Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Threefold rise in cycling in Cheltenham town centre after car ban

Pedestrian footfall also nearly doubled during first fortnight of five-month trial

A trial ban on cars, vans and lorries in several streets in the centre of Cheltenham resulted in a three-fold increase in the number of cyclist recorded passing one location in the Gloucestershire town, according to the local council.

Early results show a 206 per cent increase in the number of cyclists passing through the Boots Corner fountain area.

There was also an 84 per cent rise in pedestrian footfall and an 85 per cent reduction in the number of motor vehicles, says Cheltenham Borough Council.

The increases in numbers of people on foot or bike was said to be consistent across all days and all times sampled, and were calculated based on data collected before the trial began.

James Cleeton, Sustrans England Director South, welcomed the news, saying:  ‘’The initial findings from the trial are extremely encouraging and demonstrate the positive impact reducing vehicles from the centre can have.

“An 84% increase in pedestrian movement can only have a positive impact on the local economy, air quality and create a vibrant place to spend time and travel through.

“We will be watching with interest to see the impact the trial has on the immediate and surrounding areas of the town.’’

The council said that a 38 per cent drop in the number of bicycles parked at Boots Corner was recorded during the two weeks, in line with expectations because railings there were removed for the trial, but with new bike stands now in place it expects bike parking to show an increase when data is next collected.

The trial forms Phase 4 of the Cheltenham Transport Plan, run in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, the local highways authority for the area. The first three phases have been completed, with monitoring showing that they are working well.

Under Phase 4, general traffic is banned from the section of Clarence Street through ‘Boots Corner’, North Street, Clarence Parade and Pittville Street to Imperial Circus. Buses, taxis and cycles, as well as emergency service vehicles, are permitted while loading and unloading is only allowed between 6pm and 10am.

The trial began on 28 June and continue through November, after which it will be reviewed with a decision taken on whether to make some or all of the changes permanent.

Cheltenham Borough Council says that the aims are:

reconnecting the High Street and humanising Boots Corner so that it becomes a space for people rather than simply a functional space we move through

creating an inclusive environment that focusses on public transport access, walking and cycling

creating good quality public realm that enables people to increase their everyday physical activity

improving air quality.

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety said:  ‘’Overall, the data so far suggests that the trial road closure has not have a negative impact on visitors to the high street, actually the reverse. 

“We can see that people travel into town far more by public transport, bike or on foot.  These are the people who are spending money in our shops, enjoying our cafes, bars and restaurants and our wider cultural offer.”

Sam Jones, senior campaigns officer at the charity Cycling UK, told road.cc: “Boots Corner is yet another example that shows the positive impact on the local economy reducing motor traffic flow and making our town centres places where people want to spend time.

“It’s no surprise to Cycling UK that when local authorities increase and improve cycling and walking in our towns and cities, the high street benefits. Studies have repeatedly shown that while cyclists may spend less than car-borne shoppers per trip, their total expenditure is on average greater because they tend to visit the shops more often.

“To a certain degree the Government has realised this, and is currently assisting authorities across England to put together plans to improve cycling and walking.

“However, these plans will go nowhere unless there’s funding attached to make them a reality – which currently there is not.

“Ahead of the Spending Review due in January, Cycling UK is appealing to everyone who wants to see their town centres improve to write to their local authority and MP, asking them to make the case for funding for cycling and walking to the Department for Transport and ultimately the Treasury.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

17 comments

Avatar
Eton Rifle | 5 years ago
4 likes

This is really great news.  From a purely selfish perspective, my daughter is planning to go to university in Cheltenham and anything that improves safety for cyclists is welcome.  If only other towns and cities had the leadership and vision to be this bold. 

Avatar
Hywel | 5 years ago
0 likes

I live & work in Cheltenham's town centre.  The closure is another disastrous nail in the coffin of a town centre that is dying.

