Bath and North East Somerset is preparing to see major work on one of its principal arterial routes after confirmation that improvements along the A4 between Saltford and Bath will start in Autumn 2026 and are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028.
What the scheme will deliver
The scheme, being taken forward by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES), is billed as investment in sustainable transport along the corridor. According to a letter published in a local letters page, the project will deliver:
- shared-use paths for walking and cycling;
- bus stop upgrades to improve access and facilities;
- improved pedestrian crossings to aid safety and connectivity;
- additional bus lanes aimed at speeding up public transport journeys.
Officials say residents and businesses will be contacted directly with details of the works and any temporary diversions required while construction is underway.
Local response and changes to the original plan
The letter notes that changes have been made to the original scheme following feedback gathered in a consultation held late last year. A consultation report has been referenced by local campaigners and residents, signalling that community input influenced the final design and phasing. The published timetable gives a clear window for delivery but not a detailed phasing plan; those details will be shared with affected parties as they are finalised.
Community and culture in the meantime
While the transport scheme is being planned, Bath’s community organisations have been active in cultural and environmental engagement. The Climate Hub, based in the Old Ticket Office at Bath Bus Station, hosted the Coat of Hopes on its pilgrimage through Britain. The hub reported a strong public response to the display.
"The Coat of Hopes is an ever-evolving, community-created patchwork coat on a pilgrimage through Britain,"
The coat, described in the letter as visually striking and stitched with thousands of patches representing hopes, griefs and wishes, had walked 2,235 miles to reach Bath. Local people contributed embroidered patches during a mending and sewing event at the hub, and volunteers took the garment on what the hub described as a "sacred tour" of Bath.
The Climate Hub expressed gratitude to the teams at Bath Abbey and The Roman Baths for permitting visits during a busy Sunday, and said the visit coincided with a record-breaking heatwave — a timely reminder of the climate and ecological emergency that the Coat is intended to highlight.
What residents should expect next
For road users, businesses and residents who use the A4 corridor, the key dates to note are the project start in Autumn 2026 and completion by the end of 2028. Short-term impacts are likely to include temporary diversions and local disruption at different phases of the work, but the scheme aims to improve sustainable transport options and bus journey times in the longer term.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Partners | WECA and Bath & North East Somerset Council |
| Location | A4 between Saltford and Bath |
| Start | Autumn 2026 |
| Completion | End of 2028 |
As plans move from consultation to construction, local groups and commuters will watch closely. The combined focus on active travel and bus improvements follows wider regional aims to reduce car dependency and improve air quality, but the success of the project will rest on how disruption is managed and how effectively new infrastructure is used once in place.
Meanwhile, the Coat of Hopes’ visit shows how community arts and environmental messages continue to engage people across Bath, bringing together residents, religious and heritage sites and volunteers to reflect on shared concerns about climate and community resilience.
