TWO projects to improve walking and cycling have been awarded a share of £3.5 million in funding for ‘active travel’ schemes in the region.
The West of England Combined Authority has allocated £50,000 to design “better walking routes” between Staple Hill and Kingswood, including crossings and wider footways.
The authority is allocating another £50,000 to design better cycling routes, including improved lighting, alongside the Avon Ring Road between Bristol Parkway and the Bristol & Bath Science Park.
A further £230,000 will be spent on 21 new cycle hangars, similar to one installed in Fountain Square, Staple Hill, to provide lockable storage for up to 126 more bikes – adding to the 85 hangars (20 in Bath & North East Somerset, 55 in Bristol, and 10 in South Gloucestershire) recently funded by the regional authority and installed by local councils;
And £250,000 will be spent on six new Schools Streets where cars are banned during pick-up and drop-off times to make travelling to school on foot or two wheels safer for parents and children.
Two of the School Streets will be in South Gloucestershire, but a council spokesperson said no decision has been taken yet on which schools will be involved.
Details of the Staple Hill to Kingswood walking route and A4174 design have also not yet been finalised, although the spokesperson said the latter scheme was not related to the work currently under construction between the Wick Wick roundabout and Abbey Wood.
Both are related to the West of England Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure plan, which was drawn up after consultations in 2020 and identified £400m of potential investment.
South Gloucestershire Council leader Maggie Tyrrell and co-leader Ian Boulton said: “These investments are a testament to our efforts to promote healthier and more inclusive ways to travel.
“Our investments will focus on improving existing cycle routes on the A4174 ring road, school street schemes and developing preliminary designs to remove pinch points, prevent footway parking, widen footways, and improve crossing points between Staple Hill and Kingswood.
“Staple Hill and Kingswood are key local centres for our community. By focusing on people-centred travel, we aim to create a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable environment, making enhancements to the bustling high streets.”
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin said: “Walking, cycling, and wheeling are an important part of how people get around, with real health benefits.
“Getting the basics right now will lay the foundations for a better transport system overall for the West of England.
“We secured £752 million for that next stage in the recent Spending Review. That means that the West can get out of the slow lane on transport and start to catch up with other city-regions.”
Metro Mayor: Page 37