Latest proposals for a new riverside park connecting Bath’s green spaces via a walking and cycling route will be unveiled at a webinar on Friday.
Bath & North East Somerset Council will be presenting plans for the western section of the Bath River Line project – from Newbridge to Green Park – following public feedback gathered on the website in March and April.
The project aims to develop a landscape masterplan for the linear park, which will follow a 10km stretch of the River Avon from Batheaston to Newbridge.
The park will reveal lesser-known parts of the river, connect communities and create a high-quality route for walking and cycling, encouraging more people to explore the city in a sustainable way.
Wildlife found along the river will be celebrated and protected by improving their habitats.
More than 400 comments were received on the Bath River Line website after people were invited to view an interactive map, share their opinions on the proposed route and submit their memories and photographs of the river.
The webinar, on Friday, May 21, at 5.30pm, will hear from a panel with representatives from Bristol-based urban design practice Streets Reimagined, London landscape architects Churchman Thornhill Finch and the council’s environment and design team.
Deputy council leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, Sarah Warren, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us comments and ideas on the interactive maps.
“Our webinar will focus on how proposals have now developed for the western section of the park, before we explore the other sections in detail in the coming months.
“This is an exciting project for Bath that will encourage people to explore more of the area sustainably on foot or by bike.”
A question-and-answer session at the webinar and feedback via the River Line website will be used to further develop and refine the designs before the final scheme is presented in August.
Following this, a full business case to secure further funding will be submitted to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) by the council.
The idea for Bath River Line came from the WaterSpace Project, a collaboration between the council, the Canal and Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency and Bath-based Wessex Water.
Published in 2017, the WaterSpace Study identified a series of projects to revitalise the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal waterways for people and nature. WECA invested £150,000 to progress the project in 2019.
Click here to register for the webinar. It will also be available to view afterwards on the council’s YouTube channel
For more information on the WaterSpace Project and to read the original study, click here
