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Proposal for Gloucestershire County Council to take over delivery of Honeybourne Line Cycle Link scheme

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Gloucestershire County Council is proposing to take over delivery of the Honeybourne Line Cycle Link scheme, if a Cabinet paper recommending the council adopts scheme promoter responsibilities from Great Western Railway (GWR) is approved on 23 July.

The scheme aims to enhance cycling and walking connectivity between Cheltenham Spa Railway Station and the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine. It was originally developed by GWR, who invested £500,000 in design and approvals to ensure improvements to Cheltenham Spa station forecourt and car park aligned with the cycle path proposal.

The scheme is intended to connect the cycle spine with the Honeybourne Line using a route that extends beyond the station boundary. As a result, it is now considered to be more appropriate for the council to take on responsibility for delivering the cycle link scheme.

If approved by Cabinet, GWR would pass over all work to date and the council would become responsible for its delivery and liable for the full cost of the project including the works contract. The report also recommends delegating authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Road Safety, to procure and award construction contracts in relation to the scheme.

Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & 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.”

Estimated to cost £2.43 million, the scheme is being funded through a combination of county council capital funding, S106 funds, funding from the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee and a subgrant agreement with Sustrans for Department for Transport Cycle Rail funding.

If the proposal is approved, works are expected to begin in spring 2026.

For more information, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/major-projects-list/honeybourne-line-extension