Plans approved to "make cycling normal" in Swindon

Plans to create a cycle network in Swindon were approved this week by the council, in a bid to help make cycling a “normal, everyday activity” in the town, and double cycling trips by 2026.

Under the Swindon Cycling Framework the council will bid for £500,000 of government funding to improve and link the town’s cycle routes, targeting a raft of different government funding pots.

The Framework plans to bring together health, transport and sport sectors to increase cycling in the town, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and improving health.

Councils will be "scrabbling for scraps" on cycle funding

Councillor Dale Heenan, the cabinet member for transport, said: “The Cycling strategy has been created by cyclists for cyclists and it has my full support”.

“One in seven children cycle to school in Swindon, yet only one in 20 adults cycle to work. I want to see this figure increase significantly because it will not only promote active, healthy lifestyles, but it will also help reduce congestion on our roads.

“There is a lot of focus on improving our roads for car drivers in Swindon at the moment, but we must also improve and create a safe and convenient cycle network.

"The more people we can encourage to cycle the less traffic will be on the roads."

Local cycle campaigners the Swindon Bicycle User Group (BUG), alongside Swindon Borough Council, Sustrans, British Cycling and local cycling clubs, have developed the plans over the past year.

The Framework document says with government funding set to decrease in the short-term other funding sources will need to be found. It recognises cycle routes on the highway will need to be prioritised, and says "that will include measures other than just tarmac and paint”.

Work to cycle route the “Southern Flyer”, linking West Leaze in Wichelstowe with the town centre, began in January and will open in summer, while the Western Flyer, a two mile off road route connecting Westlea to the town centre, was upgraded in 2014.

In 2011 Swindon received £4m from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which paid for a bike loan scheme and “the rounds”, a series of seven mile off-road routes, devised by BUG. The Council claims its cycling to work figures are approximately double the national average.

The BUG’s Claire Fleming, who is also a travel plan officer for the council, says the campaign’s good relationship with the council and cycle-friendly councillors, including Cllr Keith Williams, have helped champion cycling politically in the town.

Delighted the framework was adopted. Well done to all involved. https://t.co/WLGPZMdvil

— Swindon BUG (@SwindonBUG) March 17, 2016