Two Tunnels Shared Path

A new link path for Bath and North East Somerset

Gains

• Provision of cycle/walking route with 'People friendly' gradients:
  • in short supply locally
  • valued by those who prefer gentle exercise to hill climbs
  • valued by people with a disability, who appreciate quality surfaces
• Improves the viability of the area's rural bus services, particularly off peak and at weekends
• A direct alternative to NCN 24 via the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath.
  • The current NCN24 from Bath is both circuitous and popular, as traffic free routes within the city of Bath are in short supply. The 'Two Tunnels shared path' would complement the existing route, and provides the opportunity to create an alternative access to NCN 24.
• Creation of a largely traffic free 'Short circular route' using the existing NCN24.
• Benefits to health through opportunity and space for exercise
• Benefits to the local economy, improved links between Bath and the surrounding area
• Conservation of historic route and structures. Here's a page with two images from this section when in use as a railway - taken from a train entering Devonshire Tunnel, and a second showing the sweeping curve on the fast descent between Tucking Mill and Midford.
• Recovery of derelict land
• This path would fit well with the developing Sustrans 'Fosse 2 project' - National Cycle Route 48 from Leicester to Bath, encouraging users not to treat Bath as a final destination on this route, with economic benefits to the Norton Radstock area. Though not on the Fosse Way, Midford marks the position of a ford on the roman road from Bath to Poole, the earthworks of which are still visible on the hillside south of Midford as viewed from the Sustrans path.

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