Widcombe Hill, one of the links for staff and students travelling to the University of Bath, has long been recognised as a hazardous road. Yet, instead of designing safer cycling infrastructure, the council is pressing ahead with measures that could actively make the route worse for people cycling.

The proposed speed cushions go against government guidance, which advises against using them on cycle routes. Local Transport Note 1/20 warns that speed cushions “constrain the ability of cyclists to choose their preferred position in the carriageway” and are particularly unsafe for those using non-standard cycles such as tricycles, handcycles, or child trailers.

Green councillors are calling for a rethink, arguing that better alternatives exist, such as raised tables, protected cycle lanes or measures to prevent through-traffic.

Cllr Saskia Heijltjes (Lambridge, Green), adds:

“It is very disappointing that current government guidance is not adhered to. Speed cushions are bad for cycling and the so-called “improvements” seem to have forgotten about people on cycles. And that’s very odd because we desperately need people who are able to, to stop using a car to get around. Cycling is a great way to get around, especially for journeys under 3 miles.”

Notably, the council’s recent announcement of these improvements mentions drivers and pedestrians but completely overlooks cyclists—even though Widcombe Hill is identified as a strategic cycle route in the Active Travel Masterplan.

With an 8% incline and a history of serious collisions, Widcombe Hill needs safety measures that protect all road users. The Green Group is urging the council to go back to the drawing board and deliver a design that aligns with its commitments to road safety and active travel.

The post Widcombe Hill Plans not Safe for All appeared first on South West Green Party.

Despite expectations that Vision Zero would be on the agenda for last Thursday’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, it was instead subsumed within a Cabinet Member update – an approach the Green Group describes as inadequate for such an important issue. Without a dedicated agenda item, the public wasn’t properly informed and was denied the opportunity to contribute, obstructing meaningful scrutiny.

The situation worsened when Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, a Panel member, was requested to submit her statement in full in advance of the meeting. The BathNES Green Group challenged this request. This forced Saskia’s to submit the statement’s title to Democratic Services and speak as a member of the public.

Councillor Joanna Wright stepped in and substituted for Saskia. This highlights wider issues with how Policy Development and Scrutiny Panels are run at B&NES, including poor preparation, restricted time for questions, and weak scrutiny.

Green Councillor Saskia Heijltjes, who proposed the motion, said:
“We are disappointed by the lack of transparency and engagement around Vision Zero. The motion was passed a year ago, and it stated that the administration would be reporting back to the relevant scrutiny panel in 12 months. Public safety is at stake, and we need to be sure that real action is being taken.”

Recent serious incidents, including a teenager taken to hospital after being hit by a driver on Newbridge Road and a woman seriously injured in a collision on Mount Road, underscore the urgency of Vision Zero. These collisions highlight the need for up-to-date data to inform highway projects. The Green Group is calling for better access to up-to-date information on fatalities and serious injuries to guide future decisions.

The motion outlined several key steps to reduce casualties, including:

• Enforcing 20mph zones and safer driving practices in partnership with the police.
• Identifying the 10 most dangerous locations for targeted improvements.
• Expanding school streets and promoting cycling by council officers.

However, the Green Group has raised concerns about the removal of key cycling infrastructure in new projects and the lack of adherence to best practice guidelines, such as LTN 1/20, in recent consultations.

Councillor Heijltjes added:
“To achieve Vision Zero, we need to follow best practices and take bold, evidence-based action. We need clear, consistent policies that prioritise safety above all else.”

The Green Group is now calling for a dedicated Vision Zero update at the next meeting in January or March 2025, to ensure the issue receives the attention it deserves.

Green leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, concluded:
“Vision Zero is not just a bold goal, it’s a necessary one. Every day of delay puts more lives at risk. We need immediate, decisive action to make our streets safer for all.”

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