The South Glos Post

A series of public exhibitions has been arranged on proposals for upgrades to a cycle route as part of the Cycling City project in South Gloucestershire.

There are a number of improvements proposed for the Ring Road cycle path between Dramway Roundabout (junction with B4465 Shortwood Hill) and the Bristol City Council boundary in the vicinity of Southmead Hospital. This off-road path is known as Route 7.

The exhibitions will take place from Monday 8 February to Monday 22 February at the Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, Sainsburys in Emersons Green and the University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus where the public can view plans and information on the route. The exhibitions will be on display during opening hours.

Cllr Brian Allinson, executive member for Planning, Transportation and Strategic Environment said: “This route is just one of a number of schemes, some of which are nearing completion, in the Cycling City Project. It is important that these schemes go through a consultation process in order for the public to have their say so that the routes can reflect what the public want and need. We are looking forward to hearing residents’ opinions on these proposals.”

Planned work on the route includes:

• widening existing footways to allow shared-use
• improved signing
• safe level crossing points at key areas along the route

In 2008 South Gloucestershire Council, jointly with Bristol City Council, were chosen as Britain’s first Cycling City.

The proposals form part of the routes in South Gloucestershire included in the Cycling City Project which will implement safe, continuous, attractive, comfortable and coherent routes across the project area.

The plans are available at www.southglos.gov.uk/consultation. For further information please ring 01454 863640 or email cycleforum@southglos.gov.uk.

Construction work has started on the first new cycle route to be built as part of the Cycling City project in South Gloucestershire.

Route 12, (Eastern Link to UWE – Phase 1), connects Frenchay Hospital with the University of the West of England via Filton Road and will eventually extend to Downend and Staple Hill.

Improvements on the route involve upgrading and linking existing cycle facilities, including widening sections of footway to shared cycle / pedestrian use, installing advisory and mandatory cycle lanes in the carriageway and improving crossing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. Further routes are planned to be built over the next two years.

The new route forms part of 18 in South Gloucestershire included in the Cycling City project. In 2008 South Gloucestershire Council, jointly with Bristol City Council, were chosen as Britain’s first Cycling City.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: “We have engaged closely with local communities on the detail of how to make this route safe and convenient. The new infrastructure that we will be putting in as part of this cycle route will link residents’ homes with where they work, go to school, shop and take part in leisure activities.

“We hope that once the work is completed, we will have enthused people, and helped them to discover how easy it is to take up cycling and the whole new way of life that cycling opens up to them. This will not only have both health and cost benefits for those that cycle, but motorists should also benefit from less traffic congestion and safer roads.”

For further information on the Cycling City project visit www.southglos.gov.uk/cycling, telephone 01454 863640 or email cycleforum@southglos.gov.uk.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council