Decision details

Background / Reason for Decision / Purpose of Report:
Bath City Centre Phase 1 project aims to deliver walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure to the centre of Bath, including the introduction of a cycle path which links and rationalises existing infrastructure and that being introduced by other projects. The project is funded by WECA’s CRSTS fund.
The FBC was submitted to WECA in September 2025 and a decision is expected in November 2025, with funds released following the MCA and B&NES governance process at the beginning of Jan 2026; and construction due to start March 2026. An application for Early Works Funding was submitted to WECA in September 2026 in order to:
- Commission drainage surveys in order to finalise the design, technical assurance approval (TAA) and de-risk construction programme.
- Order materials with a long (16 weeks +) lead time so as to not delay construction
- Fund enabling works being carried out as part of the Bath Quays Links project
- Carry out additional design to construction, as required for TAA approval
This funding does not affect the overall budget or scope of the project.

To fully accept EWF of £701k to be spent on drainage surveys, materials ordering, enabling works and design for construction as early draw down from the WECA funded element of FBC budget. This is fully funded by CRSTS grant. If there is any delay on the grant offer letter being received from WECA, we will use match funding as an interim measure.

Option 1 -
To await decision of the FBC before proceeding, which brings the risk to programme delay due to not having sufficient information or materials to begin construction as planned. This risks the end date of construction impeding on the 2026 Christmas embargo and on the 2027 pre-election period.