Cycle lanes plan for Shrewsbury's streets

Cycle lanes could be installed on a number of one-way streets in Shrewsbury under new plans being considered by council chiefs.

The move comes as part of Shropshire Council's "Cycle Shrewsbury" programme to make the town centre easier to navigate for cyclists.

Schemes are being considered in areas of the town including St Austin's Street, Shoplatch, Market Street, Abbey Foregate and Windsor Place.

Alison Kennedy, infrastructure manager for Cycle Shrewsbury, said the measures had been put forward after many requests from the public over the years.

She said: "Contra-flow cycling, including marked cycle lanes and unmarked routes, is now common throughout European and UK cities.

"It is particularly appropriate on streets with low volumes of traffic and low vehicle speeds such as those in Shrewsbury town centre.

"Allowing contra-flow cycling would also address the problem of the small number of people who currently cycle on the pavement, or against the flow of traffic, in one-way street.

"We have identified a number of streets which are suitable for contra-flow cycling."

Cycle Shrewsbury has proved a hit with residents. In November more than 250 people joined the group after a membership campaign throughout Love Your Bike month.

People of all ages took advantage of special activities on offer taking membership to more than 1,000.

In the last six months a Shrewsbury Cycle programme has also delivered more than 140 new bicycle parking spaces in the town.

The facilities were installed following a project with community groups and other organisations to provide cycle parking at privately owned sites.

Sites range from local GP surgeries to church halls, community centres and corner shops.

At Shrewsbury Railway Station, Cycle Shrewsbury purchased 20 cycle stands which are being installed by Arriva Trains Wales.

Existing cycle parking areas are also being repainted after 10 years of regular use. Most feature steel Sheffield stands which are consistently voted as the most secure and robust type of cycle stand.

Detailed drawings of the new cycle lane scheme plus a feedback form are available online at www.cycleshrews"bury.co.uk/about/have-your-say/contra-flow-cycling-on-one-way-streets

All comments need to be received by the end of this month.