August is usually a quiet month, but this year still had notable moments.

The most significant was an interview between journalist Laura Laker and the new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh (get used to hearing that name!). The take away was that the ‘plan for drivers’ is going in the bin and we should see much more aligned thinking between national and local government on walking, wheeling and cycling (active travel). Which actually takes us back to where we were in 2019 when Boris set in motion policies such as Gear Change. How will these warm words from Louise Haigh translate into action…? We shall have to wait and see.

Closer to home, a legal challenge has delayed the implementation of the Lansdown Liveable Neighbourhood. On the downside, that means people missed out on enjoying safe, quiet streets during a lovely late summer. On the upside, by the time it is actually implemented, the 18 month trial will run across two summers (2025 and 2026). And good weather is the magic ingredient showing low traffic streets at their best. The whole episode is a reminder that people who want safe, healthy and affordable travel options need to keep banging the drum.

On that note we are towards the end of the feedback period for the Sydney Place/Road (October 3rd). You may have some insight as to how the scheme has enabled you to travel in new or safer ways, or you may have comments on how it could be improved. For instance, WRB would like to see a safe crossing on Beckfords Road connecting Sydney Gardens and the canal tow path. As ever, speak up loudly when you get the chance. There are plenty of ‘doom and gloomers’ to balance out the responses!

Parish Councils locally have generally shown zero vision when it comes to future travel, preferring to simply object to everything without providing any fundable alternatives. So during my summer travels I almost fell off my high horse seeing this in the Somerset Levels:

In other news:

• Electric Bike trial day at Odd Down Circuit Sunday 29th September. Great chance to try a range of cycles including things like ‘box bikes’ in a car free setting. I have been sent the following info and discount code which makes it £5.75 for an adult or £8.50 for 2 adults together.

Fancy trying out the latest electric bikes on a safe, traffic-free circuit in Bath? Cycling Electric magazine is hosting an e-bike demo day on Sunday, 29th September, with over ten top brands, including Riese & Müller, Tern, and Benno, available to test. Whether you’re considering an e-bike purchase or just curious to try one out, this event lets you compare different styles, from commuter to cargo bikes. Walk Ride Bath newsletter subscribers get 50% off tickets with code WRC50 at https://tinyurl.com/Cycling-Electric-Demo-Day

• Bath Sustainable Walking and Cycling Links- still waiting for first round consultation. Should come October/November (?) Survey markers have been spotted on pavements. Roughly speaking we think the plan is to concentrate on better connecting Weston to the City Centre, Oldfield School to Chelsea Road and Pultney Bridge to the canal via Great Pultney Street.
• We are yet to see any ‘secondary measures’ for the first 3 Liveable Neighbourhoods eg. landscaping, crossings, ramped access… it is starting to look a bit like the money is running short… 🤔
• New zebra crossing has been completed on Lansdown Road. Another in pipeline for Warminster Road.
• A modest programme of pavement resurfacing is underway. It is nowhere near enough, but still an achievement given how highways funding is allocated.
• Tragically, on Sunday 25th August a person died in a crash at the bottom of Pennyquick Hill. Around 1,650 people die on UK roads every year, and over 17,000 are seriously injured, with other injuries running into the 100,000s. We work everyday to try and bring those numbers down.
• A36 closed at Limply Stoke. It will be interesting to see how that impacts on journey patterns longer term, as the 6 month closure is long enough for people to quite radically change how they get around. Who knew there was a train from Warminster to Bath?
• WESTACT (West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel – catchy right?!) event Imagining Future Travel in the WECA area 23rd November. One for the very keen! Sign up on link. Volunteers to steward etc are also welcome.
• NHS staff still get 50% off Tier. Really useful to staff in Twerton, Southdown, Whiteway who er… have no access to the Tier scheme.
• Tier and Dott (both shared mobility providers) have merged, this being given as the latest excuse for why all people in Bath are not being given equitable access to the scheme.
• Frustrated about slow construction of cycle routes? Then build your own! Greenways and Cycleways Camp runs 7-14th September in and around Shepton Mallet, in support of the Strawberry Line. You can go for one day or camp for the whole week. Contact them in advance for details: greenwaysandcycleroutes@gmail.com
• Still no circulation plan
• Still no school streets
• Still dangerously fast 30mph roads in Bath
• Still zero new meters of dedicated safe cycling infrastructure since 2022
• Still some people who think there is an ‘evil cycling lobby’ who get everything they want

August has been a great month weather wise and as I write this the good spell continues. So stop reading this and get out there! The Pier to Pier is open with the lovely Little Owl Cafe alongside the route. The Strawberry Line seems to grow a new piece every week.