NEW cycleways are to be created along Hilperton Road in Trowbridge and linking Winsley to Bradford on Avon as Wiltshire Council has secured more than £200,000 in funding.

The first scheme will see the creation of a segregated cycleway on the A361 Hilperton Road in Trowbridge, starting from near the fire station and using cycle lanes from Stancomb Avenue to Hilperton Road roundabout.

Cllr Nick Blakemore, who represents the ward welcomed the news.

He said: “This is splendid news. Any form of investment that sees viable alternatives to using the car is to be welcomed, especially those that which will improve both the health of residents as well as helping our environment.”

The new cycleway will mean people living in Hilperton and on the top end of Paxcroft Mead, as well as children travelling to secondary schools, will be able to cycle more safely into the town centre.

The scheme will create a segregated cycleway and footpath on the B3108 between Winsley and Bradford on Avon.

This will allow easier access between the two, and will give cyclists the option of a traffic-free ride from Winsley into Bradford on Avon and then on to Trowbridge and Bath along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Winsley’s Cllr Johnny Kidney said he has long argued that the stretch of road is too wide and fast and that the current footpath creates an intimidating environment for walkers and cyclists.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted that my proposal for a new segregated cycleway on the B3108 between Winsley and Bradford on Avon has been approved for funding by the DfT.

“The reallocation of part of the existing carriageway to create a new segregated cycleway alongside the footpath will provide much safer access to facilities in the town, particularly for vulnerable residents, as well as young people from Winsley travelling to St Laurence School on foot or by bike.”

Cllr Kidney said he hoped that this project would help to reduce traffic along the stretch of road.

“With the cycleway due to be installed over the summer, it should be in place in good time for the planned full return of secondary schools in September, providing students from Winsley with a safe and sustainable route to walk or cycle to school,” he added.

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.”

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

The plans are based on bus routes and aim to link the town centres with homes and workplaces on the outskirts.