Two Tunnels Project - Update

The Two Tunnels Project has recently had their fifth Steering Group meeting, which is chaired by the Gitte Dawson, who has been a Lib Dem Cllr for Bathavon South.

Two Tunnels is now firmly part of the Sustrans Connect2 programme – the subject of a £50m Big Lottery Living Landmarks bid to be decided in a TV programme with televoting at the end of the year. The list of 70+ projects was finalised in March 2007.

Click here to find out more about Connect2 (and to pledge your support if you wish), and here for details of the Two Tunnels Greenway project itself.

A Lottery visit to Sustrans will happen in May – or has already happened – to confirm Connect2’s place on the six shortlisted Big Lottery pot projects. Following this, we will all be able officially to canvas support for the televote later in the year.

The Planning Application was submitted in mid-February and is now being evaluated. You can find out more here.

The document “Notes and Proposals” listed in fourth place amongst the associated documents gives you a good description of the route and what is involved. Paper copies are available from Sustrans. The application has attracted numerous comments – 135 comments in support of the proposal but also 35 raising concerns. Highways, Urban Design and Landscape officers have commented fully, requiring a great deal more information. Access to Western Riverside and the Bath-Bristol cycle route urgently needs to be considered. This is not part of the planning application as it is totally within BathNES’s remit. The Two Tunnels Group have evaluated and documented various options and a meeting is to take place between Highways, Planning and the Two Tunnels Group to decide on the best route, then safeguard it somehow from development until it can be implemented.

Fundraising

At least a further £400,000 needs to be found from sources other than the Lottery and the Council, and work has started on identifying possible sources for grants and finding a way of accepting donations whilst not being able to guarantee the success of the Connect2 Bid. Also, some fundraising events and possibly a membership scheme. Many ideas have already come forward.

The Two Tunnels Group are planning regular route walk/rides for anyone interested. They hope to do these at two-monthly intervals – dates as follows: 21st July; 22nd September; 24th November (and possibly Boxing Day). This is not through the tunnels but looking at the routes to the tunnel entrances – and demonstrating what steep hills will be avoided by opening the tunnels up.

Sustrans celebrate their 30th anniversary this July and are planning a huge cycle ride on 6th July (this one already fully booked however); on 7th July they are hoping to organise a walk/ride through Combe Down tunnel. This should be an exciting event, ending in a party in the city centre. More details nearer the time.

The next meeting is due to take place on Monday 9th July at 10:15a.m. at the Guildhall.