Decision details

The Creating Sustainable Communities in North East Somerset: The Journey to Net Zero transport strategy sets out the vision for the transport system for the next 20 years. The strategy looks to the long term and includes proposals needed to provide a transport system that is fit for purpose for those living, working and visiting the area.

The strategy seeks to broaden and accelerate our approach to Creating Sustainable Communities across the District, specifically in:

• Keynsham and Saltford;
• Somer Valley;
• Hicks Gate; and
• Whitchurch Village

To formally adopt the Creating Sustainable Communities in North East Somerset: The Journey to Net Zero.

As outlined in our Corporate Strategy our transport system needs to deliver more travel options to enable people to make the choice to walk, wheel and use public transport. This will provide genuine travel choice for the different types of journeys we want for the places we live and work – creating better connected, healthier and more sustainable communities.

The Creating Sustainable Communities strategy sets out the vision for the transport system for the next 20 years. The strategy looks to the long term and includes proposals needed to provide a transport system that is fit for purpose for those living, working and visiting the area. The strategy defines a pathway for how future transport across North East Somerset will contribute to addressing the climate emergency through improvements that enable more travel via sustainable modes. It signals the future direction of transport and seeks to enhance the sustainability of the existing place, in line with the Vision and Objectives.

At the heart of this Transport Strategy is the recognition that we need to make a significant change in our current travel behaviour which requires the provision of attractive, affordable, accessible and sustainable travel options.

Given the Council’s commitment to addressing our climate emergency there is a need to make significant changes in the way people travel around North East Somerset, specifically Keynsham and Saltford, the Somer Valley, Whitchurch and the Hicks Gate area.

The alternative is to maintain the status quo in terms of travel habits which will likely result in higher dependency on private car ownership leading to higher transport emissions and the Council failing to deliver on its Climate Emergency commitment. It will also result in greater inequalities between those who have access to a private car and those who don’t.