People need safe, reliable, sustainable and affordable transport.

Congestion and delays are high across the region with both Bath and Bristol in the top 10 cities nationally for traffic delays. Delays on key routes such as the A4 linking our biggest cities make it hard for people to get around the region to work and learn. This leads to time wasted in traffic, poorer air quality, and limits the potential for economic growth.

Plans to build thousands of new homes near the A4 over the next 20 years would place extra pressure on the transport network.

We need to tackle congestion. By improving alternatives such as buses, and cycling, wheeling and walking, it will make it easier for people to leave the car at home when they want to. This will help to ease congestion and keep the road flowing more smoothly for those who do need to drive.

In 2021, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority asked people who live and travel along the A4 area what they thought about transport issues (West of England Combined Authority, Bristol to Bath Strategic Corridor Engagement Report, 2021).

The results showed:

• Most journeys along the A4 are made by car
• 77% of people who responded thought that traffic moves slowly and the flow of traffic is poor
• People were concerned about the quality of air along the A4, with 77% rating the air quality as ‘poor’

We also learned that people wanted:

• Bus services that they can depend on, with 60% saying they are ‘very likely’ to use the bus often if the bus services are more reliable
• Safe, separate cycle lanes, as 65% of people who responded said cycle paths were ‘poor’, and 72% suggested they would be likely to cycle more often if separate cycle paths are provided

Following this, outline proposals were drawn up, and a public consultation was held in 2023.

The A4 Bath to Bristol project is designed to give people better choices to travel sustainably, improving the route for buses and making it easier and safer to walk, wheel or cycle. We aim to:

• Prevent buses getting caught up in traffic so that they are more reliable
• Improve bus stops to make travelling by bus more attractive
• Reduce congestion along the route
• Create safer and more pleasant routes for people who walk, wheel and cycle, making better connections to shops, jobs, education and public transport

The project is not only designed to make improvements to transport along the main route of the A4, but to make better connections with the local road network. Changes to nearby roads would also make it safer for children and parents along routes around 7 local schools and easier to travel sustainably to the A4.

Using public transport, or getting around by walking, wheeling, or cycling helps cut down traffic and reduce delays because fewer people are driving cars. It also helps clean up the air and is better for the environment, since transport causes about 30% of the country’s carbon emissions.

There are health benefits too. Walking and cycling help you stay fit, lowers the risk of some illnesses and has been shown to help manage stress. It’s especially good for children. Physical activity can boost concentration and support better academic performance.

While all three consultations are running at the same time and share some overlapping themes, each has a distinct focus:

• Local Plan: This consultation is about shaping how communities and places in Bath and North East Somerset will develop over the next 15–20 years. It sets out the overall strategy for housing, jobs, infrastructure and the environment. Find out more about the Local Plan here: www.bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan
• Movement Strategy: This strategy looks at how we use our streets and transport networks. Its aim is to prioritise sustainable travel (like walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport), reduce congestion and create a fairer, more accessible network for everyone - residents, businesses, and visitors: www.banestransport.co.uk
• A4 Bath to Bristol project: This is a specific transport project focused on the A4 between Bath and Bristol. It aims to improve travel by upgrading bus services and making it easier to walk and cycle along the route.

At the events, there will be somebody from the respective consultations available for your questions.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority was awarded £540 million in 2022 by the Department for Transport as part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement to improve the region’s sustainable transport network – including improvements to public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling. This project is just one part of that wider programme in the West of England.

The funding awarded to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for this project has strict criteria and is limited to projects that deliver better infrastructure for buses, cycling, walking, and wheeling.

We aim to spend money on infrastructure that will contribute to economic growth. Making sure people who don’t drive have access to high quality jobs is an essential part of this. Investment in sustainable transport also has wider benefits for air quality and health.

For many people, driving is a convenient option, but others depend on public transport, cycling, walking or wheeling to get to school, work or appointments. We want to give everyone more travel choices — and make it easier to leave the car at home when possible. This would mean less traffic for those who do need to drive.

Most of the plans have been designed to not take away lanes of traffic for vehicles. Some may mean slightly longer journeys for some drivers, but there would be easier and safer options for walking, wheeling, cycling and catching the bus.

We want to tackle congestion along the A4. The proposals have been developed and refined considering feedback from previous engagements over the past four years. But nothing is set in stone at this stage. This is your opportunity to comment on our detailed plans.

At congested times and at very low speeds, pollution is generally higher.

Typically reducing speed limits - for example from 70 mph to 40 mph, reduces pollution concentrations and results in better air quality.

Bristol City Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council continually monitor air quality and nitrogen dioxide levels - which can be viewed on their websites: www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/pests-pollution-noise-and-food/air-quality-and-pollution/air-quality and www.bathnes.gov.uk/air-quality.

An added benefit of lower speed limits is reducing noise pollution for local residents.

We know that parking can be challenging for residents. Some parking would be affected by these proposals, but this allows us to make much needed safety improvements especially around schools. This would also make space for cycling, walking, wheeling and bus improvements. We’d like to know what you think about this.

All existing dropped kerbs and access to garages will be retained.

This is the last full public consultation on these sections of the project, but nothing is set in stone at this stage. Please do take the time to look at our proposals and share any feedback we may need to consider when we finalise our plans.

