Linked Cycle Tracks in the Golden Valley

This project provides a good opportunity for parishes to work together to develop an integrated scheme linking community transport and cycle tracks within a set of common projects. A particular priority may be for the designation of safe cycle routes for children to go to school and these could form a major building block to be linked into the network.  We are therefore keen to encourage councils to include policies in support of cycling and to explore the idea of a cycle track scheme as part of their parish plan revisions. The GVEG could then seek funding to provide for a feasibility study and professional assistance to enable parishes to establish their individual priorities and cycle routes for their parish plans – their individual ‘pearls in the necklace’ - within an integrated network for the Golden Valley as a whole.

In considering the drafting of a policy in support of this proposal we would suggest that the following considerations are taken into account:

The policy wording should broadly support the principle of encouraging cycle use in the different parishes and for the designation and development of cycle tracks, which could form part of a larger network serving groups of parishes in the Golden Valley.

The justification to the policy should emphasis the benefits of the policy as part of an integrated community transport network providing safe and secure access, improving environmental diversity and conservation, and improving local economic opportunities.

See below for a suggested form of words for inclusion in Parish Plans:

Cycle Track Policy and Justification

Policy
The Parish Council supports the development and opening of safe routes for cyclists and walkers within the Parish and as part of an integrated network linking neighbouring parishes.

Justification
The policy should enable the development of a network of cycle tracks, which will create safe alternative routes for cyclists and walkers and provide access to schools, workplaces, village services and the beautiful countryside.  Parts of the route may also offer opportunities for enhancing environmental diversity and conservation, creating wildflower ‘rivers of pollen’. In addition, it would, we believe, bring a wide range of opportunities to local businesses and other bodies and support the wider development of eco-tourism in the area to boost the local economy.