Plans unveiled for cycling and walking improvements - including in Bradley Stoke and Almondsbury

A new two-way cycle track through Bradley Stoke is proposed as part of transport improvements planned for the region by South Gloucestershire Council. The authority has launched a consultation on its new plans following feedback last year.

The Thornbury to North Bristol Sustainable Transport Corridor project aims to enhance walking, cycling, wheeling, and bus travel. It has now reached the stage where detailed plans have been drawn out for the public to comment on.

They include a two-way cycle track with a separate footway on Bradley Stoke Way between Aztec West and Great Stoke Roundabout. This would be created by widening the existing shared-use path.

A new southbound bus lane approaching Savages Wood Roundabout, next to Tesco, and improved crossings have also been put forward.

The project is also proposing a two-way cycle track on the footway on the A38 between Almondsbury and Alveston, plus a new southbound bus lane approaching Hortham Lane on the A38.

There would also be a reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph between Almondsbury and Woohouse Down at the BP garage.

One of the reasons for the improvements is because cycle design policy states there should be separation between cycle paths and walkways.

South Gloucestershire Council will be hosting two drop-in sessions for people to learn more about the proposals, meet the project team and ask questions. The sessions are on at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre on February 27, from 3pm to 7pm, and at Jubilee Hall in Alveston on March 8, from 4pm to 6pm.

There will also be a further online session on March 9, from 12pm to 1pm.

This is phase one of the project, with a second requiring further design work to be unveiled in the summer. After the consultations, a business case will be made to the West of England Combined Authority for funding, with construction scheduled to start in 2024.

Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member responsible for transport at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “It’s really important that we get the views of people who live, work or travel through the area as they will influence the steps we take to encourage sustainable travel.

“We are preparing for the local impact of climate change and an important part of our response is to provide improvements for walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport. We are working hard to help set-up sustainable alternatives to encourage more people to get out of their motorised vehicles more often.”

The project is funded by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) through its £540 million City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement Fund.

Dan Norris, Metro Mayor for the West of England, said: “Please do come forward with your views on these early-stage ideas for bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, cycling facilities, and more so they can be developed, changed and improved.

“It needs to be as easy as possible for residents to be able to hop on a bus or walk and cycle their way around Thornbury, Bradley Stoke, and across our brilliant West of England region. I hope measures like these will help cut traffic jams and enable us to make progress towards our really ambitious net-zero targets locally.”

For further information or to participate in the feedback survey visit www.southglos.gov.uk/a38-phase1. The consultation is open until midnight on Sunday 19 March, 2023.