Some parts of the project, for example changes to speed limits need to go through a further round of approvals via local councils to obtain a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) or planning permission. There would be an opportunity to comment at that point.

We plan to consult separately on the Keynsham bypass, and the section of the A4 between Emery Road and Hicks Gate roundabout, once the plans for these sections are more developed and ready for feedback.

The longer-term proposals shown at our 2023 consultation (from West Town Lane towards Bristol city centre) are now part of a separate project and will also be consulted on separately in the future.

If the proposals go ahead, construction could start in summer 2026 and last approximately 2 years.

This is a big project, so the construction work will take time and needs to be carefully planned. We’ll do everything we can to reduce disruption to local people and traffic.

Some disruption is unavoidable, but we’ll keep residents and road users well informed before and during the works. Where possible, we’ll carry out work at night or during quieter times in areas away from homes and will aim to keep at least one lane of traffic running in each direction during construction. We’ll also try to coordinate with other roadworks to avoid extra delays.

This is not yet decided. A tender process for a contractor will be carried out ahead of works starting.

Building better infrastructure is the first step to improving bus services. People are more likely to use buses if they know they can depend on them to be on time.

When more people take the bus, bus companies are more likely to invest in better and more frequent services, which makes buses even more attractive.

When buses have their own lanes, they don’t get stuck in traffic and can run on time more consistently. Bus stops in those lanes also mean buses don’t have to wait for a gap in traffic to get moving again. This makes the service more reliable, even when roads aren’t busy.

The overall aim is to make public transport a more attractive and practical choice while reducing congestion and freeing up road space for people who need to drive.

Dedicated bus lanes are a key part of making this possible. People need buses to be reliable all day, not just during busy times.

Generally, more people choose to cycle when safe, good-quality bike lanes are provided. Locally, 72% of people who responded to our 2021 survey said they would be more likely to cycle if there were separate and safe cycle lanes.

Our proposals would improve old cycle paths and build new ones to meet new government standards introduced in 2020. These routes will be safe, direct, easy to use and comfortable making cycling a more attractive option.

The funding for this project can only be used to improve infrastructure for buses, walking and cycling, such as bus lanes, bus stops, cycle paths, crossings and pavements.

But as we outlined above, investing in better infrastructure would contribute to improving bus services.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and local councils work with bus operators to improve bus services – jointly aiming to make buses more frequent, cleaner, keep fares stable and develop new and better-quality services and facilities.

Different funding sources are already being used to improve and support bus services in the region. For example, the Combined Authority funds the WESTlocal K1 service in Keynsham, and money from Bristol City Council’s Clean Air Zone has launched bus service 36, which runs through St Anne’s and Bishopsworth.

Some trees would be affected if the proposals go ahead. However, any trees that are impacted would be moved or replaced.

When land is developed, plants, animals and habitats can be affected. This project is committed to providing ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ of 10 – 20%, which means making sure developments leave nature in a better state than before, for example, by planting more trees, creating wildflower meadows, improving hedgerows or restoring wetlands.

There will be some impact, but we are committed to protecting wildlife wherever possible and will make sure that we comply with environmental regulations.

At first, there might be more traffic around the junction while people get used to the changes, but we are planning changes to how the A4 and Flowers Hill junction works, to help keep traffic moving on the A4. The improved bus stop area and crossings to the retail park coupled with the new cycle paths and wider pavements will mean travelling around this area by bus, walking, cycling, or wheeling will be easier and more attractive.

Those plans are now part of a later phase of this project, which will have its own consultation and information available in the future.

We set out a long-term ambition to re-locate the Brislington Park & Ride nearer to Hicks Gate roundabout, alongside a new transport hub, in our Joint Local Transport Plan 4. This does not form part of the proposals we are currently engaging on.

We have decided to look again at proposals for the Keynsham bypass and the section of the A4 between Emery Road and Hicks Gate roundabout. We will consult separately on these once the plans are more developed and ready for feedback.

As part of the Withies Green development in Keynsham, housing developer Curo is making a number of changes to improve sustainable transport options along the A4. This will provide a safer and easier route for pupils at nearby schools.

This includes:

• A new junction on the A4 to provide safe access to the development, i.e a new junction to the development on the A4
• A new segregated cycle path and separate footpath from Grange Road in Saltford to Broadmead roundabout
• Improved bus stops with level access
• New pedestrian crossings, including a zebra crossing and additional crossing points
• A direct connection to the Bristol to Bath Railway Path

Work has already started and is expected to be completed by summer 2026. For the latest information on traffic disruption visit https://one.network/?GB145191636

The works being carried out by Curo are being fully co-ordinated with the A4 Bath to Bristol proposals. We will work with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Curo to explore how we can support each other wherever we can.

The Mayoral Combined Authority is exploring the possibility of a new railway station in Saltford, alongside other station options, as part of updating our regional rail strategy.

A feasibility study for reopening Saltford railway station has been completed, with report publication expected by the end of this year or early next year.

Network Rail is developing a rail network timetabling study looking at the railway corridor between Bristol and Bath/Westbury. This study is looking at what new infrastructure upgrades could be accommodated along this already very busy railway line.

If a train station is opened in Saltford, people living along and near the A4 would need reliable and sustainable ways to get there — and to reach other places that the train wouldn’t serve such as Brislington.