The first mile of the B4063 Gloucester-Cheltenham cycle route has been laid and dusted off. This cycle route will offer six miles of off-road track to cyclists and walkers travelling between the town and city and, in total, 26 miles of trackway between Stroud and Bishop’s Cleeve.
The cycle route has lots of benefits
Gloucester County Council believes that the route will ease congestion, lower traffic-related pollution and encourage more cycling and walking among commuters.
This first mile is the result of connecting the M5 overbridge at Staverton to Arle Court.
The next section will follow from Staverton bridge through Brickhampton Golf Course and Elmbridge Court Roundabout.
The 30mph speed limit will be staying in place along the B4063 while the construction work is going on.
Environmentalists are already fans
Cabinet minister for environment and planning, Cllr David Gray, thinks that this first mile being up and running (as it were) is great news. The construction, he says, shows that GCC is making real progress on the project and that the path will lead to big improvements in the county’s walking and cycling infrastructure. It will also, he says, reduce carbon emissions and improve public health.
Sarah Leeming, the director for the South of England at Sustains, which is partnering the scheme, is also delighted by the progress. She said that she was pleased to see the project moving forwards and that it would form part of Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone programme. This programme, supported by the Department for Transport, is aimed at improving the national Cycle Network.
The path will, she said, provide more options for cycling and walking, which will encourage people to leave the car in the garage and make an active commute to work or trip into town. Leeming also said she was looking forward to seeing people using and enjoying the new facility when it was completed.
