Updated A4 Bristol–bath Corridor Plans Focus On Sustainable Travel And Community Needs

Published on October 21, 2025

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has unveiled revised proposals aimed astatine improving carrier links on nan A4 corridor betwixt Bristol and Bath. These caller plans, portion of a larger £752 cardinal location carrier initiative, are designed to heighten connectivity, trim congestion, and beforehand sustainable travel. The proposals travel aft nan erstwhile metro mayor, Dan Norris, presented ideas successful 2023, which faced nationalist guidance owed to concerns complete their effect connected section communities. The updated plans, nether nan activity of caller metro politician Helen Godwin, bespeak extended consultation and feedback from residents on nan route, from Totterdown and Brislington to Keynsham and Bath.

Key Revisions to nan Plans

The caller proposals see respective cardinal revisions, which person been made successful consequence to nan feedback received from complete 5,000 residents during nan 2023-2024 consultation period. The updated plans are much balanced and purpose to supply a carrier web that addresses some nan request for businesslike recreation and nan concerns of section communities.

Bus Lane Adjustments and Extended Service Hours

One of nan important changes is nan revision of autobus lane plans. The arguable connection to present a autobus lane on nan Keynsham bypass has been excluded from nan updated plans. This alteration reflects concerns from section communities astir nan imaginable for accrued postulation disruption and nan biology effect of nan bypass project.

Instead, nan attraction is connected extending autobus lanes betwixt West Town Lane successful Brislington and Emery Road. These lanes will now run during highest hours, ensuring that autobus services for illustration nan X39 are much reliable and faster, which is important for connecting nan 2 cities. The revised autobus lanes will service to trim recreation times, peculiarly during unreserved hours, without causing excessive congestion successful surrounding areas. This alteration has been welcomed by galore who felt that nan original connection would person caused unnecessary disruption.

Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure Enhancements

The caller proposals besides attraction heavy connected improving accommodation for pedestrians and cyclists, peculiarly successful areas pinch precocious footfall specified arsenic adjacent schools. The revised plans see 40 caller and upgraded pedestrian crossings, pinch a peculiar attraction connected superior schools specified arsenic Holymead Infant and Primary, Wicklea Academy, Broomhill Junior, and St Anne’s Infant Schools. These upgrades will make nan A4 corridor safer for children and parents stepping to school, encouraging much group to opt for sustainable recreation modes for illustration stepping and cycling.

Cycling infrastructure improvements are different cardinal constituent of nan updated proposals. The plans see nan creation of segregated two-way rhythm lanes on nan A4 adjacent St Brendan’s College successful Brislington and Oasis Academy. These caller lanes will not only amended information for cyclists but besides beforehand progressive recreation arsenic a viable and charismatic action for getting betwixt Bristol and Bath.

Furthermore, nan proposals see an hold to nan Bristol–Bath Railway Path by half a mile, which will now tally straight into nan bosom of Bath metropolis center. This hold will supply a safer, much convenient way for cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring amended connectivity betwixt nan 2 cities and making sustainable recreation much accessible to residents of some cities.

Upgrades to Bus Infrastructure

In summation to caller autobus lanes, nan revised plans see upgrades to astir 150 autobus stops on nan A4 corridor. These upgrades will amended accessibility for passengers, pinch caller shelters, seating, and real-time accusation systems. The improvements are aimed astatine making autobus recreation much efficient, comfortable, and charismatic to residents who presently trust connected backstage cars for their journeys betwixt Bristol and Bath.

The autobus upgrades are besides designed to merge much seamlessly pinch nan city’s existing nationalist carrier network, including links to nan wider autobus and obstruction services successful nan region. This will let for amended intermodal connectivity, making it easier for group to move betwixt different modes of carrier for their regular commutes.

Traffic Calming and Other Road Improvements

In summation to autobus lanes and cycling infrastructure, nan revised proposals see postulation calming measures connected Talbot Road successful Brislington, wherever erstwhile plans had suggested a complete roadworthy closure. Instead of closing nan road, nan caller plans propose introducing measures specified arsenic roadworthy narrowing, caller trees, and different postulation calming techniques to negociate postulation travel while preserving entree to section properties.

Changes to junctions are besides included successful nan plans, particularly connected Newbridge Road successful Bath. The original connection for a autobus lane connected this roadworthy has been replaced pinch a scheme to amended junctions and make nan roadworthy much suitable for some autobus and wide traffic.

Other adjustments see shorter autobus lanes successful Saltford, wherever erstwhile proposals for an extended autobus lane were revised successful favour of a amended cycling route. The plans besides see widening Hungerford Road and adding a autobus gross to guarantee smoother postulation travel for nationalist transport.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

The revised plans spot a beardown accent connected sustainability, pinch a attraction connected reducing congestion and aerial pollution. The hold of nan Bristol–Bath Railway Path and nan improvement of segregated rhythm lanes are designed to promote much group to usage environmentally friends modes of transport, frankincense reducing nan reliance connected backstage cars and lowering c emissions.

The preamble of much pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, specified arsenic caller crossings and safer routes astir schools, besides reflects a committedness to promoting progressive travel, which tin person semipermanent wellness benefits for nan section population.

Community Consultation and Engagement

Helen Godwin, nan metro mayor, emphasized that these revised plans were developed successful consequence to feedback from section communities. Over 5,000 residents provided input done surveys and consultations held successful 2023 and 2024, pinch a peculiar attraction connected nan concerns of group surviving successful areas for illustration Keynsham, Saltford, and Brislington.

The caller plans bespeak a much thoughtful and balanced approach, aimed astatine addressing nan needs of some commuters and section residents. The WECA has made it clear that nan consultation process is not over, and further input from nan nationalist will beryllium sought earlier finalizing nan plans.

Next Steps: Public Consultation

A nationalist consultation connected nan revised proposals will beryllium unfastened until December 2. Residents, stakeholders, and travelers who usage nan A4 corridor are encouraged to participate and supply their feedback. The consultation intends to guarantee that nan last plans bespeak nan needs of section communities while improving carrier options for everyone walking betwixt Bristol and Bath.

Conclusion

The updated plans for nan A4 Bristol-Bath corridor correspond a important measurement guardant successful improving proscription betwixt nan 2 cities. With a attraction connected sustainable travel, improved autobus services, amended cycling routes, and safer pedestrian facilities, these proposals purpose to heighten connectivity while addressing section concerns. The consultation process will let residents to sound their opinions, ensuring that nan last plans meet nan needs of each stakeholders involved.