Southwest’s Green MEP has experienced first-hand the challenges of switching to cycling along one of the main through routes of Stroud.
Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the Southwest of England and Gibraltar joined Green County Councillor Rachel Smith and Green District Councillor Martin Whiteside on a cycle ride along the A419 London Road to understand the challenges facing cyclists. Plans are being drawn up for a feasibility study on potential improvements to safety for pedestrians and cyclists on the road from Chalford, through Brimscombe to Stroud.
Molly said “This is one of the rare routes in the five valleys that is relatively flat and could be a great opportunity to cycle, reducing the current high levels of congestion and air pollution. But cycling does need to feel safer in order to tempt people out of their cars and onto bikes.”
Cllr Rachel Smith said “We know the health and environmental benefits of cycling, but it must be safe and convenient for less confident cyclists”.
Cllr Martin Whiteside said “It is frightening to see young people coming off the school buses and crossing the road, there are not enough safe crossing points and there is too much speeding. I would like to look into the feasibility of average speed cameras from Chalford to Stroud, since the police don’t seem to be enforcing the limits that do exist”.
Stroud Town and the three Parish Councils of Brimscombe, Thrupp and Chalford are working with Gloucestershire Highways and the Stroud Cycling Campaign to investigate options for safer walking and cycling along the A419.
Cllr Rachel Smith will be presenting a petition to Gloucestershire County Council at the budget meeting in February. For more information or to sign the petition go to: https://www.change.org/p/gloucestershire-county-council-make-space-for-cyclists-along-a419-between-stroud-and-chalford.