of road space, including a small reduction in on-street car parking in some areas. We want to gather as much feedback as possible from the community to ensure its successful delivery.”

Upcoming consultation events:

  • Temple Cloud Village Hall, Temple Cloud – February 24 (3pm to 7pm)
  • The Hive, Peasedown St John – February 26 (3pm to 7pm)
  • Pensford Memorial Hall, Pensford – February 27 (2pm to 6pm)
  • St Luke’s Church, Wellsway, Bath – March 5 (3pm to 7pm)
  • Trinity Hub, Radstock – March 6 (3pm to 7pm)

For more information and to participate in the consultation, visit BANES’ website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/SVL.