Built by Sustrans between 1979 and 1986, the Bristol Bath Railway Path is a pioneering first sector of the National Cycle Network Cycle Route. It passes through the Green Belt that separates the cities.
The 3m wide track is built on a section of railway line abandoned under the Beeching cuts. The path maintains the transport resource while keeping it away from other development and encouraging its development in biodiversity.
Attempts by the local authority to bring it into the bus route network have been repeatedly resisted. The route gives a green pathway from both cities into the Green Belt: many existing railway lines are bordered by spare land that could also provide such routes.
Clients: The Rutland Group, London Borough of Hounslow, and Hanover Property Unit Trust
All images courtesy of Sustrans
This project is part of 'Beyond the Green Belt'