These figures are, at least it seems, nonsensical, so I've requested the source stats and data from the councils concerned.  Describing increases and decreases purely in terms of percentage isn't useful - 206% of how many?  What has the change in journeys made by car been?

The closure has only changed access to vehicles other than buses, taxis, and a few other exempt classes for around a mile, and at the outbound end of the closure the road has been made two-way.  This may not seem like a lot, but given that it's part of Cheltenham's backward one-way system it's actually catastrophic.  When the closure was planned no attempt was made to investigate alternative traffic flow, so the knock-on effect in other, much smaller roads, has been significantly detrimental.

I would certainly disregard Cllr McKinlay, who has demonstrated remarkable ignorance in respect of this and other connected schemes, such as the hot-tub planters.

Avatar
Bmblbzzz replied to Hywel | 5 years ago
3 likes

Hywel wrote:

I live & work in Cheltenham's town centre.  The closure is another disastrous nail in the coffin of a town centre that is dying.

These figures are, at least it seems, nonsensical, so I've requested the source stats and data from the councils concerned.  Describing increases and decreases purely in terms of percentage isn't useful - 206% of how many?  What has the change in journeys made by car been?

Asking for the figures is fair enough, but the change in car journeys is given in the text: "an 85 per cent reduction in the number of motor vehicles, says Cheltenham Borough Council."

Quote:

The closure has only changed access to vehicles other than buses, taxis, and a few other exempt classes for around a mile, and at the outbound end of the closure the road has been made two-way.  This may not seem like a lot, but given that it's part of Cheltenham's backward one-way system it's actually catastrophic.  When the closure was planned no attempt was made to investigate alternative traffic flow, so the knock-on effect in other, much smaller roads, has been significantly detrimental.

I would certainly disregard Cllr McKinlay, who has demonstrated remarkable ignorance in respect of this and other connected schemes, such as the hot-tub planters.

Cheltenham has a fairly extensive and complex one-way system, especially for a town of its size. One-way systems in general are at most a minor inconvenience for drivers but force cyclists to take longer routes than would otherwise be necessary and expose pedestrians to danger through higher road speeds, so making previously one-way streets two way is often a good move for people moving around the area, and therefore also for local businesses.

Avatar
whoishJ replied to Hywel | 5 years ago
9 likes

Hywel wrote:

I live & work in Cheltenham's town centre.  The closure is another disastrous nail in the coffin of a town centre that is dying.

These figures are, at least it seems, nonsensical, so I've requested the source stats and data from the councils concerned.  Describing increases and decreases purely in terms of percentage isn't useful - 206% of how many?  What has the change in journeys made by car been?

The closure has only changed access to vehicles other than buses, taxis, and a few other exempt classes for around a mile, and at the outbound end of the closure the road has been made two-way.  This may not seem like a lot, but given that it's part of Cheltenham's backward one-way system it's actually catastrophic.  When the closure was planned no attempt was made to investigate alternative traffic flow, so the knock-on effect in other, much smaller roads, has been significantly detrimental.

I would certainly disregard Cllr McKinlay, who has demonstrated remarkable ignorance in respect of this and other connected schemes, such as the hot-tub planters.

I live and work in the town centre (spitting distance from the new John Lewis and minutes away from this closure). I applaud the audacity of council for putting this into action, even in the face of reactionary nimbyism.

Is the town centre dying? It's having major investment to counteract any 'dying' and we have more shops than we've had for years, of a better quality, and making life easier for pedestrians can only ever be a good thing. Have you been in to town on a weekend? It's rammed.

Cheltenham DOES need to look at it's roads, yes, but slating something that has improved cycling and walking in town does little to help. We should be aiming to reduce car journeys in town everywhere. Most of the complaints I've heard are from parents (I can't drive to pick up my child from school) and shopowners who are under the impression that their businesses are suffering because poeple can't drive directly past their storefront.

The closure of boots corner (and the associated renovations) have made that end of the town centre much more pleaseant (whatever yout thoughts on fake grass).

