Nottinghamshire County Council has secured £4.63m of funding from the Department for Transport as part of Active Travel Fund work. Active travel schemes are to encourage people to make more journeys on foot and by bike, and are designed to reduce congestion and improve air quality, which includes better cycling lanes and improved walking paths.
There are three major schemes included within the proposals, which are subject to design, consultation and approval. One is on A611 Derby Road (West Notts College) in Mansfield, where a protected cycle track between Cauldwell Road and the existing cycle facility on the A60 Nottingham Road is planned, along with improvements to the Derby Road, Cauldwell Road junction.
Another is on the A612 Colwick Loop Road (Private Road #1 to A6211) in Netherfield, for a new protected cycle track between Private Road number 1 and the Victoria Retail Park, which is hoped to create a route that improves cycle access to a key retail site from nearby residential areas and the city. The scheme is an extension to the proposed upgrade secured through the Transforming Cities Fund.
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The other major plan is on B6021 Kirkby Folly Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, where an upgrade to the existing cycle facility on Kirkby Folly Road and Lowmoor Road, and new cycle facility on B6022 Newark Road and B6139 Coxmoor Road are proposed. It would link Sutton Parkway railway station to Oakham Business Park in Mansfield via existing cycle facilities.
Conservative Councillor Neil Clarke MBE of Bingham West, chairman of the Transport and Environment Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Nationally over the last year, cycling has risen by 46 percent, the highest increase since the 1960s. There are many reasons more people in Nottinghamshire have looked at their transport options and our successful bid highlights the council's commitment to make sure that walking and cycling are encouraged within our communities."
The Government also approved the shortlisting and funding of £79,000 to explore a potential Mini-Holland scheme in Stapleford. A Mini-Holland scheme is to turn an area into a cycling hub, with Dutch-style cycling infrastructure.
The council will work with the local community to identify potential infrastructure improvements. The plans will then go back to government for a further competitive process before it is given the green light to progress.
Councillor Clarke MBE said: "Nottinghamshire County Council declared a climate emergency in its May 2021 meeting and we have been actively looking at ways to tackle the cause and effect of climate change. Transport is a significant factor and I'm encouraged that the Government has recognised our ambitious plans with the funding to explore a potential Mini-Holland scheme for Stapleford.
"The principles of the Mini-Holland scheme reflect our ambitious plans which include prioritising walking and cycling to replace short car trips. Our bid has also been supported by the local MP, Darren Henry."
Conservative MP for Broxtowe, Darren Henry, said: "Having championed Stapleford's bid from the start, I am thrilled that the town has been successfully shortlisted along with a select few locations across the UK for a Mini-Holland feasibility study. This funding will be used to put the local community at the heart of developing proposals to improve cycling and active travel in the town."
