Cyclists in North Somerset are set to finally enjoy the
full benefits of a picturesque 24-mile coastal cycleway, thanks to
Highways England.
Since 2015, the Government company has invested more than £85
million towards the creation of 160 new and upgraded cycle ways
across England, providing safe, attractive and accessible
facilities for people to cycle for work, shopping and leisure.
Cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders will see more benefits
over the next five years, with £169 million set aside in Highways
England’s new Users and Communities fund. The company is using
the fund to improve services for users and neighbours of
England’s motorways and major A-roads, including increasing the
options people have for sustainable travel.
In the latest initiative announced today, £1.3 million of funding
will help create a path between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon
and complete the final part of the cycle route between Brean and
Portishead in the South West.
Anyone currently wishing to cycle between the two towns has to
negotiate a motorway junction and a busy A road. But the new
section will remove those challenges and add to the mix of quiet
lanes, dedicated cycle facilities and a crossing of the River Yeo
on the route. It will also reduce the distance to travel between
the towns by about four miles for people not in vehicles, and
provide a vital link between existing routes.
Funding from Highways England has also realised safer journeys
for cyclists around the A540 near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, the
A64 near Musley Bank and Tadcaster Bar and the M11 near London
Stansted Airport, where cyclists commuting to the airport
previously faced navigating the hazardous junction 8.
Up to 55,000 trips per year are forecast on the new coastal route
and a significant number of those will be commuters who can leave
their cars at home.
, Cycling and Walking
Minister, said:
Across the country there has been a surge in the numbers of
people getting on their bikes or walking as part of their daily
exercise, and I want to build on this with our recently
announced £2 billion investment to create a green legacy.
This 24-mile coastal cycleway will provide a great space for
cyclists, walkers and horse riders and help them boost their
physical and mental health. Cutting the journey between
Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon by four miles will also make
this journey more accessible and help cut road traffic.
Steven Wright, Highways England’s Users and Communities Fund
lead, said:
We’re committed to significantly improving safety across our
road network, and the new and improved cycle and footpaths will
make it much easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
At Highways England, our work goes beyond operating,
maintaining and improving roads. We’re investing in the
environment and communities surrounding our network, as well as
the people travelling and working on it. We aim to address
social and environmental issues and add real value to society.
We’re delighted to be partnering with North Somerset Council to
realise this project – a glowing example of how this funding
can make life better for communities living and working near
our roads.
Highways England manages four designated funds, allocated by the
Government, to deliver benefits above and beyond building,
maintaining and operating England’s strategic roads.
From protecting the environment and enhancing the landscape
around roads, to improving safety, reducing congestion, and
supporting communities, the aim is to make a positive difference
to people’s lives.
Highways England has invested £1.3 million into North Somerset
Council’s £2.09 million project to create a new mile-long walking
and cycling path between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon, to the
west of the M5.
The benefits will not only reduce traffic around M5 junction 21
and on the motorway, but also bring about a growth in the use of
sustainable transport, improved air quality and a healthier
society in general.
North Somerset Council executive member for transport Cllr James
Tonkin said:
This funding from Highways England is fantastic news. Building
a Weston to Clevedon cycleway is a long-held aspiration for the
council, first proposed back in 1979.
It will give a quiet, safer route for cyclists, avoiding the
busy A370 and M5 junction 21. It will be designed to
accommodate disabled people and will have health and
environmental benefits by encouraging an active lifestyle and
reducing travel by car.
