Work to begin on next phase of £48m cycling route

The walking and cycling route will stretch between Cheltenham and Bishop's Cleeve

Work on the second phase of a new 26-mile (42km) walking and cycling route is set to begin in January.

Section one of Gloucestershire's A435 cycleway, from the Honeybourne Line to Cheltenham Racecourse roundabout, has been completed and is now open.

The next phase, starting on 6 January, will link Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) bridge to the Bishop's Cleeve roundabout.

Gloucestershire County Council hopes the £48m scheme will encourage more people to use sustainable transport and help reach its aim of achieving carbon net zero by 2045.

The scheme is part of a wider plan for a Gloucestershire "cycle spine" across the county

Contractor Montel Civil Engineering Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the second phase.

It will construct a section between Wellington Road and Central Cross Drive near Pittville Park in Cheltenham to tie in with the completed works in section one.

Improved crossings will also be installed at the junction of Wellington Road and the A435 Evesham Road.

Road closures

Drivers have been warned to expect some disruption due to temporary traffic lights, with a full road closure set to be in place from 14 to 16 January between 20:00 and 06:00 GMT.

Councillor 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."