Planning permission has been granted for a new off-road greenway, including a two-way cycle track with segregated footpath, along Alveston Hill in South Gloucestershire.
The greenway will run through fields from the B4061 Alveston Hill/Thornbury Road to Thornbury Leisure Centre, providing a convenient and safe walking, wheeling (the use of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs) and cycling route, enabling local journeys between Thornbury and Alveston.
Currently those who choose to walk between the two communities must use Public Rights of Way through farmland where animals graze. These footpaths are not surfaced, so are difficult for pedestrians in the winter months. Cyclists making the same journey have no option but to use Thornbury Road and Alveston Hill, which is narrow and steep and has no dedicated cycle lane. The narrow footpath alongside the road is also substandard for pedestrians and unsuitable for those wheeling or using pushchairs.
The new high quality, safe route will enable more people to make the choice to switch to active travel, helping to reduce traffic and congestion along the B4061 between Alveston and Thornbury.
The 712-metre greenway will connect with proposals for improving walking, wheeling and cycling facilities on the B4061 Alveston Hill/Thornbury Road and existing route from Thornbury Leisure Centre to Streamleaze.
Councillor Chris Willmore, cabinet member with responsibility for transport at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I am delighted that this scheme has been granted planning. We are determined to make walking, wheeling and cycling safe and accessible for all people, of all abilities.
“The current situation on Alveston Hill for people walking, wheeling or cycling is perilous, as well as being precarious for motorists who encounter someone cycling on those steep bends.
“Creating safe off-road facilities like this new greenway will help encourage more people to consider active travel for local journeys, which will help reduce traffic on our busy roads, improving air quality and the local area.”
The new greenway is being funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements Fund (CRSTS), administered by the West of England Combined Authority. The money available for these projects can only be used for new transport infrastructure and cannot be used for funding bus services, filling potholes or other council functions such as social services, education or libraries.
South Gloucestershire Council will now submit a Full Business Case, and a request for funding from the Combined Authority. Construction is expected to start in early next year with the new greenway due to open in 2026.
PIC-SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL
