People in Amesbury area asked for their views on new cycling and walking scheme

People in the Amesbury area are being asked to share their views on a proposed cycling and walking facility on Countess Road, that would link the town centre to Woodhenge and on to Larkhill and Durrington.

The proposed scheme begins in the centre of the town, where it will link to the new cycling and walking scheme on the A345, The Centre. From there, the shared use path will go along Countess Road, over the A303 Countess roundabout with safe crossing facilities, then north to Fargo Road and Woodhenge, from where cyclists and walkers can head to Larkhill and Durrington via the Packway.

The scheme would eventually form part of the cycling and walking routes from Amesbury past Stonehenge. This would encourage tourists to head to Amesbury town centre while visiting the ancient monument and would boost the local economy.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: This scheme will improve the cycling and walking links from Larkhill and Durrington to and from Amesbury, and make it easier for commuters and leisure cyclists to leave their cars at home if they wish.

I'd urge people in Amesbury, Larkhill, Durrington and the surrounding area to take part in the survey and let us know their views on these proposals, so we can ensure the route is suitable, and we can tap into that wealth of local knowledge about specific points along the route.

As part of our business plan, we have pledged to increase the use of walking and cycling, and ensure we have vibrant, well-connected communities, and this scheme meets those goals.

For most of the route, the scheme would adhere to the Department for Transport's design standards, which set out how high-quality and safe cycling and walking infrastructure should be constructed.

The survey closes on Friday 23 September, and once complete, the feedback will be considered before the council creates detailed scheme designs. Work would start on the scheme in 2023, for completion by the end of March 2024.

To find out more and to take the survey, people should go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-new-active-travel-schemes.