Gloucestershire cycle route plans get £8.2m boost
Plans by Gloucestershire County Council to deliver a 26-mile ‘cycle spine’ have been given a £8.2m boost.
The grant has been made available through the Active Travel Fund from the Department of Transport.
This month the council has been awarded £5,365,000 of Active Travel Funding. This is in addition to £2,900,000 secured in a previous round of funding, making a total of £8,265,000 to invest into cycling and walking infrastructure.
The planned cycle spine extends from Stroud to Bishops Cleeve and will pass through Gloucester and Cheltenham, creating a cycling and walking network through the county.
Funding has already been committed to a new flagship walking and cycling route along the B4063, linking Gloucester to Cheltenham. Work has been progressing well, with the first phase between Arle Court roundabout and M5 Overbridge, Staverton, completed.
The latest funding award will include community involvement in the development of the schemes and will be used to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the following areas:
£5.365million – Estcourt Road Roundabout to Elmbridge Court Roundabout (spread over three phases)
£1.8million – Estcourt Road Roundabout to Gloucester Docks
£1.1million – Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve
It comes in addition to £14.1 million in active travel funding awarded to the county council by the DfT last year from the previous active travel funding allocation, to support the Gloucester Cycle Spine and the Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve walking and cycling route.
David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “It’s brilliant news that the Department for Transport has made this award to Gloucestershire. It will help the council to deliver key sections of our ambitious 26-mile cycle spine for the county.
“The award is recognition of the council’s record of not only planning but delivering such sustainable transport schemes. It is another major step towards realising our vision for a greener and healthier future for our residents by providing sustainable options for active travel.”
