Residents are being urged to have their say on plans to make it both easier and safer to ‘get on your bike’ in Newport.
A public consultation has launched on proposals to upgrade the footpath that runs behind Fairlee Road into the town centre.
Under the scheme, the former railway line between Mews Lane and Newport Quay would be upgraded with a smooth, all-weather surface, creating a safer route for cyclists away from the busy main road.
As part of the plans, the path would also be widened in places to enabled shared use with pedestrians.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said the scheme would provide greater connectivity to residential areas, schools, businesses and the town centre. He said:
“We may be in national lockdown now and staying at home to keep our community safe, but in time, more people will travel again.
“This plan will help more people to travel safely by bike or on foot, rather than in cars on their commute, all the while providing space to maintain social distancing.”
The footpath was identified as a priority route to and from Newport in the council’s Local Cycling and Walking Plan published last year. It has since secured £235,000 from the government through its Active Travel Fund to deliver the scheme, should it receive support.
Councillor Ward added:
“This funding has been provided to help us enable active travel routes during the COVID-19 pandemic that support people who cannot work from home to travel safely.
“We expect works to commence in the spring following consultation with local people, road users and those who already use the route. You can complete our survey online.”
To have your say on the plans, visit https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Sports-Development-Unit/Stay-Active-During-Lockdown/.
I use this path to walk to and from work every week day and welcome any improvements.
I hope cyclists will respect any pedestrians using the path and not expect us to just jump out of their way. Sorry I appreciate some cyclist are polite but sadly not many. I therefore really hope the path will be wide enough for safe passing.
I believe this refers to FOOTPATH N208.
It is not a cycleway or cycle path.
It is not wide enough for starters and i believe it does not conform to any standards to be a cycle path.
Part of the path runs over an infill site that was found to contain asbestos, which appeared in a local paper many years ago from memory.
NO brainer, of course it should happen.
Comes out at Newport Quay/Sea Street, Short ride up Quay street to the High Street or left National cycle path goes through to Sandown. Or right and right again to join National cycle path to Cowes. It couldn’t come out in a better place!!
They need to reinstate the sections they have closed off for it to be any good, tinkering with it won’t fix the major problem which is the bridge over the track to Belmont Farm and the section by the solar farm that they have closed off. It was called the Newport to Ryde cycle track for a reason.
As for wanting our views, they never listen to anything the rate payers say, it is just an exercise they have to go through to satisfy government.
Ahh yes,.. but don’t forget that our illustrious MP has plans to revamp the railway from Havenstreet to Newport, via that route,.. so no point spending money upgrading it to a cycle track, only for Bob to return it to a railway LOL.
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/seely-seeks-study-to-extend-railway-line-but-steam-railway-says-it-would-be-challenging/
Or perhaps it could be both???
The cyclists would obviously have to get out of the way of the trains, or get squished
So the louts can then score a electric cycle and share their anti social behaviour far more easily and spread their harm to the countryside where at present the majority are too lazy to walk or cycle too.
See what is LIKELY to happen, BEFORE it does.
‘Score an electric cycle!’ Is that the new addiction? So the addict goes up to the dealer on a darkened street corner and says ‘Got any electric bikes?’ Dealer, ‘How many do you want?’ Addict, with a shrug and pause says ‘…one’
As said below, compulsory purchase needed of the old railway between Belmont Lane bridge and Mew’s Lane. (Should never have been sold off) And of course put down a decent track where the embanked line has been bull-dosed out or allowed to be grown over.
A cycle lane linking Ryde to Sandown would be great. I wonder if they could squeeze one in alongside the existing railway line. It could pop out at Quarry Road/Pig Leg Lane one end and near the Station in Sandown the other. It could intersect with the Quarr Loop cycle route at the end of Monkton Street/the seafront in Ryde and in Sandown it would meet up with existing cycle routes to Newport, Shanklin, Godshill etc. Someone could run a little cafe at Brading Station for the cyclists in the summer to stop and admire the views.
Yes we need more of these, more bikes less cars. But what we also need is for some roads to block cyclists from using when they have safer options. So many times seen a cyclist causing a tail back in a 50 zone when just over the hedge there is a cycle path.
Where and when was this please?
When cycle tracks follow main roads, there needs to be a cycle lane on each side of the road, they then get used as they are safer. The current footpath along Fairlee Road, is a cycle lane in name only and is dangerous. All the drivers moaning about cyclists not using this cycleway ( footpath ) need to try it. The proposed new scheme does not follow the road, so is brilliant in every respect, yes please, asap,
IWC.
Why would it matter? The entire country isn’t allowed out of their homes because of a “deadly virus” which is basically the flu. Grow up UK.
Imbecile.
If the council can afford this, they don’t need to increase council tax next year. If they are hasrd up for funds completely unessential schemes like this should be scrapped. If the cyclists want it let them pay for it.
Don’t you think the rise in council tax is paying for it ,well partly
Actually, in this instance, no it isn’t.
Did you not read the bit in the article that said that government (not the council) are paying or it?
Cycle track by the race course, nutters prefer to hold HGVs up.
No cyclist uses it
This Money could be spent on the missing link between Mews Lane and Belmont Lane which would benefit all.
Yet another way to waste our money and demand a over inflation rise in council tax it’s like County Hall heated to 24c and they open the windows because it’s too hot
From first comment our money refers to what the artical where the funds were coming from, secondly if money can be secured then no increase in the council tax
Brilliant idea, and then extend a cycleway into Ryde from Newport ! Be much safer than trying to use the roads, up Binstead Hill, and Quarr hill especially.