A new cycleway is set to be created linking Bumpers Farm to Chippenham town centre as Wiltshire Council has secured more than £200,000 in funding for the first wave of road reallocation schemes.

The £227,000 of Department for Transport (DfT) funding will go toward five schemes in Chippenham, Bradford on Avon, Purton, Hilperton and Salisbury.

The plans are based on existing bus routes and will link the city and town centres with homes and workplaces on the outskirts.

The scheme is designed to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to access shops, businesses and places of work without driving or using public transport, as well as to help maintain social distancing.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s great news that we’ve received this funding. “Work will start within the next four weeks and will be completed within eight weeks.

“We’ve had many suggestions for other schemes from town and parish councils, members of the public and local groups, and we know that these five schemes don’t go far enough, but we’re working with DfT to bid for an extra £908,000 of funding that we hope to use to progress several more cycling and walking routes in Wiltshire.

“Our teams are working round the clock to survey and plan all the suggestions we’ve received, so we’ll be in a good position to take several of these forward if and when we receive the next round of funding."

Cllr Ruth Lloyd said: "The new segregated cycleway is very welcome and will enable safer active travel to and from the town centre for residents living on the west side of Chippenham.

"I look forward to further improvements to Chippenham's cycle network as more government funding becomes available."

"I am delighted that Wiltshire council has secured funding for new cycleway schemes for the county," said Cllr Peter Hutton

"This particular scheme I hope will benefit the employees on Bumpers Farm and also encourage other residents to use their cycles more.

"I hope to see more of these schemes to help improve the cycle net work in Chippenham and other parts of Wiltshire."