Any planning that makes driving in town less appealing (without negatively impacting public transport, walking or cycling)  is a good thing, to me.

Avatar
NeilG83 replied to whoishJ | 5 years ago
0 likes

whoishJ wrote:

Hywel wrote:

I live & work in Cheltenham's town centre.  The closure is another disastrous nail in the coffin of a town centre that is dying.

These figures are, at least it seems, nonsensical, so I've requested the source stats and data from the councils concerned.  Describing increases and decreases purely in terms of percentage isn't useful - 206% of how many?  What has the change in journeys made by car been?

The closure has only changed access to vehicles other than buses, taxis, and a few other exempt classes for around a mile, and at the outbound end of the closure the road has been made two-way.  This may not seem like a lot, but given that it's part of Cheltenham's backward one-way system it's actually catastrophic.  When the closure was planned no attempt was made to investigate alternative traffic flow, so the knock-on effect in other, much smaller roads, has been significantly detrimental.

I would certainly disregard Cllr McKinlay, who has demonstrated remarkable ignorance in respect of this and other connected schemes, such as the hot-tub planters.

I live and work in the town centre (spitting distance from the new John Lewis and minutes away from this closure). I applaud the audacity of council for putting this into action, even in the face of reactionary nimbyism.

Is the town centre dying? It's having major investment to counteract any 'dying' and we have more shops than we've had for years, of a better quality, and making life easier for pedestrians can only ever be a good thing. Have you been in to town on a weekend? It's rammed.

Cheltenham DOES need to look at it's roads, yes, but slating something that has improved cycling and walking in town does little to help. We should be aiming to reduce car journeys in town everywhere. Most of the complaints I've heard are from parents (I can't drive to pick up my child from school) and shopowners who are under the impression that their businesses are suffering because poeple can't drive directly past their storefront.

The closure of boots corner (and the associated renovations) have made that end of the town centre much more pleaseant (whatever yout thoughts on fake grass).

Any planning that makes driving in town less appealing (without negatively impacting public transport, walking or cycling)  is a good thing, to me.

As a resident of Cheltenham the scheme has my approval. Anything that reduces motorised traffic and air polution in the town centre is a good thing. It seems as if some people will disagree with anything that inconveniences them or forces them to change their habits even if it is a good thing for the wider public and the environment.

The local Conservative MP has now jumped on the bandwagon of local outrage about the scheme, which is strange considering he is a member of the All Party Parlimentary Cycling Group. 

As for Hywel's comments I do think the stats are suspect, especially the rise in the number of pedestrians, but the suggestion that the town centre is dying is nonsense. Compared to many town and cities across the UK Cheltenham is doing well.   

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to Hywel | 5 years ago
7 likes

Hywel wrote:

I live & work in Cheltenham's town centre.  The closure is another disastrous nail in the coffin of a town centre that is dying.

These figures are, at least it seems, nonsensical, so I've requested the source stats and data from the councils concerned.  Describing increases and decreases purely in terms of percentage isn't useful - 206% of how many?  What has the change in journeys made by car been?

The closure has only changed access to vehicles other than buses, taxis, and a few other exempt classes for around a mile, and at the outbound end of the closure the road has been made two-way.  This may not seem like a lot, but given that it's part of Cheltenham's backward one-way system it's actually catastrophic.  When the closure was planned no attempt was made to investigate alternative traffic flow, so the knock-on effect in other, much smaller roads, has been significantly detrimental.

I would certainly disregard Cllr McKinlay, who has demonstrated remarkable ignorance in respect of this and other connected schemes, such as the hot-tub planters.

Are you going to give an accurate figure on the flow of traffic elsewhere as you appear to be making unsubstantiated claims for smaller roads and that it is "significant"?

