Work to start on linear park link with Two Tunnels route
Work is about to start on widening a path through the south of Bath so it can be part of a £1.9 million walking and cycling route.
The Linear Park at Oldfield Park will be widened and resurfaced in a 10-week project to convert it to part of the Two Tunnels Greenway route.
The overall scheme will see the reopening of two old railway tunnels – the Devonshire and the Combe Down – to create a four-mile route from the city to Midford.
It is being funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Bath and North East Somerset Council and public fundraising such as the King Bladud's Pigs art project.
The work at the Linear Park starts next Monday and will be undertaken in five stages, keeping as much of the route open as possible while the improvements are made. It is being co-ordinated by national transport charity Sustrans, whose senior engineer in the south west, Patrick Tully, said: "These works are going to lead to a fantastic new pathway which will hopefully encourage more local people to make journeys by foot or on bike.
"We realise there is going to be some disruption caused along the route, so we are providing residents with online tools so that they can check where and when work is taking place."
A map on the Bath Two Tunnels page of www.sustransconnect2.org.uk will be updated should the work schedule change for any reason.
Councillor Roger Symonds, who chairs the Two Tunnels Steering Group, added: "By improving the Linear Park route, people are going to be able to use it all year round, in all weather conditions, which will make it much easier for walkers and cyclists to get about.
"This is an exciting moment for everyone involved as we move into the next stage of this amazing project."
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by Kirsten, Bath
Saturday, January 08 2011, 10:09AM
“@Mark I take your point about the rough walls - and not very pleasant for walkers to be pushed up against the wall.
I was just thinking of a line - although I'm not sure that those ordinary paths where this is done works very well, thinking it over. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to using the path! It's a great scheme for walkers and cyclists.”
by Mark A, Bath
Friday, January 07 2011, 7:37PM
“@Kirsten: there are some tunnels where this is done - a white line to guide different user groups. Most don't take this approach: they're found to work well as a shared space. Being in a rough-walled tunnel has, for some reason, an inhibiting effect on the speed of anyone on a cycle, and doubly so when passing other people so the mix isn't as much of a safety concern as one might expect.
This concern is probably similar to perceptions of aircraft safety - the thought of flying can be alarming, but people are in more danger on the way to the airport than they are once they're sitting on the plane.
@Jasper, Charlie: not necessarily. this will be a shared-use path and enough people from the area already 'Get this' and will help the 'Shared space culture' develop.
Also, there's various things going to be put in place to help.
If you do get put on a lead please ask your human not to use the sort that extends to 25 feet and is invisible - you've probably realised that that sort don't really help you or anyone else but you know how humans love gadgets ...”
by Jasper and Charlie, Bath
Friday, January 07 2011, 12:16PM
“Does this mean we will have to stay on leads when walking this path in future, and watch out for high speed bikes?
Woof!”
by Kirsten, Bath
Friday, January 07 2011, 11:44AM
“As a walker, I also applaud this. What I would suggest is that, if there is room, within the tunnel there should be a walkers' track and a cyclists' track, for safety reasons. What do other people think?”
by Tony Hull, Bradford on Avon
Friday, January 07 2011, 10:26AM
“This will open up the surroundings and give opportunities to a huge number of people. Heartwarming progress on a superb scheme.”
by Dave Purvis, Eastleigh
Friday, January 07 2011, 9:22AM
“It will be fantastic to see this route into and out of Bath opened up - in times gone by it could only be walked with diversions and the danger of swampy underfoot conditions, what a boon for Bath! Well done everyone involved.”
by Dick, Bath
Friday, January 07 2011, 8:35AM
“What a marvellous achievement for all the people on the Two tunnels campaign? It just goes to show what can be done if you really believe in it.
I'm sure this route will be enjoyed by millions of cyclists, walkers, locals and tourists alike.
A big thank you to all those involved and I really do look forward to using the route when it is finished. Its been a long haul for the Two Tunnels campaigners and sorry to be obvious but......there is light at the end of the tunnel at last!
Hithangyaw.”
by Matthew Holbrook, Timsbury
Thursday, January 06 2011, 10:15PM
“It's great to see work starting up again on this exciting project. I look forward to being able to cycle into Bath on this new route via the Colliers' Way.”
by Nigel, Radstock
Thursday, January 06 2011, 7:23PM
“Hurrah!
Well done to the Two Tunnels campaigners for pushing this project forward against all odds. Heroes all.”
by Dave F., Walcot
Thursday, January 06 2011, 11:40AM
“This is great news.
Even if people don't need to use the full length of the route when completed, this will encourage more use of Linear Park, especially at this time of year when it gets a bit soggy underfoot.
Roll on the tunnel openings!”