Date published: 2025-02-18 | Category: Bath
Council leader Councillor Kevin Guy has written an open letter regarding the future of the London Road and Snow Hill Liveable Neighbourhood area
Dear Resident,
I am writing to you about the proposed Liveable Neighbourhood (LN) scheme for the London Road/Snow Hill area. While the aim of addressing the long-standing issue of through traffic in our residential areas is crucial, this process has unfortunately been clouded by misinformation and half-truths intended to cause confusion and concern among residents.
Liveable Neighbourhoods are all about improving our residential streets, making them safer, greener, and more enjoyable places to live. We also want to encourage more people to choose public transport, and bus-priority measures (such as bus gates) enable more efficient and reliable services that support bus travel as a viable choice.
In areas where we have introduced Liveable Neighbourhoods in Bath, residents have seen real benefits, with less traffic, improved walking, cycling, and wheeling routes, and a stronger sense of community. And because they encourage more sustainable travel, reduce the dominance of cars, and create more green spaces for everyone to enjoy, the council remains committed to delivering the LN programme in line with our wider policy.
In autumn 2020, residents across B&NES were invited to suggest areas that could benefit from the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. By June 2021, 15 areas were selected for further development and in 2022, residents took part in workshops to help shape the plans. The proposals were then shortlisted in 2023, with funding secured in 2024 for 11 Liveable Neighbourhood areas.
I want to assure you that we are listening closely to the concerns raised by residents and Walcot Ward Councillors. On January 28th, I was presented with a draft plan proposed by consultants and council officers for further public engagement in February. After reviewing the plan and consulting with Cabinet colleagues and Walcot Ward Councillors, it became clear that the complexities of the area meant that the draft proposals- while prioritising buses and stopping unwanted cut-through traffic on Camden Road- also meant that traffic challenges would continue in the immediate and wider area.
As a result, I have decided to stop this specific proposal and instead focus on exploring a broader solution that addresses the traffic concerns across Walcot, Larkhall, and Lambridge. The issue of through-traffic avoiding the busy London Road and using residential streets remains a pressing concern for every resident I’ve spoken to. I am therefore committed to working with residents, businesses, and elected members to tackle this complex issue once external funding becomes available.
A great deal of misinformation has been spread about this draft scheme, which has caused unnecessary confusion and concern among the community. Again, I want to be clear that the aim is to improve our streets and create a safer, more sustainable environment for everyone, but it’s vital that we find a solution that truly reflects the needs of our community.
After careful reflection, the council has decided to re-engage with the community to develop a wider Liveable Neighbourhood plan over a longer time, to fully address traffic issues across the East of Bath and ensure proposals are fit for the needs of residents. This will be undertaken during the next external funding round which is likely to take place in several years’ time. To formalise this decision, the current forward plan entry E3418 relating to the London Road and Snow Hill LN will be removed.
Thank you for your ongoing feedback and for your continued involvement in shaping a solution that works for everyone.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Kevin Guy
Leader Bath & North East Somerset Council