Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body has announced the launch of the consultation for its Draft Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), now available on its website for public consultation. Please visit https://westerngatewaystb.org.uk/sip-consultation/ and view the main document listing strategic travel priories for our area here.
The consultation period began on 20 December 2024, and will remain open until 2 February 2025. They have invited individuals and organisations to participate and share their feedback.
What is Western Gateway?
Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body (STB), is the sub-national transport body for Bath and North East Somerset Council, BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole), Bristol City Council, Dorset Council, Gloucestershire County Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Wiltshire Council and the West of England Combined Authority.
Saltford is in the Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES Council) area which is part of the West of England Combined Authority. As such some proposals made in the Western Gateway consultation include those for our area, which is why this consultation may be of interest to residents.
Western Gateway is running a public consultation on its draft Strategic Investment Plan – more details are as follows.
Purpose of the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP)
The purpose of the SIP is to achieve the aims and objectives of Western Gateway’s adopted Strategic Transport Plan (STP) and to provide a list of prioritised investment proposals for the region, including some that may impact Saltford and areas nearby.
There is a video on the Western Gateway consultation webpage titled ‘What is the SIP’ which provides further information.
Public Engagement Exercise Documents
Residents and organisations can find the full Draft SIP, the Sustainability Appraisal reports, the short promotional video and other supporting documents on Western Gateway’s website.
Join a Webinar
Western Gateway is running a series of webinars in January 2025. Tickets are available on their webpage, and are taking place Thursday 16 January 12-1pm and Thursday 16 January 6-7pm (links to EventBrite page).
(Update 14 Jan): To accommodate more participants, Western Gateway have announced an additional session on:
Friday, 17th January at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Please register for the additional session using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1150575715939?aff=oddtdtcreator.
How to have your say
- The direct link to the consultation survey is available online on Western Gateway’s Have Your Say consultation and engagement platform.
- By post – residents can request a paper copy of the feedback survey from Western Gateway by emailing westerngatewaystb@westofengland-ca.gov.uk with your name and postal address. They will then post you the survey free of charge along with a pre-paid envelope.
For any other project related queries, during the public engagement exercise or after, please contact Western Gateway using the details below.
Western Gateway STB Team
E: WesternGatewaySTB@WestOfEngland-CA.gov.uk
A: 70 Redcliff Street, Bristol, BS1 6AL
X: @WestGatewaySTB
Linkedin: Western Gateway STB
Saltford Parish Council’s view on the Western Gateway Consultation
Saltford Parish Council will not meet until after the consultation end date, and due to the pre-election period (for the B&NES Council Saltford Ward Councillor election) was unable to have this item on its January agenda.
The Parish Council agreed that SPC would look to delegate powers to the Clerk to respond to the consultation, in line with its Scheme of Delegation and that following consultation would be based on previously resolved views made by Saltford Parish Council.
The response submitted will make reference to the Bus corridor package in Bath (which includes the A4 to Keynsham/Bristol) only, which is listed as priority 25. SPC will respond by submitting a summary in line with the Parish Council’s resolved response to the West of England Combined Authority’s ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation from Autumn 2023, likely to be similar to the following:
Saltford Parish Council strongly objects to the proposals for changes to the highway as outlined for Saltford and the Keynsham Bypass (bar the Esso garage crossing) and its view is that they provide no transport benefit to Saltford residents.
The proposals would result in a significant loss of amenity, worsening of air quality, significant safety issues (for those in vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians), increased congestion on the A4 in Saltford and residential roads, negatively impact ‘active travel’ incentive, and come at huge expense to residents of Saltford and its businesses.
Saltford Parish Council specifically opposes the proposal for two bus lanes the length of the Keynsham Bypass due to the negative impact on Saltford for a theoretical minimal gain in speed for some buses along the bypass which would be more than offset by other impacts of the proposal.
Saltford Parish Council recognises the value of measures to reduce the volume of vehicles on the A4 and to support the use of public transport. However, the proposals as put forward in WECA’s 2023 consultation would both fail to significantly contribute to these aims and would measurably disadvantage Saltford residents as well as commuters from Bristol, Bath, Keynsham, etc.
The Parish Council would welcome a greater overall and sustainable commitment to the provision of affordable public transport, especially for commuters and young people. This would entail the continued provision of a regular, reliable X39 bus service at affordable prices to encourage and maintain greater use. It also welcomes proposals to fully upgrade existing bus stops, but this should apply to all bus stops in the Saltford area and not restricted to the ones selected in the proposals.
Saltford Parish Council would also value information from WECA on its plans for investment in e-mobility, including both financial support for electric buses and associated infrastructure required. SPC views e-buses as faster and better for air quality, achieving aspects aimed for in the proposals. SPC views lack of inclusion on proposed e-mobility infrastructure, and clearly stated engagement with key partners e.g. National Grid, as a glaring omission.
For a true scalable and integrated transport system, Saltford Parish Council is resolute that a greater utilisation of the GWR and MetroWest railway service is the obvious choice and solution to achieving the aims the proposals seek, supported by the re-opening of stations like Saltford Station and offering train travel at affordable prices. Reopening Saltford Station must be an integral part of any consultation and package to address road congestion and pollution on the A4 Bath to Bristol Corridor.
Western Gateway is requested to view a copy of Saltford Parish Council’s full response to the WECA ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ consultation as submitted in autumn 2023 which provides more detail to the above at https://www.saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Saltford-Parish-Council-response-A4-BATH-TO-BRISTOL-CONSULTATION-Sept-2023-FINAL.pdf
SPC’s response will be submitted to Western Gateway by the end date of 2 February 2025.
The Parish Council’s response will also be reported at SPC’s February meeting, in line with the Scheme of Delegation.
Details about SPC’s meetings, including agendas and minutes, can be found on its ‘Meetings – Agendas and Minutes‘ page.
