Traffic Movement
B&NES’ Cabinet member for transport, Cllr Joanna Wright, recently affirmed the Council’s plans to introduce Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Bath following concerns expressed by residents. Joanna stressed the need to reduce vehicle movement in response to the Climate Emergency declaration in an article on Somerset Live and in the Bath Chronicle dated 11th March.
The Alliance entirely agrees that traffic in Bath must be reduced. While we welcome LTNs, they are not primarily a traffic reduction measure. Traffic on the distributor road network, including in the central area of the city, will inevitably increase as a result of traffic displacement from LTNs. Some journeys will become more circuitous. The extent of possible ‘traffic evaporation’ is an unknown in Bath, with its lack of alternative routes, poor and expensive public transport, and steep hills which deter cycling.
The Alliance believes that a traffic movement plan is needed which reduces overall traffic in the city, removes inessential traffic from the centre, and addresses the impact of LTNs. Through traffic (which does nothing at all for Bath) should be reduced, and private car use should be discouraged through parking control and traffic management, complemented by better and more affordable public transport. We hope that the emerging Bath Transport Delivery Action Plan (BTDAP) will address these issues – see our comments on the BTDAP consultation on our website here.
Yes, the LTN element is about reducing traffic movement – and that’s the big picture. LNs will contribute to this bigger picture by encouraging residents in all neighbourhoods to walk and cycle by making their journeys through several neighbourhoods more healthy, safe and pleasant. At peak times this will reduce commuting car-trips and school-runs and make bus some bus journeys easier and more resident friendly. I’d be so glad to see more people travelling along my road – albeit out of their cars. Why does the Alliance and others narrow this debate down to an argument about displacement? If this project was likely only to be a ‘zero-sum gain’ then I would not bother writing this comment! I think most Alliance members want to see as many people as possible moving in and out and around the city whilst using as little fossil fuel as possible. What proposals have the Alliance leadership got for that?
The answer to the question “What proposals does the Alliance leadership have?” is – read the Alliance manifesto, which offers a template to guide the development of a comprehensive transport delivery plan for Bath to address mobility, congestion, air quality and emissions.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) will inevitably displace traffic onto the distributor road network, adding to the already serious congestion and air pollution. Some car drivers may take to their feet, their bicycle or a bus, but the vast majority will stay in their cars and seek out alternative routes. As Cllr. Jo Wright states in the Chronicle of 11 March, LTNs will actually lead to more circuitous, longer, journeys. A comprehensive plan is needed to reduce traffic in Bath in line with the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration, and which also addresses the displacement of traffic from LTNs.