Background and overview

Background 

The scheme through Gloucester City Centre represents the next phase in Gloucestershire Council's ambitious Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, extending across the county from Stroud in the south to Bishop’s Cleeve in the north. It will contribute to a significant cycling and walking network across the county, in line with Gloucestershire County Council’s ambition to deliver high-quality cycle and pedestrian facilities that comply with the latest cycle design guidance, improving the quality and connectivity of cycling and walking facilities. It also aligns with the emerging Gloucester City Plan which encourages comprehensive city-wide cycling initiatives in-line with the county council’s Local Transport Plan.

It will support a Greener Gloucestershire, providing alternative active travel opportunities and ensuring that carbon emission reductions can be achieved. The scheme will support improvements to public health and make it easier for people to cycle and walk to work, education, homes and transport hubs.

Overview

The Gloucester City Centre cycle spine will deliver the infrastructure required to provide improved sustainable travel access through Gloucester City Centre. Approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) in length, the route runs from London Road via Northgate Street, Southgate Street to Saint Ann Way junction and includes improvements to Llanthony Road. The scheme is expected to be split into the following sections, however it is under review following the consultation:

• Section 1 – London Road and Black Dog Way
• Section 2 – Northgate Street to Parliament Street
• Section 3 – Parliament Street to St Ann Way
  • Section 3a - Parliament Street to Kimbrose Triangle
  • Section 3b - Kimbrose Triangle to The Tall Ship - to be delivered in 2024/25
  • Section 3b - The Tall Ship to St Ann Way 
• Section 4 – Llanthony Road to Spa Road

It will connect to the docks in the south, a former industrial area which has transformed into a thriving and dynamic mixed community of businesses, residents and visitors. To the north, it will link to the B4063 Gloucester to Cheltenham cycle scheme at London Road and the wider Gloucestershire Cycle spine, currently under construction between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Providing access to education and employment is particularly important in Gloucester, which has a population younger than the county average. The proposals will improve access by all modes to Gloucestershire College, with the proposed cycle spine linking the college, and its 14,000 full time and part time students, to student accommodation and the City Centre. It will provide access directly to major employment and education sites such as the hospital, transport hubs, leisure and retail facilities, employment areas, University of Gloucestershire and Gloucester College.

The scheme proposals include:

• Construction of a critical link of the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine.
• Segregated cycle tracks where traffic speed and flows are higher.
• On street cycle provision elsewhere where traffic flows are low.
• Improvements for cyclists and pedestrians at (and adjacent to) junctions and roundabouts, including new and improved crossing points.
• Improvements at Kimbrose triangle including formalised crossing points and new kerbs.
• Place making improvements through the pedestrianised gated streets.
• Reassigning parking spaces on Northgate and Southgate Street.