South Gloucestershire Council is encouraging people to help shape the future of active travel along a key route in the area.

The council has launched a consultation to seek views on proposals to improve cycling, walking and wheeling between Warmley and Longwell Green. The proposals focus on combined improvements to two routes, which run parallel to the A4174 Avon Ring Road:

• Improving the existing Ring Road Path from the A420 in Warmley to the A431 Stone Hill in Longwell Green
• Increasing active travel options on Craven Way, Barrs Court.

The suggestions for these routes include:

• A new signal-controlled junction to replace the existing mini roundabout at Craven Way, near Asda
• A new signal-controlled crossing with dedicated space for cyclists on Marsham Way
• Improved shared-use path for cyclists and walkers
• Resurfacing and widening the Ring Road Path to three metres where possible
• New and upgraded zebra crossings
• Priority road crossings for cyclists and pedestrians
• Speed limit reduction on Craven Way
• Improved signs and lighting.

These proposals have been funded by central government’s Active Travel Fund 4 as part of a wider programme to improve active travel and public transport across the region.

The council wants to find out local people’s views to finalise the proposals and adapt them to meet the needs of the community. All feedback gathered will inform an Outline Business Case submitted to the West of England Combined Authority, which would then be used to support a future funding bid to deliver the improvements.

The aim of the Warmley to Longwell Green Active Travel Improvements are to:

• Make travelling by bike and walking/wheeling safer
• Make active travel more attractive and convenient to people
• Encourage more people to switch to these travel options, and therefore:
• Take vehicles off the roads and reduce congestion.

We want to make it easier for people to cycle, walk and wheel around our area. There are some really dangerous crossing points on that route that we want to sort out – but we need local views on whether these are the right solutions.

Our aim is to provide greater options for people to choose how they travel, by reducing barriers and setting up sustainable alternatives that help encourage more people to get out of their motorised vehicles more often.

Councillor Chris Willmore, cabinet member responsible for transport at South Gloucestershire Council

The money available for active travel projects can only be used for new transport infrastructure and cannot be used for funding bus services, filling potholes or other council functions such as social services, education or libraries.

For further information or to participate in the feedback survey, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/warmley-longwell-green

The consultation is open until midnight on Tuesday 10 September.

Drop-in events will also be held for the community to find out more, meet the project team and ask questions. These events will be a mixture of in-person and online.

Events include:

• Monday 22 July – 3pm to 7pm at Warmley Community Centre, Deanery Road, Warmley, BS15 9JB
• Thursday 8 August – 6pm to 7pm online via Microsoft Teams (register via the website)
• Wednesday 4 September – 3pm to 7pm at The Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green, BS30 9DU.

You can also get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to request a paper copy of the materials by emailing [email protected]