Date published: 2025-07-18 | Category: Climate Emergency, Roads, travel and transport, Transport and Development
A 20-year vision aimed at making walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for many journeys across the district has been formally adopted by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Active Travel Masterplan, a comprehensive plan that outlines the existing and future network of active travel, demonstrates a key step towards achieving the council's goal of becoming net zero by 2030.
With over a third of car trips across Bath and North East Somerset being less than 5km, the masterplan proposes the creation of a holistic network of interconnected walking, wheeling and cycling routes and supporting infrastructure that prioritises the safety of all users.
Among the aims are to reduce inequalities, improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion across the district.
Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, said: "The Active Travel Masterplan is our vision to transform the way we travel across Bath and North East Somerset. By prioritising active travel, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improving air quality, tackling obesity, and enhancing mental health. This plan benefits both our community and the environment."
The council identified in its Journey to Net Zero transport strategy in 2022 that reducing car mileage by 25% per person is essential to decarbonise travel in Bath & North East Somerset. The Active Travel Masterplan is a crucial component in achieving this goal by making active forms of transport viable, attractive and the natural choice for more trips.
After the public consultation last summer, we have decided to keep suggestions on our routes open. Residents can view all our current routes and projects, as well as provide feedback on our Active Travel Routes page. All submissions will be monitored regularly.
In addition to the Active Travel Masterplan, the council has also adopted the Creating Sustainable Communities strategies. These strategies for Keynsham and Saltford, Hicks Gate, Somer Valley and Whitchurch village aim to provide increased travel choices and will see more investment in our transport network to meet the current and future needs of these communities.
The goal is to create better-connected, healthier and genuinely sustainable communities through encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport.
For more information on our transport schemes, please visit the Transport Action Map to view more than 200 interventions being implemented in B&NES.