No cycle link along bridleway
The sustainable transport charity Sustrans want to asphalt over a section of bridleway that runs between Trendlewood Way and Golden Valley Veterinary Hospital and increase its width to 2.5m (8ft). Currently, the route, which is used by many walkers and cyclists, is in poor condition and full of potholes and in places, is just over a metre wide.
The resurfaced section would eventually form part of the Festival Way cycle route that will run from the Create Centre in Bristol right through to Millennium Park in Nailsea.
The project is part of Sustrans's Connect2 project and some of the sections of the eight-mile route have already been completed, including the Flax Bourton Greenway which runs between Flax Bourton and Nailsea. But the link into Nailsea has run into problems after the town council, which owns the bridleway, refused to allow it to be widened and resurfaced.
Councillors vetoed the move after a wave of complaints from residents who said if the path was widened it could encroach on their homes and destroy the valuable wildlife habitats along the sides of the current track.
People living in the Golden Valley area also said they feared that if the path was made wider, it may be used by motorcyclists.
Concerns were also raised about drainage, with some residents concerned the water from the newly surfaced path would flood into their gardens.
Rather than allow Sustrans to widen and resurface the track, councillors have now agreed to look at the possibility of allocating funds so the council can maintain the bridleway – a public right of way – itself.
Nailsea Town Council clerk, Ian Morrell, said: "The town council wants to see improvements to the surface of the bridleway, but considers that a 2.5m-wide asphalt surface is excessive.
"Councillors and residents were also concerned about the loss of character of the bridleway if such a development took place."
Sustrans has been working with North Somerset Council on the plans to improve the bridleway and was planning to make some money available to provide a long-awaited pelican crossing across Trendlewood Way.
Mr Morrell added: "The council was concerned that the proposed crossing on Trendlewood Way was not linked financially to funding from Sustrans for the cycle path and want the council to look at independent funding for this crossing."
Sustrans regional director, Adrian Roper, said: "We are disappointed at the town council's decision, especially as it goes against its own plan to promote cycling and provide better routes.
"Our aim is to create a high quality cycling network and this section of bridleway is a key element of the scheme in terms of linking the cycle route to Nailsea."
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