The Twerton and Newbridge routes share the same track from the City Centre to Windsor Bridge Road. They leave the City Centre Circle south of Kingsmead Square and rejoin it in the square itself.
Because of this, Westgate Buildings becomes
the only part of the City Centre Circle not served by every route
and is an unsuitable place for a tram stop. At present it is used
for a number of bus stops and these could stay in place; access
to the trams being provided at one or other end of the street
where all routes are present
The Twerton and Newbridge routes continue along James Street West,
and across Charles Street. Alternative routes are possible from
here, through the Western Riverside area,
depending on the way the site is developed.
The Western Riverside Development is a very important area to Bath, the current plans include industry, residences, retail outlets and places of entertainment. Having two main tramway services passing through it, with connections to the whole of Bath, will be very beneficial for the area and for the tramway system. If the tramway is installed early in the development process and is built as a network to the whole of Bath, not just as a corridor, it will be a major stimulus to rapid regeneration of the area.
The Riverside alignment also avoids running the Twerton tramway
along a part of the Lower Bristol Road which is often subjected
to traffic jams and which serves very few households or businesses.
On reaching Windsor Bridge Road, the Twerton and Weston routes
diverge. The Twerton route goes straight across Windsor Bridge
Road into the industrial estate opposite.
Turning south, it crosses the Lower Bristol
Road. at a junction controlled by traffic lights synchronised
with those at the southern end of Windsor Bridge Road, and joins
the old S &D railway alignment behind Bellotts Road.
After crossing the G.W.Railway main line on the existing railway
bridge, a sharp turn to the west takes the track into a small
estate of modern houses leading to King Georges Road. Two houses
may have to be purchased and demolished to allow sufficient room
for this.
Crossing Lansdown View, the track continues
westwards along a footpath and northwards through back access
roads to join the eastern end of Twerton High Street near the
Electricity Board yard.
From here a double track through Twerton High Street, mixing with
ordinary traffic, becomes a single line reserved track in the
grass verge on the southern side of Newton Road, to the terminus
beyond Shaws Way.