Next phase of walking and cycling route work to begin

The route will link the Bishop's Cleeve roundabout and Cheltenham

Construction work on the second phase of a walking and cycling route is due to begin in the new year.

Work is already under way on the 26-mile (42km) stretch of A345 cycleway in Gloucestershire. Once it is complete, it will link Cheltenham and Bishop's Cleeve.

It was hoped the route would promote walking and cycling in the area, reduce pollution and support Gloucestershire County Council's aims of becoming carbon net zero by 2045.

Work on phase two is expected to be completed by the end of autumn 2025.

Phase one of the route, from the Honeybourne Line to Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout, is due to be completed by the end of the year, according to the council.

Contractors Montel Civil Engineering Ltd will begin the second phase on 6 January, when work will be carried out from Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway Bridge to Bishop's Cleeve Roundabout.

A section will also be constructed between Wellington Road to Central Cross Drive, near Pitville Park in Cheltenham.

A drop-in event will be held at Cheltenham Rugby Tigers Club on 26 November between 10:00 and 19:00 GMT, to allow members of the public to find out more information about the next stage of the project.