Work by Hampshire County Council, to create a new walking and cycle track in Basingstoke along Brighton Way, will start this September.
The fully segregated route between Brighton Hill Roundabout and Sullivan Road will link directly into the other cycle routes that will be provided as part of the extensive Brighton Hill Roundabout improvement scheme.
Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highway Operations, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we travel, and many people are cycling and walking more. This is an opportune time to make changes to our roads and help to support a prosperous, healthy and green recovery from Covid-19 – making it easier for people to sustain healthier lifestyles, while helping to meet the County Council’s carbon reduction targets as part of our Climate Change Strategy.”
Following a successful public consultation earlier this year, which showed strong support for the scheme, the walking and cycling track has been designed in line with the latest national guidance, which aims to provide high quality cycle routes that are attractive to use and, for improved safety, keep cyclists and pedestrians apart.
The Brighton Way scheme has been funded through Hampshire County Council’s successful bid to the Government’s Active Travel Fund, amounting to £3.28 million, for a range of measures to create better spaces for walking and cycling in local communities.
Works will start today (Monday 27 September) for approximately 16 weeks, with the majority of work being completed off-road to minimise disruption.
Hampshire County Council has appointed Dyer & Butler to carry out the work along the route.