Transport scheme for Bear Flat
Major changes are being made on Wellsway through the long-awaited Somer Valley Links (SVL) improvements.
The scheme includes:
• A 20-mph speed limit through Bear Flat;
• a narrowed pedestrian crossing over the A367 with a larger paved area at The Bear Inn;
• widened pavements including features such as planters and seating;
• improved crossings so pedestrians have a continuous footway across Bloomfield, Bruton and Shakespeare Avenues, and Hayes Place; and
• improvements to bus stops and removal of the bus stop north of Shakespeare Avenue leaving one southbound stop south of Shakespeare Avenue.
There is more and a drawing of the changes at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/somer-valley-links-phase-1-proposed-improvements On the map, click on the purple tab behind #8.
Work runs from late July to mid-November, see below.
BFA has supported the SVL scheme in principle all along (though making numerous comments and suggestions). It fulfils much that we sought in our Vision for Bear Flat Centre in 2020.
We believe that slower, steadier traffic using less of the available road space will benefit everyone. The narrower crossing and shorter traffic-light phases should also help improve traffic flow. We particularly welcome the new 20 mph limit, wider pavements and features such as planters, all of which should make the area more pleasant for residents and visitors alike.
Bear Flat will, we think, become safer and calmer, less a highway, more a local centre.
Construction phases
Work on the SVL improvements is expected to take place in two phases.
Phase 1 – East side (southbound) of Wellsway
31 July – 7 September 2026 (estimated)
• Hayes Place will become one-way only and cannot be entered from Wellsway.
• Access from Wellsway into Bruton Avenue and Shakespeare Avenue will be possible only from the southbound lane. Right turns into these roads will not be permitted.
• Kipling Avenue and the other avenues further south, together with Hayesfield Park, will remain accessible as normal.
These restrictions are likely to have the greatest impact on Hayes Place (inbound) and Holloway. Traffic is expected to divert via Chaucer Road and Beechen Cliff Road: using Shakespeare Avenue if coming southbound on Wellsway, or Kipling Avenue if northbound. Outbound traffic from Hayes Place will continue to operate as normal.
Phase 2 – West side (northbound) of Wellsway
8 September – mid-November 2026 (estimated)
Bloomfield Avenue will be closed to vehicles from Wellsway as far as the point where the avenue divides into two. Access to Bloomfield Avenue, Maple Grove and Maple Gardens will be via Oldfield Road.
The Council has allowed 15 weeks for the project. However, the most significant local restrictions are expected to last around five weeks during Phase 1 and around nine weeks during Phase 2, although there will be some disruption on Wellsway throughout. If work is completed ahead of schedule, the restrictions will be lifted earlier.
We appreciate that the disruption is frustrating, particularly for those whose daily journeys will be affected. But we believe the temporary inconvenience will be outweighed by the lasting benefits these improvements will bring to our community.
Local Plan Option
BFA has responded to the Bath and North East Somerset Council Local Plan Options consultation.
Our main comment concerned the extent of traffic generation likely from new employment and residential development on the southern edge of Bath and further afield such as at or near Midsomer-Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St John. This would have a harmful impact on the A367, we said, including through Bear Flat Local Centre. Planning should be for balanced communities where many residents could work locally, not commute into the Bath
Our response is here.
Movement Strategy
BFA has responded to the Council ‘s document, Movement Strategy for Bath, Delivering our Journey to Net Zero promise.
The Movement Strategy is a 10-year blueprint to transform how we move around Bath. It’s designed to help meet climate goals, improve public spaces, and make travel safer and more accessible for everyone.
We felt the document is well intentioned, but suggests little that is new, and lacks a detailed and convincing programme of action. We questioned the emphasis on the City centre: ‘Bear Flat is in the WHS and Conservation Area, has a listed terrace fronting the highway, is designated as a Local Centre in the Local Plan, yet seems a low priority in the Movement Strategy.’. We called for bolder action to reduce the amount of traffic drawn into the centre of Bath.
BFA said that a 20mph limit is just as desirable outside the centre as within it. We have campaigned for such a limit on the A367 through and beyond our Local Centre, especially when such limits are already applied on other busy roads such as London Road and Upper Bristol Road.
Our response is here.
BFA’s response to the Somer Valley Links latest consultation is here.
Also, for the record, our response on the first consultation, in summer 2023, is here.
Our area is on a radial commuter route from the south into the city, leading to heavy peak time traffic and associated commuter parking. It also has significant traffic flows associated with school runs to Beechen Cliff School.
The BFA therefore takes a close interest in the traffic situation and is in touch with Councillors and Council officials on a range of issues.
BFA also seeks to promote walking and cycling and to encourage the use of public transport.
The BFA will make representation on your behalf to the various planning and transport issues that come up in our area.
Our Planning & Transport Group comments on a range of regional and local planning documents, an example being B&NES Council’s Local Plan – A copy of the BFA response can be found here.
We also commented on the Council’s draft Active Travel Masterplan , see below . BFA takes up planning applications in the area where there are issues of concern or proposals to support.
We also promote the protection of the amenities of Bear Flat and suggests improvements. In an unusual partnership, Bath and North East Somerset Council commissioned BFA to produce a character appraisal for Bear Flat and Oldfield Park, and that study – one of a series about the Bath Conservation Area – is now on the Council web site where it can influence planning applications and policy. To read more about this, please visit our new Conservation Area Character Appraisal page.
B&NES Active Travel Masterplan
The Council’s Active Travel Masterplan aims to encourage and enable walking, cycling, and other forms of travel that involve physical exercise, ensuring safer, healthier, and more accessible transport options. A consultation took place in summer 2024.
BFA broadly supported the draft document. Many of the proposals support the BFA’s Vision for Bear Flat Centre, including provision of more active travel infrastructure and reallocation of road space. BFA’s response to the B&NES Consultation is at here
Transport proposals for Bath City Centre:
The latest phase of the WECA corridor schemes concerns the City centre. Read more
Planning proposals for Bear Flat
Upgrade to telecommunications kit on Beechen Cliff School
BFA has commented on the planning application (25/04239/FUL ) to upgrade the exisitng telecommunications equipment on the rooftop above the main entrance to the School.
On appearance , we said that the two poles to replace the two poles in place now would not be significantly different from the existing.
On health , we said that the scheme meets the standards set by the Government. We added that the roof of the School has been used for telecommunications for over 20 years without local disquiet. Also, 5G has been in operation in the UK since 2019
BFA has already resisted intention to enlarge or add to the equipment at the Gore. If this scheme goes ahead , then that eventuality seems less likely.
We made no objection to the application
Our comment is here.
We have recently responded to plans to re develop the Garages on Bruton Avenue ( behind Mercy in Action)
Our response is here