New cycle lane to be installed by racecourse

Sign for Cheltenham Spa, with Cheltenham Racecourse in the backgroundImage source, Google Maps
Image caption,

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

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A stretch of road past one of the county's most famous landmarks will be getting a new cycle lane.

A green lane will be painted alongside the A435 near Cheltenham Racecourse as part of the next planned stage of the Cheltenham to Bishops Cleeve cycleway.

The second phase of the second section of the project will focus on Evesham Road between Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout and the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) Bridge.

Construction will begin in early 2025.

A public share event will be held by Gloucestershire County Council on 23 May for residents to view scheme plans and details of the phase.

It comes as work is scheduled to begin on the first phase of section two, focusing on the stretch between GWSR Bridge and Bishops Cleeve.

The cycleway will run separate to the main carriageway, along the east side of the A435.

A new footway will be created between the cycleway and the boundary of the Racecourse and fields, away from the carriageway.

The route connecting Bishops Cleeve with Cheltenham will be fully lit.

As part of the plans, the speed limit along the stretch of the A435 will be reduced to 40mph.

This will replace the current speed limit of 60mph, and link to the existing 40mph to the north and extended 30mph to the south.

Safer and improved signalised crossing points will also be installed on highway arms of the GE Roundabout and at the Evesham Road/Southam Lane junction.

The public share event will take place at Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club on Thursday.

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