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Cheltenham council to explore Honeybourne Line cycle path …

Plans to explore a potential northern extension to the Honeybourne Line foot and cycle path in Cheltenham have received the backing of civic chiefs. Cheltenham Borough Council[1] has agreed to engage with Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway to discuss the possibility of extending the line northwards from the Prince of Wales Stadium.

Earlier this week, councillors recognised the potential for this corridor of unused land to become a sustainable transport link and linear park as far as Swindon Lane. It could help link the main railway line and the town centre to Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway[2] thus boosting local tourism as well as improving public health and the environment.

Councillors unanimously backed a motion put forward by economic development, culture, tourism and wellbeing cabinet member Max Wilkinson[3] (LD, Oakley) to instruct officers to explore policies to protect this corridor of opportunity. Council officers will also be asked to discuss with Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway the possible extension of the Honeybourne Line northwards with a view to pursuing opportunities for the environment, leisure and tourism in a way that is mutually beneficial.

Councillor Wilkinson said: “This is a really important link, the southbound extension for people who live in Park ward, the areas of Lansdown, Up Hatherley, Warden Hill and many of those people who will benefit, I suspect, including school students travelling safely to and from Bourneside school, Dean Close etc.

“Opening the route northbound adds length and it is a cycle and walking route which will basically touch the northernmost boundary of the developed part of this town. It would link onto the station and onwards and then onto the cycle spine. The key reasons we need to support walking and cycling are that we need to boost the health of everyone in this town and our visitors. That can only be good news for the NHS in future.”

Officers are tasked with reporting back on progress with planning policies, and discussions with Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway at, or before, the council’s December meeting. The council, in passing the motion, also showed its support for a petition by Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Cycling campaign which was signed by more than 1,000 residents.

A jogger makes her way along the Honeybourne Line in Cheltenham
A jogger makes her way along the Honeybourne Line in Cheltenham

They noted that the extension of the Honeybourne Line from Cheltenham Spa Station south to Shelburne Road has been an ambition of this town for almost four decades. And that the current proposal to extend the line requires partnership working between landowner Network Rail, developer GWR, transport authority Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council who are responsible for managing the Honeybourne Line.

They said that as delays to the project were experienced, costs increased significantly due to inflation in the construction market, as well as other factors, including the specification of the project. And councillors regret that it is currently delayed indefinitely[5] after government funding cuts to the rail industry.

However, they have agreed to work with partners in the project, mainly Gloucestershire County Council, to explore ways to bridge the funding gap, including reviewing the opportunity to prioritise the Honeybourne Line extension as an allocation for Community Infrastructure Levy funding.

References

  1. ^ Cheltenham Borough Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Max Wilkinson (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Fears Cheltenham could lose its spa town status as bacteria makes water at Pittville Pump Room unfit for humans (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ councillors regret that it is currently delayed indefinitely (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)

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