Decision details

Temporary measures to widen pavements, remove traffic from roads, and cycling improvements, will be introduced in parts of the city to help people to socially distance and to encourage a long-term shift in the way people travel around Bath and North East Somerset.

The Cabinet Members decided to:

1.1  agree to the principle of the reallocation of road space and access restrictions, both to encourage active travel and to enable social distancing in in a form that is appropriate for the location in areas across Bath and North East Somerset;

1.2  recognise and agree to the principle of, where strictly necessary, the removal of parking spaces to deliver the schemes;

1.3  approve the incorporation of Social Distancing and Active Travel Measures as a new grant funded scheme into the Councils provisional Capital programme.

1.4  delegate authority to the relevant Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Transport, the decisions to agree and to proceed with any relevant legal processes to ensure the delivery of the schemes as developed;

1.5  support the development and adoption of a reviewable plan setting out the consultation and review processes for all temporary and experimental schemes; and

1.6  consider the Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)

The need to pursue highway interventions and social distancing measures proposed in light of the Covid-19 crisis that has had a significant impact on the lives of many UK citizens.

The highway interventions and social distancing measures also support the priorities as set out within the Corporate Strategy and recognises that during the period of the pandemic the key outcomes have become even more critical as all Council services have worked together to protect residents and visitors.

During the lockdown period, the average traffic levels within Bath and North East Somerset were reduced by over 60%. This allowed people to move around the city, when appropriate such as for exercise or for key working, in a different way. Significant increases in cycling and walking were seen, transforming the local environment and using the road space in a new, socially distanced and different way than normal. Increases in these behaviours are required to achieve the reduction in C02 necessary to deliver on the Council climate declaration to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Additionally, the Council has received significant correspondence from residents that have seen a benefit in the reduced levels of traffic and do not want to go back to high levels of congestion and poor air quality as the lockdown period ends.

The Secretary of State for Transport further highlighted the need to consider how road space is used when stating “Local authorities in areas with high levels of public transport use should take measures to reallocate road space to people walking and cycling, both to encourage active travel and to enable social distancing during restart (social distancing in this context primarily refers to the need for people to stay 2 metres apart where possible when outdoors). Local authorities where public transport use is low should be considering all possible measures. Traffic signs may be needed to inform pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of changes to road layouts, particularly where temporary widening is in place.”

Furthermore, active travel methods have significant benefits to the health of the general population, reducing obesity levels, improving mental health and wellbeing as well as reducing the impact of Covid 19. Furthermore evidence suggests that areas that are based around active travel have lasting economic benefits. 

Interventions will be considered are wide ranging and each location will be considered both in isolation and as part of the longer term wider strategic options to reduce the impact of motor vehicles on residents and visitors. These include:

a)  Installing ‘pop-up’ cycle facilities

b)  Using cones and barriers: to widen footways along lengths of road,

c)  Encouraging walking and cycling to school

d)  Reducing speed limits

e)  Introducing pedestrian and cycle zones

f)  Modal filters; closing roads to motor traffic,

g)  Providing additional cycle parking facilities

h)  Changes to junction design to accommodate more cyclists

i)  ‘whole-route’ approaches to create corridors for buses, cycles and access only

j)  Identifying and bringing forward permanent schemes already planned

All schemes will be monitored and reviewed to ensure that they are achieving the outcomes necessary to alleviate social distancing issues and/or active travel benefits. Where schemes are not achieving the outcomes necessary or where the community provide feedback to how they can be improved they may be removed or altered accordingly.

This decision is to be made under Part 4B Rule 16 of the Council’s Constitution as an urgent decision. This matter is urgent because the Council needs to implement social distancing schemes to protect the health and wellbeing of the residents and visitors to Bath and North East Somerset in light of the Covid19 pandemic.

Not applicable.