New cycleway and footpath opens

A new cycleway and footpath has been opened along the edge of the Wickwar Road from St Johns Way to Southfield Way, near Peg Hill skateboard park. This will benefit local youngsters, whether travelling to the skate park or to and from Chipping Sodbury and Brimsham Green Schools. It will also provide a very pleasant walk and a link from North Yate to Chipping Sodbury, avoiding all the risks of the dangerous Wickwar Rd.

The land for the route, along the edge of the playing fields, was donated by Chipping Sodbury Town Trust. The path was funded by a £94,000 Natural England grant from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) - in other owrds the tax on quarrying in the area - plus extra funding from South Gloucestershire Council and a donation of stone from Hanson Aggregates.

The project was originally proposed by Cllr Paul Whittle at the Joint Cycleways Group meeting.

Congratulations to all concerned, especially South Glos Council who managed the project.

Photos show the path being opened by Cllr Brian Freeguard, chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, Sodbury Town Mayor Paul Tily, and David Shipp of the Chipping Sodbury Town Trust.

Your correspondent is the one wearing the cycle helmet...

Photos by John Davis

Here is a map of the route:

Red line shows proposed cycle track
View Larger Map