The A435 Cycleway, when finished, will link Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve, providing a new and improved walking and cycling route.
The cycleway will form part of a cycle ‘spine’, linking Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve, which Gloucestershire County Council said will greatly improving walking and cycling options to homes, employment, education and transport hubs.
The hope is usage will support a greener Gloucestershire and help the council’s aims of becoming carbon net zero by 2045.
Section one of the A435 Cycleway, from the Honeybourne Line to Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout, is currently under construction and is due to be completed by the end of 2024.
Contractors Montel Civil Engineering Ltd have recently been awarded the contract to build the second section of the A435 Cycleway, from Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) bridge to Bishop’s Cleeve Roundabout. They will also construct a section between Wellington Road to Central Cross Drive near Pittville Park in Cheltenham, which will tie in with the work currently under way on section one, further extending the improved pedestrian and cycle access. Work is due to start on January 6, 2025, and is expected to be finished by the end of autumn 2025.
Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment, economy and planning, said: “This next section of the A435 Cycleway is another key part of our 26-mile walking and cycling route we’re building across the county. It’s a fantastic project and will reduce carbon emissions and encourage active travel, helping us to create a greener Gloucestershire.”
