To receive an update from Highways England and Wiltshire Council’s Highways Team about the progress made towards the new cycle route.
Minutes:
Highway Project Engineer Jack Francis, from Wiltshire Council, delivered a presentation about the cycleway project. The engineer gave an overview of the background of the scheme, its proposed route, key aims and challenges before outlining the next steps in taking the project forward. Chris Hildrup and Zejaj Siddiqi from National Highways were also in attendance to answer queries.
During the presentation, key points included:
· The aims of the project included providing a safe travel route and reducing traffic around Junction 16 of the M4.
· The project to date had been funded by National Highways but would also require funding from Wiltshire Council to take the project forward.
· Detailed design work was being undertaken with consultants from National Highways and it was hoped that design works would be completed by the summer of 2023.
· The pathway would be three metres wide with space for both cyclists and walkers.
· Plans for the route had been dictated by the topography of Lydiard Fields and the need to avoid an Esso pipeline.
· Planning permission and agreements with landowners would have to be in place before the project could proceed. Work was also going on with contractors to provide cost estimates for the scheme.
· The route would be segregated from the A3102. A fence and vegetation would shield the route when it passed close to the M4 slip road.
· Wiltshire Council had bid for Active Travel (Tranche 4) funding from the Department for Transport.
· Conversations would be held with property developers regarding the use of S106 money in the construction of the project.
· Further public engagement events would take place once the designs had been finalised.
During the discussion the following points were made:
· The Area Board thanked the project engineer for the update and said that they looked forward to further consultation events.
· It was confirmed that there were no plans to light the route, but they would consider installing ducting so that lighting could be added in future. Cllr Steve Bucknell observed that lighting the route was likely to add complexity at the planning stage and raise environmental issues.
· When asked about whether the route would connect with existing cycle paths in Swindon, the engineer confirmed that the route would terminate at Lydiard Fields near the Blagrove industrial area but could be extended with the agreement of Swindon Borough Council.
· The proposed route was the result of an existing consultation, and any major changes could lead to a delay in the project.
· In response to a suggestion that the path was located closer to Junction 16, Cllr Steve Bucknell highlighted that there would be difficulties in access due to the need to avoid utilities.
· The engineer suggested that the route would be shared with landowners in the coming weeks and that their permission would be required to undertake topological surveys. Land was likely to be acquired on a long-term lease through a third-party agreement.
· The owner of Spittleborough Farm, which was located along the proposed route, noted that he had first been notified about the project in 2012 and expressed frustration that plans for the route kept changing. He also queried what would happen if construction started but sufficient funding was not in place to complete the project.
· Cllr Steve Bucknell reported that the project had recently passed a National Highways’ cost benefit analysis. However, he said that he would welcome details of the project plan, timescales and costs.
· Chris Hildrup from National Highways explained that they held meetings twice a month with Wiltshire Council. They had invested around £400,000 in the design phase and expected to contribute around half of the construction cost. Funding was allocated according to a designated funds process.
· In response to safety concerns about the route entering Royal Wootton Bassett at a busy roundabout, the engineer from Wiltshire Council confirmed that the route would be subject to a safety audit and they were keen to engage with local people to make sure that the route was as safe as possible.
· Reassurances were provided that the project would be designed in such a way that it would not attract motor vehicles.
Further details including frequently asked questions and a map of the proposed route are available via this link.