The Two Tunnels project opened this weekend.

A shared path for cyclists and pedestrians has been created along the line of the Somerset & Dorset railway, through the eponymous two tunnels and over the Tucking Mill viaduct. The route also take in Linear Park, thus linking Oldfield Park, Bear Flat and Midford. At the Midford end the former railway line can be followed as the Colliers Way, an existing off-road route to Radstock and then Frome. One can also connect to the Kennet and Avon canal towpath to return to Bath. At the Oldfield Park end a link is shortly to be provided to the Bristol-Bath cycle path, also along a former railway line. £252,000 funding for this was announced last week by the Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker.

The project has taken several years to plan, fund and build. Both the Bath pigs and lions public art projects, devised by  Gitte Dawson, raised money for the scheme. Gitte, a former Liberal Democrat councillor, has since been awarded an MBE for her work. The opening day was a popular success with the route full of families walking and riding together. I visited on Thursday afternoon for a quieter experience.

For those of us living on Bathwick Hill the tunnels aren’t particularly practical, but I would argue are worth a special visit. Our nearest entry point is from the park on Bloomfield Road, just off the Wellsway. For cyclists, the route through Widcombe, Calton Gardens and up Holloway is probably best. Alternatively we can ride around on the canal towpath, turning off just before the Dundas aqueduct.

The main tunnel under Combe Down is a mile long, the longest open to cyclists in Britain. It is gently lit in a way which is quite beautiful as well as practical. Although noticeably colder than outside, the central part of the tunnel seems to retain its heat and has a still, slightly damp, atmosphere. Deep under Combe Down, the soft sound of a string quartet is barely audible cycling, but is spellbinding if one walks or stops altogether. The many speakers, each carrying a single part, are linked to coloured lights which pulse in time to their respective instrument. The effect is quite wonderful.

Liberal Democrats on BathNES Council are delivering a key election pledge: 20mph limits for residential streets.

Streets with 20mph limits are safer for other road users like pedestrians and cyclists. They are quieter and less polluted, benefiting residents and pedestrians alike. At 20mph drivers have more time to observe what is going on around them, and yet this will add less than a minute to the typical journey time. You can read more about the spread of 20mph zones to cities across the country at http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/.

In Bath, quiet residential streets like Minster Way, Sham Castle Lane, Sydney Buildings and Woodland Grove would benefit from the new limit. Through roads like Warminster Road and Pulteney Road will retain their 30mph limit. The change is being introduced gradually through the city in zones separated by the main roads. The first zone, Twerton and Whiteway, has been in operation for more than a year.

Each new zone proposed is subject to meaningful public consultation about the limit and roads to be included. Most zones have had overwhelming public support. However, Midsomer Norton Town Council did not support the limit, so it was not introduced in their town. The consultation reaches Bathwick this year.

The first area affected is the Bathwick Estate, including Darlington Road. Residents of the affected streets have been sent a map of the proposals and are invited to send back their comments by 12th April. As 20mph limits are designed to improve the environment of residential areas, only residents of the areas involved are invited to participate in each consultation. Consultations for the rest of Bathwick ward will begin later this year.