Town cycle networks

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Cycling is an important part of Wiltshire’s Local Transport Plan

Our policies are:

• to provide a sympathetically designed, high quality and well maintained network of cycling routes in the principal settlements and market towns and where appropriate, provide links to national routes; and
• to provide high quality cycle parking at key destinations and transport interchanges. Require adequate levels of high quality parking in all new developments with higher levels in market towns.

The council has been working with communities to develop Town Cycle Networks, which show the key cycling routes that exist and the priorities for improvement. These routes link to important destinations, such as large employment sites, schools or shopping areas.

Sometimes improvements might also be made to a route that is not on a Town Cycle Network. Rural routes are more likely to be used by leisure cyclists. They are often shared with horse-riders and there are likely to be a lower number of cyclists using these routes. People in these areas often prefer unsurfaced tracks rather than a hard surfaced cycle path. Improvements to these routes might be made through the Rights of Way strategy, through Area Boards or through developer funding rather than as part of the Town Cycle Networks.

Recently updated cycle networks

The following networks have been recently updated through discussions with the community. As we review the other networks, they will appear here.

• Corsham Town Cycle Network Corsham Town Cycle Network 1mb
• Bradford on Avon Cycle Network Bradford on Avon Cycle Network 1mb
• Amesbury Town Cycle Network - Amesbury Amesbury Town Cycle Network - Amesbury 1015kb
• Amesbury Town Cycle Network - Stonehenge, Bulford and Durrington ATCN - Stonehenge, Bulford and Durrington 4mb
• Routes from Amesbury to Porton Down and Salisbury Routes from Amesbury to Porton Down and Salisbury 3mb

Salisbury Cycle Network

We are currently asking for feedback on the Salisbury town cycle network. Please download the maps below and send us your comments.

• Salisbury cycle network overview Salisbury cycle network overview 4mb
• Salisbury cycle network – north Salisbury cycle network – north 1mb
• Salisbury cycle network – centre and south Salisbury cycle network – centre and south 1mb
• Salisbury cycle network – Wilton and west Salisbury cycle network – Wilton and west 1mb

Explanation of the Maps

Development areas - these areas are proposed for development in the Core Strategy Please note that the boundaries may not be exact and smaller sites have not been included.

Key destinations - most of the major destinations are marked on the map either with a symbol or with a place name. More minor destinations are not shown, but these might include amenities such as local shops, libraries or doctors surgeries.

Existing cycleway - where there is an existing cycle facility that is suitable for less confident cyclists. Some cycle lanes on very busy roads may not be included.

Quiet street - these are streets which are suitable for cycling due to low traffic speeds and volumes. In some cases the route may still need further improvements. Many residential streets are likely to be quiet streets, but only key routes are marked.

Proposed link - major improvements are required. This might be traffic calming, cycle lanes, a shared cycle path or another solution. The route shown is not necessarily the exact route that would be constructed. Further assessment, initial design work and consultation would be needed to select the most appropriate route and design. In some cases, when this work is carried out, the preferred option cannot be achieved e.g. if the council cannot obtain permission for a cycle route on that piece of land, or if a suitable solution cannot be found to accommodate all users.

On street - does not meet ‘quiet street’ requirements, but is still better than an alternative busy route e.g. it might mark a quiet route that has a high gradient, very low traffic flows with speeds over 30mph, or medium traffic flows with low speeds.

Busy - particularly busy or dangerous streets. These may have cycle or bus lanes, but are still not considered suitable for children or less confident cyclists.

Existing Rural Link - a Public Right of Way or permissive path  that connects to the edge of the network and is:

• legally cyclable;
• free of barriers; and
• at least 1 metre wide (preferably 2m) with a good aggregate surface or better.

These routes are not key routes on the Town Cycle Networks, but may be key rural or leisure routes.

Potential Rural Link - a Right of Way or permissive path  that connects to the edge of the network and is:

• not legally cyclable; and/or
• does not meet the quality criteria described in 'Existing Rural Link', but has the potential to be upgraded.

These routes are usually not key routes on the Town Cycle Networks, but may be key rural or leisure routes. These are likely to be referred to Area Boards, the Rights of Way/Countryside team, or to Development Control for funding as leisure routes.

Byways - these may be surfaced or unsurfaced routes. Motor vehicles are sometimes prohibited from using these (a ‘restricted’ Byway). Where motorised traffic is allowed, the number of vehicles is usually very low.

Bridleways - these are usually unsurfaced tracks that may be used by horses, pedestrians and cyclists. These are often suitable for leisure cycling, but may not be suitable for commuters or for children cycling to school.

Footpaths - cyclists may not cycle on these paths.

Send us your comments

We know that local residents and cyclists have a great deal of knowledge of cycle routes already used in the town and routes that could be made into new cycle links.

Your suggestions might include:

• quiet residential streets that are already suitable for cyclists;
• footpaths which could be made suitable for use by cyclists as well as pedestrians;
• roads where cycle lanes or traffic calming measures might encourage more cyclists; or
• footpaths or bridleways that are marked as potential links that you do not think should be improved. What alternative routes are there for cyclists?

Safety, accessibility, convenience, comfort and attractiveness are all key elements of a well-designed cycle route so consider whether your suggested routes could meet these criteria.

Additionally, if you know of any locations where new facilities could be beneficial for cyclists e.g. a crossing point or cycle parking, please let us know.

Please send your comments or queries to transportation@wiltshire.gov.uk

Last updated: 15 May 2012