Phase 1 – Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) Bridge to Bishop’s Cleeve

The A435 Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycleway forms part of the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, extending across the county from Stroud in the south to Bishop's Cleeve in the north. The improvements support our ambitions for a Greener Gloucestershire, align with our aims of becoming carbon net zero by 2045, support improvements to public health and make it easier for people to cycle and walk to work, homes and transport hubs. The scheme will contribute to a significant cycling and walking network across Gloucestershire, improving quality and connectivity.

The A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycleway section of the route runs between the Honeybourne Line by the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham and the GE roundabout at the southern edge of Bishops Cleeve. From the Honeybourne Line, the route travels over Folly Lane, along Hudson Street, Marle Hill Road, Wellesley Road, West Drive, Central Cross Drive and along the A435 Evesham Road to the GE Roundabout at Bishop’s Cleeve. It covers approximately 4km (2.5 miles) in length.

The scheme will improve facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and non-motorised users in the area and make a further contribution to CO2 reductions. It will provide access directly to public transport hubs such as Cheltenham Train Station and Park and Ride, sites including Cheltenham Racecourse, GE Aviation, the leisure centre, the Prince of Wales Stadium, Pittville Park, schools and the multiple University of Gloucestershire campuses within the area.

The project is being delivered in two sections:

• Section 1: Between the Honeybourne Line and Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout. Construction has now started and is expected to finish in Winter 2024.
• Section 2: Between Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout and the GE Roundabout, Bishops Cleeve.

Section 2 will be delivered in two phases:

• Phase 1: GWSR Bridge to Bishop’s Cleeve. Construction will commence in Summer 2024
• Phase 2: Cheltenham Racecourse roundabout to GWSR Bridge. The designs for this section are currently under development and will be made available later this year.

The A435 Cycleway Section 2 - Cheltenham Racecourse roundabout to Bishop’s Cleeve will include:

• Installation of a new segregated cycleway and footway along the A435 Evesham Road.
• Cyclist and pedestrian improvements at and adjacent to junctions and roundabouts, including new and improved crossing points.
• Embankment stabilisation works around the GWSR bridge.
• A new 40mph speed limit along A435 Evesham Road.

Public share event

We will be holding a public share event focused on Section 2 phase 1 (GWSR Bridge to Bishop’s Cleeve) on Thursday 25 January 2024 and would like to invite you to attend.

The public share event will provide an opportunity for you to view scheme plans and details of Section 2 Phase 1 (GWSR bridge to Bishop’s Cleeve) and meet the project team to discuss the project.

• Where: Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club, Southam Lane, Southam GL52 3PE
• When: Thursday 25 January 2024 from 10am - 7:30pm

If you are not able to attend the public share event, or wish to view the information online, all details of the scheme are available on the scheme webpage: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/a435cycleway

How to respond

To respond to this survey click on the link below.

Take Survey

The survey can also be made available as a hard copy via post, please contact majorprojects@gloucestershire.gov.uk(External link) or telephone 08000-514514.

The survey closes on Thursday 7 March, at 5pm.