Two Tunnels Greenway
The recent award to Sustrans to develop cycle- and walkways around Britain means that the development of the two tunnels - the Devonshire Tunnel and the Combe Down Tunnel- from Bath to Midford and beyond should go ahead.
This is an exciting project which deserves our support, but the WA believes that despite the benefits the scheme could bring to Bath, this should not be at the expense of local residents. The issues of security for those who use the tunnels and quality of life for local residents, particularly in Lyncombe Vale, are important. There are issues including potential noise, nuisance and increases in car traffic and parking in connection with the use of the new pathway which will have to be addressed and which the WA will be keen to monitor.
Perhaps we should remember that when Rossiter Road was created, many campaigned for traffic to continue along Claverton St to avoid it becoming a backwater. History shows that this was a mistake. We know that there have been many problems with antisocial behaviour along the disused railway line and in the tunnels in the past, so perhaps we should bear this in mind and be careful not to ignore history.
For further information, visit the Sustrans website:
To see how the scheme fits in the broader cycle network:
http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/schemes/project_detail.php?id=2
And for more detail on the Two Tunnels Greenway: