Swindon Borough Council has secured additional funding for its plans to enhance pedestrian and cycle routes in the town, providing a significant boost to the project.
The council has been granted £381,500 from Active Travel England in the latest funding round, dedicated to supporting the development of essential cycling and walking infrastructure throughout the Borough.
This funding will play a crucial role in advancing the plans to improve cycle connectivity within Swindon town centre, as well as enhancing key routes in the northern and eastern parts of the Borough to cater to various travel needs and trip types.
A portion of the Active Travel funding will be allocated to conducting initial feasibility studies and concept designs for upgrading the existing cycle and pedestrian route connecting Tadpole Garden Village to the town centre. This route, a crucial segment of the National Cycle Network Route 45 that traverses Westmead, serves as a vital north-south link.
In collaboration with Thames Water, the Council will also work on short-term improvements to the route as part of planned water main works this year.
The third proposed scheme, seeking funding, involves the introduction of lighting along the cycle path-footway parallel to the new Southern Connector Road. This initiative aims to enhance a significant active travel route from the New Eastern Villages into Covingham and other established communities in the eastern part of the town.
To ensure the proposed schemes adhere to the principles of “access for all” in their design and approach, the Council plans to engage extensively with the public, including cycling, walking, and access groups. This engagement will be an extension of the recent Swindon Transport Conversation Survey conducted by the Council, which gathered valuable input on active and sustainable travel both now and in the future.
Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “We are really keen to promote active travel as much as we can because it is not only great for the environment, it brings so many health and wellbeing benefits.
“These schemes are still at a very early stage and the funding will be used to carry out design feasibility and, importantly, engagement with residents and businesses as it is vital we hear from those who currently walk and cycle as well as those who may be tempted to do so in the future.
“We will then use the comments and feedback we receive to inform the schemes as we take them forward to the detailed design phase.”
