Gloucestershire County Council could soon take over the delivery of a project to create a safer route for 'walking, wheeling and cycling' between key destinations in Cheltenham.
The £2.43 million scheme to extend the town's Honeybourne Line beyond Cheltenham Spa Railway Station, to link with the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine along the A40 Lansdown Road, will become the responsibility of the council, pending cabinet approval this week.
The project was originally developed by Great Western Railway, which has invested £500,000 in improvements to the station forecourt and car park to align with the cycle path plans.
But as the new cycleway would extend beyond the station boundary, the council feels it is appropriate to take on full responsibility and liability for the full cost of the project, including the works contract.
The extension aims to provide better connectivity between the train station, town centre, offices and homes in Cheltenham.
If approved by cabinet, works on the project could begin in spring 2026.
Funds would come from a combination of council capital funding, developer contributions, £770,424 from Gloucestershire's Community Infrastructure Levy and a subgrant agreement with cycling charity Sustrans, for Department for Transport cycle rail funding.
Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainable transport and road safety, said: 'We’re committed to making it safer and easier for people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling as part of everyday journeys.
'Our proposal to take on the
delivery of the Honeybourne Line Cycle Link would allow us to unlock a vital
missing connection in Cheltenham’s active travel network, linking the rail
station with key destinations across the town and supporting our wider
ambitions for sustainable transport.'
