Cheltenham road hedgerow to be removed to improve safety

The new cycle lane will link up Bishop's Cleeve and Cheltenham

More than 1,200 metres of hedgerow is set to be removed to make way for a new cycle lane.

County highways is planning on removing the hedgerow to widen the road for the pedestrian and cycle scheme on the A435 Evesham Road between Cheltenham Racecourse and Bishop's Cleeve.

Gloucestershire County Council will plant new hedging in its place.

Highways officer Rich Lane said the solution was reached by speaking to farmers and the Jockey Club.

The council will replant triple rows of mixed native trees as hedging and an avenue of tall trees between Bishop's Cleeve and the Swindon Lane roundabout.

Officers have said the wider scheme is underway and while there will be a loss of visual and ecological amenity in the short term, this should be mitigated by an overall improvement over time with the new hedges.

They added that a move to retain the hedge would put the scheme at risk and could lead to a loss in funding already committed to the scheme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

County highways is planning to remove around 4,000ft of hedges for the pedestrian and cycle scheme on the A435 Evesham Road

According to the council, an improved cycle path and footpath link would improve the A435 through enhanced cycling facilities with a potential for reduced vehicular traffic.

Cheltenham Borough Council's planning considered their stretch of the proposal to remove the hedges on 15 February.

Highways officer Rich Lane told councillors the cycle lane is highly desirable and it is currently dangerous to walk along the footpath there.

"We are really trying to deliver a good product to link up Cheltenham and Bishop's Cleeve," Mr Lane said.

"Where that hedge is situated it's a bit of a bottleneck so if you're on the road it's pretty hairy riding up it.

"Given the space and the need for land dedication, we've been speaking to farmers and the Jockey Club and we have a solution but unfortunately it means the removal of that hedge."

Mr Lane added they have been working with tree officers to adapt the plans to better the area and triple up on hedgerow planting.

The committee raised no objections to the proposals.