By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There will be no work on the controversial Gloucester cycle path south of the city centre until the route is reviewed as more than 350 people have now backed calls for a re-think.
Highways chiefs at Gloucestershire County Council say they are listening to public concerns over the latest stretch of the 26-mile cycle spine plan which aims to connect Stroud to Bishop’s Cleeve via Gloucester and Cheltenham.
And “there will be no spades in the ground” according to sustainable transport cabinet member Roger Whyborn until the council has “properly reviewed the proposals”.
This is the latest pledge from council chiefs after around 130 people packed a public meeting organised by Labour MP Alex McIntyre at City Church Gloucester in Seymour Road last month.
The serious concerns over the preferred route for the next stretch from St Ann Way to Cole Avenue sparked serious concerns from locals who fear it will lead to a huge loss of parking spaces in an already busy area.
Road safety is another worry and the meeting heard how a cyclist was recently knocked off their bike while cycling in the Oval.
The council’s preferred route involves going via Stroud Road, which would be made one-way, King Edward’s Avenue, The Oval, through Tuffley Park, Podsmead Place, Laburnum Road, Podsmead
Road and alongside Cole Avenue, where it would link to Tuffley Lane.
More than 350 people have since signed a petition which calls on Shire Hall to reconsider the current proposals and work with residents to find a safer and more appropriate solution.
And council chiefs, who pledged at the meeting the route would be reviewed, have now confirmed no construction work will go ahead until this is done.
City MP Alex McIntyre said residents attended the cycle spine public meeting last month to make their feelings clear to council chiefs and the petition echoes what was said at the meeting.
“Residents are not opposed to investment in cycling infrastructure, but this route has the potential to cause more problems than it solves,” he said.
“I have worked with residents at every step of the way and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months. It is absolutely essential that residents’ voices are heard and that the county council look again at their plans.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Roger Whyborn (Benhall and Up Hatherley) said the council has heard the concerns raised by residents particularly around parking and the impact on the local area.
“We are not an administration that will press ahead with a scheme simply because plans have already been drawn up. When residents raise legitimate concerns, it is our job to listen and act,” he said.
“I can confirm that there will be no spades in the ground until we have properly reviewed the proposals.
“This is not a consultation in name only; all options remain firmly on the table. As part of the review, we will carry out a comprehensive survey of parking pressures, looking at demand at different times of the day.
“We will also continue to explore alternative routes and designs, while working with residents, cyclists and those who would like to cycle more to develop a design that works for the whole community.
“We remain committed to delivering a cycle spine and the benefits it can bring, giving people more choice in how they travel, supporting healthier lifestyles and making walking, cycling and rolling safer and more practical options.
“But better cycling infrastructure should not come at the expense of the communities it is designed to serve. We are committed to getting the balance right, delivering the benefits of a cycle spine while keeping the impact on residents to an absolute minimum.”