Two Tunnels Greenway
The 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; it will bring great benefits to Bath as a whole and to the residents of Widcombe through easy access to the network of cycle routes and, for some, a safer route to school. Nevertheless there are important issues that affect local residents, particularly in Lyncombe Vale. The potential problems include nuisance from misuse of the tunnels and track and increases in motor car traffic and parking in Lyncombe Vale. These are being addressed and WA, together with Greenway Lane Area Residents' Forum (Greenway!), meets regularly with Sustrans to review progress and ensure residents' concerns are met appropriately.
Public Meeting 22nd April, 2009
This meeting was convened by the WA in conjunction with the Greenway Lane Area Residents' Forum (GLARF), and was chaired by WA ChairmanRichard Wales; the GLARF Chairman, Martin Broadbent, being unavoidably unavailable. The meeting was well-attended not only by residents, but by Adrian Roper, Regional Director of Sustrans, who gave the formal presentation and fielded most of the questions; Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive of Sustrans; local councillors Ian Gilchrist and Brook Whelan; B&NES director for Planning and Transport Development David Trigwell, and police representatives Inspector Stephen Mildren and PC Malcolm Webley.
Main points raised by concerned residents concerned security, and increase in traffic and parking in the Lyncombe Vale area. These concerns were addressed by Adrian Roper, who said that the tunnels would have mobile phone reception, and in answer to a request from the floor, that the Devonshire tunnel would also be fitted with a cctv system, as well as the main Combe Down tunnel. Lights in the tunnels will be on all day, and have infra-red sensors at night. The tunnels would be gated during the construction phase , and in response to a query from the floor, Adrian said the gates could be retained, and moreover, on being pressed by Councillor Whelan, promised that there would be a written undertaking that the tunnels would be closed if necessary.
Most attending felt that the meeting had been a constructive one, with many residents' fears addressed. The WA and GLARF will continue to monitor progress and hold regular meetings with Sustrans.
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: