People in Netherfield think plans for a new cycle track on A612 Colwick Loop Road is a ‘good idea’ as a £4.6m scheme is proposed to transform travel in Nottinghamshire.
Nottinghamshire County Council has secured £4.63m of funding from the Department of Transport as part of the Active Travel Fund network. The travel schemes are designed to encourage people to make journeys on foot or by bike to reduce congestion and the impact on the environment.
The travel scheme involves a new protected cycle track in Netherfield, on the A612 Colwick Loop Road. The new track is proposed to be between Private Road number 1 and the Victoria Retail Park.
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Taya Steves, 21, from Netherfield told Nottinghamshire Live that she likes the plans for a new cycle track. “I think it’s a really good idea. I was thinking about getting a bike so I think I will now. I start work early and I would definitely feel a lot safer riding a bike because there’s less chance of someone catching up with you.”
It 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.
Sue White, 67, spoke on how it would help improve the environment. She said: “I think it’s a really good idea because that road is very busy, it is all going to be a lot better for the environment which is obviously a bonus. I do have a bike, but I wouldn’t ride it on those roads.”
Plans also involve a protected cycle track in Mansfield on the A611 Derby Road, between Cauldwell Road and the existing cycle facility on the A60 Nottingham Road with improvements to the Derby Road, Cauldwell Road junction.
Another resident from Netherfield Joanne Smith, who is 55, also told Nottinghamshire Live that she backs the plans. She said: “I think it would be a good idea, I come here three times a week and I always drive because I don’t feel safe coming any other way really. If there was a protected cycle lane that could also be used by pedestrians then I think I would walk.”
Another 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.
A cyclist from Netherfield, named Ann, who is 70, told Nottinghamshire Live she is all for the plans. She said:” That road is frightening for me - we have a strange sort of cycle path. Even on the side of Sainsburys, it’s just not safe for us. I’m a keen cyclist, I cycle even on holiday.
“I’m all in favour of it - absolutely. It’s terrible, the lorries and they’re building houses - it’s really busy this is. I'm all for it.”
Yvonne Lee, who is 81, said: “It would definitely help to have a protected cycle path. I don’t think it’s too bad during the day, but we would never walk around here if it was really busy.”
Her friend Janet Frost, 85, added: “I can’t see it will do any harm. It will be good for the environment and the local community.”
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