Rural Connections

As typical for a predominantly rural county, well over 50% of people in Gloucestershire commute by car, though up to 60% of commuters (depending on the district) have less than 5km journey to work; a distance considered ‘easy’ by cycling advocacy groups.

Rural and small town areas have potential to be opened up as cycling areas, if the right infrastructure interventions are provided at the right time and place. In these locations, links between schools, residential areas, shopping and leisure facilities can create a sustainable local community. With the emergence of e-bikes, cycling will become an increasingly viable mode of transport for longer, rural trips – provided that adequate cycle infrastructure is in place.

Two key places have been identified to deliver cycling infrastructure: Lydney to Parkend in the Forest of Dean, and Moreton-in-Marsh in Cotswolds.

Lydney to Parkend key points:

• This route provides connections for the populations of Lydney, Parkend, Whitecroft and Bream (population c15,000) with a 5.5km off road route
• Strategically it connects with businesses centrally located with Lydney and the mainline rail station
• Economically it connects with Whitemead Forest Park, Pedalabikeway, Dean Forest Heritage Railway, central forest tourism locations as well as a wealth of hospitality businesses
• Provides safe accessible off road connections between Parkend, Whitecroft and Bream, also connecting with the catchment secondary school Dean Academy
• The PtC analysis suggests that high quality improvements to cycling infrastructure could increase cycling levels in Lydney from c.5% and less than 1% in Parkend to between 10-14% in Lydney and 7-9% in Parkend

Moreton-in-Marsh key points:

• Scheme has been designed to support the high density of local businesses, retail outlets and listed buildings which draw tourists in the Cotswolds District and within the county
• Supporting the high number of pedestrians near the A44 and helping local residents and visitors and improve access to schools, shops and the local railway station
• Improving crossing facilities with dropped kerbs and tactile paving on the main routes through the town
• New short footway section to connect St Davids C of E Primary School
• Providing cycle parking shelters and stands at various locations around the town
• These changes will support local walking and cycling trips as well as tourism in the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean