Work had started on the new cycle path through Royal Victoria Park
Work on a controversial £2.35m cycle path has been paused after a council revoked its own permission to build it.
Bath and North East Somerset Council began work on the cycle lane at Royal Victoria Park in Bath on 19 October despite objections from people concerned about the safety of it.
However, on 22 October the council revoked the formal order permitting the scheme as it admitted it had missed a major objection because of a "technical and administrative oversight".
Councillor Lucy Hodge said: "We are putting this right by reviewing the decision, with the previously omitted objection considered alongside all other objections received."
Biker killed in crash was 'caring and loving'
'Beloved cats need more protection from drivers'
Theatres at risk and fighting back across the West
The new lane would have run along a one-way 10mph (16km/h) road that circles the park as part of a 3.7-mile (6km) cycle route between Weston and Bath City Centre.
Local resident Josephine Vercoe joined a protest that gathered to oppose the lane on Sunday.
She said the path was "dangerous" and "not necessary".
Vercoe said: "I'm an extremely keen cyclist. I cycle virtually everywhere so I'm not against cycling.
"What I am against is putting people's lives at risk.
"If you cycle down here downhill in a 10mph speed limit, unless you are very seriously braking, you will be cycling at 20 or 30mph."
Josephine Vercoe said the path was "dangerous" and "not necessary"
Teenager Max Hirst agreed that it was not safe.
"The cycle lane is going in the opposite direction to traffic and when it's wet and slippy, cyclists could quite easily come off their bikes and run people over down here," said the 14-year-old who lives in Newbridge.
Gerry Scallan, who lives in Fairfield Park, said he did not think the path was money well spent.
"It's not needed," he said.
"It's destroying the park. It's an absolute disaster zone."
Sevim Sangwell said the cycle path was a "total waste of time"
Cyclist Sevim Sangwell described the path as "a total waste of time, waste of money and resources".
She said: "This is already a safe cycling route, so there's no need for this."
Hodge said the council would review the decision before a new plan could be made.
"Meanwhile, work on footways and lighting which were approved under separate Traffic Regulation Orders is progressing in the park," she said.
"Precautionary measures are in place to ensure we protect tree roots as we install the new lighting columns and an arboriculturalist is on site to oversee the work".
Your Voice
Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Opposition to plan for £2.35m park cycle route
Cycle path aims to teach road rules to children
Group aiming to improve accessibility to parks
BANES
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Brazil's left-wing President Lula wins fourth term but rival Flávio Bolsonaro rejects result
Watch: How President Lula turned it around to beat Flávio Bolsonaro
Chris Brown given suspended eight-month prison sentence over London nightclub attack
Daughter wins £127k claim for caring for mum at home
Is 'ferritin face' a real thing – and can you really spot low iron from looks?
Knighting Sinfield 'easiest decision anyone's had to make,' says Prince William
What have Man Utd changed to turn around WSL form?
Sharon Osbourne: 'I visit Ozzy's grave every day'
How a movement of students brought down Serbia's Vučić
Watch: How President Lula turned it around to beat Flávio Bolsonaro. Video
What is the Budget and what could be in it?
US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter
The hotly-anticipated second series is here
Catch up with what the jury heard on day ten of the trial
Watch the performance everyone's talking about
Celia Imrie tells of her near arrest
Daughter wins £127k claim for caring for mum at home
Healey to shield low-income pensioners from income tax in the Budget
Storm Boelo leaves 90,000 without power as Met Office issues new wind warning
Consultant doctors in England to strike next month
Knighting Sinfield 'easiest decision anyone's had to make,' says Prince William
Photos show potholes days before fatal crash
Celebrations in Serbia after veteran ruler Vučić loses election to student-led protest movement
Is 'ferritin face' a real thing – and can you really spot low iron from looks?
Australian murderer loses bid to eat Vegemite in prison
Eric Bauza, voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, dies aged 46
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
