Council listens and pauses to reflect on trial cycle and bus lanes

Cheshire West and Chester Council has listened to its residents’ feedback on the borough’s Trial Cycle and Bus lanes in Chester and has paused their introduction while it reflects on the views expressed.

The Government’s ‘Gear Change’ vision, published in July, highlights that there is a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate active travel. Councils have been told to re-allocate road space for significantly increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, with some streets becoming bus and bike only. Government provided an online tool to help identify promising locations for new cycleways, complementing local knowledge.

Over the last few months the Council has consulted with the public on plans for a number of potential active travel initiatives, including trial cycle and bus lanes across the borough. The A51 and A5116 were both identified as immediate suitable corridors for this purpose and the Council received funding of £161,000 from the Department of Transport for these and other active travel schemes.

Cllr Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport said: “The issues we are facing require a step change in cycling, walking and public transport. This is vital to address challenging issues including improving air quality, combatting climate change, improving health and wellbeing, and addressing inequalities.

“We have received Government funding for combined cycle and bus lanes that require delivering at pace.

“We pride ourselves on being a listening council and have been taking heed of people’s feedback about their introduction. We would like to thank everyone for their input so far. We are now going to take a pause and reflect on the feedback we have received.

This is very much an experimental process, and we are keen to continue to listen and learn.”

Residents and road users still have the opportunity to share their views on these initiatives as part of an ongoing consultation exercise.  Observations received will help shape future decision making. To have your say please send through any comments to: transportstrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Further updates will be provided in due course. In the meantime, both lanes of A51 Boughton and A5116 Liverpool Road are in use for all motorists, and the experimental cycle and bus lanes here are not in use.