Linking the Greens Active travel boost for communities
AMULTIMILLION- POUND project to promote links between two communities in South Gloucestershire has been revealed.
The £6.5 million Linking the Greens project will improve pedestrian and cycling routes between Emersons Green and Lyde Green.
It will also look to promote cultural links between the two areas via a public art programme, which will focus on improving the public realm.
The art programme will be an opportunity for people to get involved in their local area with more detail on this part of the project being revealed in 2021.
Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure improvements will include the refurbishment of the Newlands Bridge over the A4174 Avon Ring Road, a new and improved shared-use path from Lyde Green across to Emerson’s Green Retail Park via the existing footbridge and a new footpath into the Lyde Green residential area.
It will also see the construction of new steps at the northern end of the bridge and a new cycle/pedestrian corridor adjacent to the Emerson’s Green skate park.
The project will also involve safety improvements in the wider area, such as the completion of the B4465 Pucklechurch to Ring Road shared-use path, a new traffic calming scheme on the Sainsbury’s access road and some new lighting on the Ring Road Cycleway.
It is hoped improving pedestrian and cycling facilities will encourage more people to consider active travel options for local journeys.
The work is being funded via developer contributions, South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth and Getting Building funds, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “We’re proud to help move this project forward and improve walking and cycling connections between Emerson’s Green and Lyde Green.
“Creating safe routes for people to walk and cycle so they can get to jobs, education or pop out for everyday essentials is a key part of my plan to get the region moving. Schemes like this will help us create a step-change in sustainable transport provision in the West of England.”
South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, environment and strategic infrastructure Councillor Steve Reade said: “We are committed to encouraging people to use sustainable and active travel and one of our key priorities over the next four years is investing in cycling and pedestrian facilities across South Gloucestershire.
“The infrastructure improvements planned for Lyde Green and Emersons Green will enable people to consider cycling and walking as credible alternatives for local journeys.
“The Linking the Greens project is all about enhancing the links between the Lyde Green and Emerson’s Green but not just the physical links but the cultural too, through an exciting public arts programme.
“We hope this scheme will strengthen a sense of community between the two areas and help people get to know the area they live in.”
While the improvements are being carried out on the Newlands Bridge, a single lane closure in both directions will be required on the A4174 Ring Road beneath the bridge.
This will reduce the carriageway to one lane in each direction. These lane closures will begin on January 11 and last for approximately four weeks.