From
the Oxford MailOpinion: If your journey is under five miles, cycle it - don't drive
An excellent idea - so (here in Melksham) why do people not cycle more? I was at a Town Centre meeting on Saturday - I could have cycled, but I did not. Speaking with a fellow councillor, she had thought about cycling but hadn't done so either.
1. The security of our cycles, even when locked to a hoop provided beside the Town Hall for the purpose, concerned us both
2. Other facilities - such as keeping the cycle dry, and where to keep the extra clothes and helmet during the day
3. There are sections of the road into Town for both of us which are not cycle friendly; the pavement is pedestrian (and mobility scooter!) only and really not wide enough for cycles too, and the main carriageway takes one lane of traffic each way that backs up behid cyclists; some motorist overtake in what cyclists feel are dangerous ways (fast, close, at the blind hill brow)
We know the town ... others (and that includes many none-cycling residents) do not and in places even where there are good or reasonable cycle ways, they are not properly signposted.
Realistically, even with all these things sorted, cycling is not always the solution. Many people are not able to cycle - it could be age, it could be young children, it could be medical. At times, there may be more to carry than you can manage on your cycle. And it might be unattractive in the cold (or heatwave) and wet, or be a journey that you need to make by car more quickly. You might be tired, or under the influence of alcohol.
But, I think we could do better in Melksham.
If you think that then, grahame, then you will also note some crucial dates in your upcoming diary:
Firstly, there is the latest "engagement process" on the proposed Melksham Bypass -
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/engagement-on-next-stage-of-proposed-melksham-bypass-begins-today - which has apparently concluded from the first "engagement process" that "the people" want long bypass route option 10c, plus various potential walking and cycling measures.
No doubt some will be pointing out that in the public consultation, when respondents were asked to rank each option from "most preferred" to "least preferred", the "10" group of bypass options only came in 8th place in terms of "most preferreds", with Walking & Cycling improvements coming top, Rail improvements coming 2nd, and Bus improvements coming 3rd - See Page 12, Section 10 of
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/mirror/A350_Melksham_Bypass_Public_consultation_report_FINAL.pdfTherefore, it is logical to conclude that the current plans for a Melksham Bypass will only remain credible if Rail and Bus improvements are implemented as part of the overall scheme package, alongside the various potential walking and cycling measures.
Secondly -
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/council-seeks-views-on-two-new-cycling-and-walking-schemesWiltshire Council wants to hear from residents and businesses on two new proposed cycling schemes in the county.
The first of the two new cycling schemes is intended to link Hilperton to Melksham via Semington, removing the need for cyclists to travel on the road of this section of the A361. There are two possible routes for people to comment on: both routes would start at Hilperton, with a closure on Devizes Road, and a length of shared-use path on the north side of the A361. The first route would then follow the A361 to Semington; the second route would access via byways 21 and 22 through to St George's Road in Semington. Both routes would then follow along Semington High Street and towards Melksham before reaching the A350.
The second proposed scheme is an Easton Lane cycle link between Chippenham and Corsham that would see the prohibition of motor vehicles on Easton Lane at the bridge over the A350, removing through traffic and creating a light traffic route, before linking with the Wiltshire Cycleway.
Both of the proposals have already been subject to consultation and received widespread general support, but the council now wants to hear people's views on the specifics of the schemes.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "We have received £681,000 from the Department for Transport's Active Travel Fund to improve cycling and walking routes in Wiltshire.
"The two proposed cycling routes have already been subject to a wider consultation on cycle schemes in the county, and they received widespread support, but we now want to hear people's views on the proposals, to see if there is anything we can do to improve them.
"I'd urge anyone with an interest in the two proposals, and people with an interest in modes of travel in the county, whether that is motoring, cycling or walking, to take the survey to let us know their views.
"We know that cycling and walking bring many benefits to health, air quality and carbon reduction, and we are looking to implement more schemes in Wiltshire to make it easier for people to choose active travel where they can."
The engagement ends at 23:59 on 18 July. To find out more and take the survey, go to
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-new-active-travel-schemesIn our current
Option 24/7 proposals, we place great emphasis on integrating cycle routes with bus and rail in towns like Melksham, and these proposals could throw up the opportunity to do this on a significantly wider scale, with the Hilperton-Melksham cycle route potentially aligning with a Bus Back Better-improved high frequency Chippenham-Melksham-Trowbridge bus route, and improved TransWilts Rail services facilitated by Melksham line double tracking/dynamic looping.
Similarly, the Chippenham-Corsham cycle route could potentially align with the proposed high frequency
Wiltshire Whippet Chippenham-Corsham-Bath bus route, and improved rail services facilitated by a new Corsham railway station.
