Two Tunnels Greenway

A new shared path for Bath and North East Somerset

Bath's 'Two Tunnels' Project

Now under construction, this shared-use path will re-use what was the most characterful part of one of the UK's most famous railways - burrowing beneath Combe Down - the high ground south of the city. This will create a dramatic yet gently sloping and direct route for people on foot or cycle south from the city.

The campaign for this was started by a local community group.

The route will be well-surfaced - an accessible path, giving space for anything from a short walk with friends, to a 13 mile largely traffic free 'Bath Half Marathon' circular route out to Dundas Aqueduct and then back via the canal towpath.

This will be a destination for touring cyclists from as far afield as mainland Europe, and will help bring visitors to Bath out from the city centre.

Progress: Work started to build the new Monksdale Road Bridge on 16th January 2012 - note that the work involves removing some of the trees from the embankments - read more about this on the bridges page. With the bridges in situ, native species saplings will be planted to replace those lost. The construction of the bridges will also bring short term closures to parts of Linear Park.

News: In late October 2011, Sustrans held a public display for local people on the proposal for ramped access to Lyncombe Vale Road from the Two Tunnels route. Here are the comments from local people left on comments forms and the Sustrans response.

The Two Tunnels route is being built by Sustrans working in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council. This web site is the work of the community group who originated the project and who campaign for the route. The route has widespread support among the local community and from further afield.

Sign up and join over 600 supporters -
at our 'Yahoogroup' mailing list.

Become a Sustrans  supporter.

Watch a two minute TV clip courtesy of ITV West  (9 megabytes - select the link and be prepared to wait while it downloads)

If you're on 'Facebook', join the Two Tunnels Facebook group . We need supporters from schools, colleges, athletics groups and the local universities - major users of the proposed path but under-represented on our own support group. Now that you've discovered this project, spread the word and help it to happen.

Forgotten assets can find new uses

The Kennet and Avon Canal through Bath was once derelict and unused. It's now a very popular destination and the activities that it generates support local businesses and jobs.

The Two Tunnels project is turning the most distinctive section of the Somerset and Dorset Railway from a linear liability into an asset. Old railway structures need maintenance - or demolition. This campaign has brought the funding to maintain them.

This approach has already rescued Midford Viaduct, now reused by NCN24, courtesy of a £163,000 grant from the Department for Transport. The recent restoration of Midford aqueduct, at a cost of £850,000 is another case in point - though the restored aqueduct has not yet actually found a purpose.

If you like the idea of the Two Tunnels route, you'll be pleased to know that it's now being built - but there's still time to join our mailing list and add your voice to our supporters.

Look at it this way

If this line had been opened fifty years earlier, we'd value it as part of Georgian Bath.

Instead, its structures are 'Blue-brick patchwork Victorian'. Unglamorous, the line carried millions of people to holidays on the south coast, carried the beer from Burton to Dorset, carried the coal that gave Bath the grimy black and silver appearance that many people will recall from the days before its buildings were cleaned.

It's as much a part of Bath's history as Pulteney Bridge, and as a national rail link, it was the stuff of legend, which makes its local neglect all the more unfortunate.

Here's some of the concerns we've heard along the way - and a section by section description of the route.

Support

Join our support group mailing list, it's free, and though the Two Tunnels route is in the build phase, you'll still help, just by signing up.

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