A NEW pedestrian footbridge at Salisbury River Park and a pedestrian crossing are among priority schemes in a new £878,000 funding bid.
Wiltshire Council has submitted a bid to Active Travel England (ATE) for funds to support walking and wheeling routes in the county.
ATE looks to fund active travel infrastructure that promotes walking, wheeling and cycling as an alternative to taking the car.
The bid is part of ATE’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 (ATF4), the focus of which is on walking and wheeling, rather than cycling. ATE had indicated a funding allocation of £878,366 for Wiltshire, and the bid’s proposed schemes had to meet a threshold to ensure they promote and encourage walking and wheeling.
In addition, ATE encouraged bids for the construction of schemes during 2023/24.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We have committed to increasing walking and cycling in our Business Plan, and that’s why we’re applying for this funding. The three priority schemes in our bid have been identified in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs); they represent high value for money and are deliverable in the forthcoming financial year.
“Ideally, we also want to fund other routes, so additional schemes have been included for consideration in the competitive process. All the proposed schemes meet the strict criteria required to receive funding, so we are hopeful of hearing some positive news on these plans.
“When people choose to walk, wheel or cycle rather than take the car, they can save money, improve their health and well-being, and also help to reduce carbon emissions, and that’s why we’re committed to active travel in Wiltshire.”
The three priority schemes included to meet the indicative funding allocation are:
• Pedestrian footbridge, Salisbury River Park (pictured): £458,000
• Devizes Road, Hilperton to the A361/Elizabeth Way Roundabout: £320,000
• Pedestrian crossing, Churchfields Road, Salisbury: £100,000
Additional schemes in Salisbury and Amesbury are:
Countess Road, Amesbury, £200,000: Detailed design of a shared-use path on Countess Road and construction of a toucan crossing, part of a larger scheme to connect Amesbury to Larkhill.
Salisbury River Park future phases, £130,000: Detailed design of proposed improvements to the Town Path (NCN 24), and design work and land acquisition on a walking/cycling scheme to link Ashley Road to Central Car Park (NCN 45).
Longhedge to Salisbury, £200,000: Design of a walking/cycling route from Longhedge to Salisbury including Pearce Way, Roman Road, Green Lane and Portway, with proposed surfacing improvements of Roman Road.
Wilton to Salisbury, £120,000: This route includes walking and cycling links between Fugglestone to Wilton Hill, Lower Road to the A3094/A36 junction and Minster Street.