Work has started on a new cycle network which will promote sustainable travel and deliver high quality, safe and well connected cycle ways in West Bridgford.
Initial work is already underway and being carried out by Via East Midlands, which manages the County’s highway network on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. Cycle lane construction work on Melton Road is set to start on Monday 20 February.
The cycle network, which will comprise approximately 17 miles of routes, will be operational in 2017 following a successful consultation with local residents in July and August 2016.
The project has been primarily funded through external sources including the D2N2’s (Local Enterprise Partnership) sustainable transport programme, with additional funding from developers in the area.
The consultation showed there is a desire from across the community for a dedicated network of cycle routes in West Bridgford, with long-term economic benefits to residents including improved access to local shops, schools, services and jobs and an increased demand for cycling facilities.
The network has been designed so that only a short distance of new routes will be on shared footpath/cycle paths and the new on-road cycle lanes will not reduce the number of traffic lanes available to other vehicles. It will also involve enhancing existing cycle routes across the area where possible.
As part of the scheme, a number of 20 mph speed limits will be introduced in the area including an advisory limit on the A606 Melton Road in the vicinity of the shops – a speed which is widely recognised as creating a more welcoming environment, for both cyclists and pedestrians.
The full project is estimated to be completed by the summer.
Neil Hodgson, Head of Consultancy at Via, who manage highways on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The new cycle network in West Bridgford will provide excellent benefits to a community that has a big appetite for cycling, by giving residents cycle access to jobs, schools, the town’s services and Nottingham City.
“During our consultation we had a fantastic response and almost 90% of the those who responded support the delivery of improved cycling facilities in West Bridgford. Only a small number of objections were received and we have been able to accommodate the vast majority of these in our plans.
“Funding from D2N2 and local developers specifically for this project has allowed us to invest money over and above our annual budgets to improve the transport links for residents of West Bridgford.
“We’re enhancing the existing cycle routes in the area wherever possible, however there will be some disruption to residents as we introduce on-road cycle lanes, including the A606 Melton Road – though there will be no alterations or disruption to shops in this area. We will have teams working over a number of weeks, but we will be doing as much as possible to minimise the impact on road users.
“Whilst I am aware that the works may cause a short-term inconvenience to local residents and road users, we hope that the long-term benefits can be enjoyed by the wider West Bridgford community.
“The project is as much about further increasing the number of cyclists by encouraging people to cycle who currently don’t, as well as improving facilities for those who already cycle in the area.”
Works begin on the A606 Melton Road, on Monday 20 February and will last for up to 16 weeks. The works involve the construction of a 1.4m segregated cycle lane in each direction in the carriageway from Village Street, Edwalton to Carnarvon Road. This involves some widening of the existing carriageway and kerbing works to accommodate the new cycleway and associated drainage, surfacing and lining/signing works. Teams will be working extended days and weekends to ensure the works are completed as quickly as possible, with 24-hour traffic signals required.
A number of parking restrictions will come into force.
In addition, works will create a dedicated cycle friendly route for all abilities heading east/west along an attractive green-corridor, linking local residential areas of Compton Acres to the tramway, Rushcliffe Arena, local schools and onwards to West Bridgford and Nottingham. This will include the closure of footpaths and an existing footbridge which will be replaced with a wider bridge. Lighting upgrades will also be implemented as required as part of the scheme.
