Save the Bristol and Bath bike route, says Sustrans

A proposed high speed bus route alongside much of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path is being opposed by Sustrans. The pioneering green way is the most popular route on the National Cycle Network, currently carrying 2.4 million walking and cycling trips a year. Almost half of the route (between Bristol city centre and Emersons Green) is currently the subject of a proposed Rapid Bus Transit (RBT) route designed to ease congestion by offering an alternative to Bristol’s car users.

Sustrans questions the logic of undermining the quality of a path which is already extremely popular with people traveling on foot and bike by building a RBT along much of its length. The charity believes that there are viable alternatives that should be explored, such as reallocation of road space into dedicated bus lanes.

Sustrans’ CEO John Grimshaw said the new proposals need further scrutiny and contradict government’s current thinking on transport systems:

“It is now widely accepted that well-designed high quality paths, bridges and walkways are crucial for enabling many more people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys. Indeed recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellencesays just this, and urges transport planners to focus on creating excellent routes for walkers and cyclists to combat our spiraling obesity rates. Whilst Sustrans absolutely supports the development of high quality public transport to complement walking and cycling for local journeys, one should not be developed to the detriment of the other. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“The Bristol and Bath Path is one of the most popular sections of National Cycle Network, and serves a wide community of walkers, cyclists and disabled people, from shoppers and sight seers to commuters and school children. It is the jewel in the crown for active, low carbon travel, not just in Bristol but across the UK.”

A petition to save the path has had nearly 5000 signatures.

A similar petition on the Prime Minister’s ‘we’re listening, maybe’ website asks the PM “to ensure countrywide protection in planning and development legislation of disused rail corridors. To provide for their re-use as rail lines should circumstances permit. To facilitate their development as ‘Greenways’, or transport corridors for cyclists, walkers, horse riders and wheelchair users. To extend nationally the network of successful routes which have been developed by Sustrans in conjunction with Local Authorities and other bodies, such as the Spen Valley Greenway in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.”