Construction work is set to get under way on the next phase of the A435 cycle route in the new year.
The A435 Cycleway, when finished, will link Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve, providing a fantastic new and improved segregated walking and cycling route, separate from other traffic. The A435 Cycleway will form part of the wider Gloucestershire cycle spine, linking Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve, greatly improving walking and cycling options to homes, employment, education and transport hubs. It will support a greener Gloucestershire and help the county council’s aims of becoming carbon net zero by 2045.
Section one of the A435 Cycleway, from the Honeybourne Line to Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout, has now been completed and is open.
Contractors Montel Civil Engineering Ltd have 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 completed works on section one, further extending the improved pedestrian and cycle access and upgrading the junction at Wellington Road/A435 Evesham Road to include pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities.
The works between the GWSR bridge and Bishop’s Cleeve Roundabout will start on 6 January 2025, with temporary traffic lights during the day as and when required. From 13 January two-way traffic lights will be operational overnight, apart from between 14 to 16 January when a road closure will be required between 8pm and 6am.
The works at Wellington Road/A435 Evesham Road junction will begin on 13 January from 8pm to 6am with a road closure for just this one night. The contractor will be installing a temporary mini roundabout so the works can continue while traffic flow is maintained, and from 14 to 16 January overnight, 4-way traffic lights will also be in place.
Design work is currently under way on the next section of the route, between GWSR bridge and Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout.
Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment, economy and planning, said: “It’s great news that work on the next section of the A435 Cycleway is about to get under way and we’d like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while these works take place.
“This is a key part of the 26-mile walking and cycling route we’re building across the county which will reduce carbon emissions and encourage active travel, helping us to create a greener Gloucestershire.”
To find out more about the scheme go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/A435cycleway, where you can also sign up to regular scheme bulletin updates.