Officials to decide on CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit TeleVision) for 'Wild West' path

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About 22 cameras could be installed between the Staple Hill tunnel and Warmley on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path

A decision on whether to install CCTV on part of a cycle path described as the "Wild West" by one robbery victim is set to be made in the coming weeks, a council has said.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to install 20 cameras on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path between the Staple Hill tunnel and the old Mangotsfield railway station, with two more at Warmley Waiting Room.

It comes after nine incidents along the South Gloucestershire section of the path were reported to Avon and Somerset Police in 2025. The force said issues were not always reported.

Following a consultation, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is expected to make a decision on the proposals by 29 January.

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There were nine reports of anti-social and suspicious behaviour on the South Gloucestershire section of the path in 2025

Maths tutor Rowan Brunswick, 35, was robbed at knifepoint in 2024 and said the path is like the "Wild West" at night. Brunswick, whose bike was stolen during the incident, previously welcomed the council's plans.

According to police, there were nine reports of anti-social and suspicious behaviour along the section which runs through South Gloucestershire in 2025. These included:
- One report of youths with a suspected stolen motorbike
- One report of a bicycle being stolen
- One assault between schoolchildren
- One report of youths riding at speed on an e-bike
- One report of drug use
- One report of stolen property damaged and abandoned
- Three reports of suspicious behaviour

A police spokesperson said the force was aware of concerns about safety "especially during the darker evenings".

"South Gloucestershire neighbourhood police carry out routine patrols of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path," they added. "We'd encourage anyone who uses the path to report any incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour as soon as possible."

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A police spokesperson said issues on the cycle path were not always reported

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said the 2025 consultation on an improvement project for the path "generated a strong level of interest".

"We would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond and attend our drop-in events," they added. "After carefully reviewing all the responses, we submitted a full business case to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority just before Christmas. We expect a decision on funding for these improvements in the coming weeks."