Ideas for Cricklade

Have you ever walked, jogged or cycled through Cricklade and thought about how much more enjoyable it could be with better footpaths? If so, you are not alone. Many residents and visitors share this sentiment. The Active Travel Initiative for Cricklade aims to improve our walking routes, making them safer and more accessible for everyone.

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of footpaths and cycleways, how you can get involved, and the role of maps and feedback in shaping our community.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our initiative focuses on several key objectives:

1. Assessment of Current Footpaths: We will evaluate existing footpaths to identify areas that need improvement.

   
   

2. Community Feedback: We want to hear from you! Your feedback is crucial in understanding what changes are needed.

   
   

3. Mapping: We will create detailed maps of the footpaths, highlighting safe routes and areas for improvement.

   
   

4. Implementation: Based on feedback and assessments, we will work on upgrading the footpaths.

   
   

5. Promotion: We will encourage walking as a primary mode of transport in Cricklade.

   
   

By focusing on these objectives, we hope to create a more walkable and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Initial thoughts for paths

Path 1 - commuting safely to Swindon

Several of us currently cycle into Swindon for work, but there's no safe way of getting there. the two options cyclists have is over the bridge at the Steam Railway station or down the Pry, which suffers heavy and fast traffic at most times.

There are two options to address this, either allow a cycletrack along side the railway line or widen the bridge to allow cyclists to get over to the East of the tracks without risking fast lorries approaching you over the constricted bridge.

Path 2 - High street to Stones Lane

This uses the length of Bath Road, which together with a pelican crossing on West Mill Lane, will link up to the cycleway behind the leisure centre and the national cycle route to Purton's Hays Knoll.

Path 3 - Purton Road to Malmesbury Road

From the Hitchins roundabout this can upgrade current highways and allow separation between pedestrians, cyclists and road users for safety.  Currently the path from Hitchens to the Forty is in the process of being adopted, but with this it could be broadened to ensure dog walkers and cyclists are able to maintain safe distances.

Path 4 - Southern Bypass

This option is only feasible if the option of a Southern bypass comes to fruition. The inclusion of footpaths and linking to the cyclepath to Swindon would also be included in this option.

Path 5 - Thames Path West

The proposed upgrades to this might include making this section wheelchair accessible, on condition that motorbikes and scooters would not be able to use it.

Path 6 - Newland Homes

Newland homes intend to develop areas alongside Reeds and Home ground.  We would include provision for active travel into their plans and no cost to the Town or Wiltshire Council.

Path 7 - Common Hill to Stones Lane

This lane is currently very weather dependent as to when it can be used, the upgrade existing footpath and needs a footpath along Common Hill (B4040)

initial idea for how we could make things better for walkers, joggers and cyclists

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our events. Together, we can make Cricklade a better place for everyone.