£2m funding for bike and walking schemes
PLANS AIM TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
SCHEMES designed to encourage walking and cycling in Nottinghamshire have received more than £2m in funding.
The money known as the Active Travel fund, was made available by the Government earlier this year, partly in a bid to alleviate pressure on public transport caused by Covid.
Now, the Government has confirmed Nottinghamshire County Council will receive more than £2 million for projects in the second wave of the funding.
These schemes are still at an early stage, and detailed designs will still need to be drawn up and approved by the council.
It remains possible some schemes may prove undeliverable once they reach the detailed planning and consultation phases.
The shortlist currently includes: ■ A6191 Chesterfield Road North/ South, Mansfield - improvements to the existing on-road cycle lane from north of Rosemary Street to south of Debdale Lane junction to provide a fully segregated cycle track
■ Beeston cycling improvements - A closure to through traffic on Dovecote Lane to provide a quiet route for cyclists; and additional secure cycling hubs at the nearby railway station
■ High Pavement, Sutton in Ashfield - conversion of existing traffic lanes and removal of short-stay on-street parking to create a new lightly segregated cycleway (e.g. by using traffic wands); along with improvements to the High Pavement/station Road/ Forest Street junction traffic signals (to provide crossing facilities for cyclists and to improve capacity for other vehicles)
■ Randall Way, Retford - a new fully segregated cycleway/footway adjacent to the existing carriageway between Hallcroft Road and the A638 North Road
■ Regatta Way, Gamston - upgrade of the existing shared-use footway to create a new fully segregated cycleway between Adbolton Lane and the A6011 Radcliffe Road
Victoria Street/portland Street, Newark - creation of a new lightly segregated cycleway on Victoria Street/portland Street following the introduction of a new one-way traffic system on Victoria Street/portland Street/albert Street. A behaviour change support package specifically targeted along the (Active Travel Fund) infrastructure improvements, as well as in the locations/town centres to which these routes improve access.
The council says it envisages some of the changes will be temporary, while others will remain permanent.
It also says it hopes the schemes will: ‘help embed walking and cycling as part of long-term commuting habits - helping to improve air quality, road travel and deliver associated health benefits.’
Councillor John Cottee is the chairman of the highways committee on the council, and represents Keyworth for the Conservatives.
He said: “”We’re delighted that Nottinghamshire received the 12th highest allocation of funding overall and reflects the ambitious bid we submitted to Government in the summer following the £263,250 funding we received in July.
“The cycling and walking schemes included in our bid will be prioritised for their ability to support existing council aims and strategies that deliver environmental as well as wider health benefits.
“Now that we have confirmation of the available resources we’ll be pressing forward with the design of the relevant schemes and consulting with communities as quickly as we can.”