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A guide to the Movement Strategy for Bath

The Movement Strategy for Bath is a 10-year blueprint to transform how we move around Bath. It’s designed to help us meet our climate goals, improve public spaces, and make travel safer and more accessible for everyone.

Why it matters

In 2019, B&NES Council declared a Climate Emergency. Transport accounts for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in our area. The Movement Strategy is a key part of our response, supporting our ambition to be net zero and nature positive.

What it is

The Movement Strategy for Bath proposes a new way of thinking about how we move around Bath. It sets out how we can rebalance the use of our streets, prioritise sustainable transport, and create an equitable network that works for residents, businesses, and visitors.

It builds on the 2021 Journey to Net Zero Strategy, which identified pathways to reduce emissions, including:

  • 7% decrease in the number of car journeys across the local authority area
  • 25% reduction in kilometres travelled per person by car each year
  • Electric cars: 76% pure battery, 14% petrol hybrid
  • Buses: 76% electric, 24% hybrid
  • Rail: 37% of freight rail is electric, 100% passenger rail is electric

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Our goals

We're working towards three interconnected goals:

  • Create great quality places: Greener, people-friendly streets and public spaces
  • Improve travel choices: Better options for walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport
  • Reduce vehicle traffic volumes: Less congestion, more reliable journeys and cleaner air

These goals support each other. For example, reducing traffic makes walking and cycling more attractive, which in turn improves public health and the environment.

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What it will achieve

By 2035, the Movement Strategy aims to deliver:

  • Improved air quality and public health
  • Better public spaces and green infrastructure
  • Reduced transport-related impacts on Bath's World Heritage Site
  • More reliable journeys and better connectivity
  • Support for local businesses and the visitor economy

Who it's for

The strategy is designed to meet the needs of everyone—residents, workers, students, visitors, and people with mobility challenges. It recognises that:

  • 17% of Bath residents are aged 65+
  • 16% are disabled
  • 20% of households don't have access to a car

We're committed to creating a transport system that is inclusive, accessible and safe for all.

Read our full Movement Strategy for Bath