Walking and cycling route work will see 19 new trees planted

NINETEEN new trees will be planted in Cheltenham as part of works to build a new walking and cycling route between the Honeybourne Line and Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout.

Work on Section 1 of the A435 Cycleway started last year and is expected to finish in winter 2024.

As part of the works a lime tree on A435 Evesham Road, along with three other young highway trees along the route, including one in an unhealthy state, need to be removed to construct the cycleway and provide improvements for pedestrians.

All options were considered to try to retain the trees, but removal was the only viable option.

The scheme is designed to limit the loss of trees wherever possible, but sometimes they cannot be retained because of design and safety requirements.

To compensate for the loss, 19 new trees will be planted along the route.

Ten will be planted in Pittville Park alongside Evesham Road and another nine will be planted either alongside or next to Evesham Road, starting at the end of February.

Work to remove the lime tree is taking place this week, to avoid bird nesting season and to allow the cycleway works to continue.

The removal of the younger trees will take place as works progress.

To ensure the safety of the public, the A435 Evesham Road will be closed for five days until February 16 between 9.30am and 3.30pm while the work takes place. A diversion route is in place during these times.

Section 1 of the A435 Cycleway will deliver walking and cycling improvements along the A435 Evesham Road and through the St Paul’s area, including improved crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. It will link into Section 2 towards Bishop’s Cleeve.

The full route once completed will form part of the northern end of the proposed 26-mile cycle spine linking Stroud to Bishop’s Cleeve, via Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The scheme will help the county council’s aims of becoming carbon net zero by 2045, as well as improving access to homes, employment, education and transport hubs. It will see significant improvements in the cycling and walking network being delivered across the county, to support a greener Gloucestershire.

More details are available at gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/ a435cycleway

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “We never want to lose any trees, but here it is necessary to enable the cycle path to be built to meet design and safety requirements. We have explored all options to see if they could be retained but unfortunately that wasn’t viable in this case. We are committed to creating a greener Gloucestershire and tree planting is an important part of doing this, as they tackle climate change and support biodiversity.”