How much exactly is that. Oh wait, you haven't actually got any figures at all have you because in your haste to attack someone who is trying to save lives, make the place you live better for everyone and make the air more breathable as well as aiding the NHS you've exposed yourself as a gobshite with nothing to back your claims.

Off you trot sonshine, there's a bridge waiting for you.

Avatar
David9694 | 5 years ago
9 likes

YOU-CAN’T-POSSIBLY-gasp-STOP-ME-gag-DRIVING-MY-c-c-CAR-INTO-EVERY-CORNER-splutter-OF-THE-t-t-tTOWN-IT’S-MY-GOD-GIVEN-RIGHT!!

Avatar
whoishJ replied to David9694 | 5 years ago
5 likes

David9694 wrote:

YOU-CAN’T-POSSIBLY-gasp-STOP-ME-gag-DRIVING-MY-c-c-CAR-INTO-EVERY-CORNER-splutter-OF-THE-t-t-tTOWN-IT’S-MY-GOD-GIVEN-RIGHT!!

You should see some of the comments in the local news about this scheme. It's beyond awful. People claiming that it's discrimination against old people, people claiming that it's hurting their businesses (never mind the fact that there's parkng both sides of the closed road, and none of the businesses I've heard gripe have their own parking people might use which might drive folk away).

All while completely disregarding the fact that money is being pumped into the town centre (hello new John Lewis, re-paving of pedestrianised ones, regeneration of dilapidated storefronts), and the fact that fewer cars means fewer chances for people to be struck by them, and easing foot trafic through the main shopping thoroughfare.

 

Avatar
srchar replied to whoishJ | 5 years ago
6 likes

whoishJ wrote:

You should see some of the comments in the local news about this scheme. It's beyond awful. People claiming that it's discrimination against old people, people claiming that it's hurting their businesses (never mind the fact that there's parkng both sides of the closed road, and none of the businesses I've heard gripe have their own parking people might use which might drive folk away).

All while completely disregarding the fact that money is being pumped into the town centre (hello new John Lewis, re-paving of pedestrianised ones, regeneration of dilapidated storefronts), and the fact that fewer cars means fewer chances for people to be struck by them, and easing foot trafic through the main shopping thoroughfare.

Yep, exactly the same uninformed bullsh*t was spouted prior to Enfield Council's investment in Green Lanes' cycling infrastructure.  A number of local shops have lost my business for displaying breathtakingly ignorant anti-cycling posters dressed up as concern for various other user groups.  "The elderly" (what, old people don't ride bikes?), the disabled (again as though being disabled excludes one from riding a bike - and even for non-cycling disabled people, the scheme included a number of other improvements such as toucan crossings and lowered kerbs), even delivery drivers apparently need special protection from the scourge of cycling infrastructure.

Local Facebook groups still receive frequent uploads of a photo of an empty bike lane next to a queue of cars.  There's no saving the dimwits who think this proves that installing a cycle lane on a single carriageway road, thereby slightly narrowing it, causes traffic congestion (said roads were chocka prior to implementation of the scheme).

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths most people will go to in order to ensure that other people who don't live in their local area can easily drive through it, causing more congestion, reducing air quality, generating traffic noise and generally making the place less nice to live in.

Avatar
Simon E replied to whoishJ | 5 years ago
4 likes

If this trial succeeds then Cheltenham will be yet another example of making town and city centres more pleasant for everyone.

whoishJ wrote:

You should see some of the comments in the local news about this scheme. It's beyond awful.

They have been brainwashed by the cars=revenue hype for so long that anything else must be 'wrong'.

It's the same everywhere. You should see the comments about proposed parking charge increases in Shrewsbury. You'd swear it would be the end of life as we know it. Lots of whataboutery, people finding groups who might potentially be disadvantaged when really they only care about their own convenience. None of them want to admit that their cars are the problem.

 

Avatar
Russell Orgazoid | 5 years ago
8 likes

They should try this out in places like Shrewsbury too.

A town within a loop in the river with bottlenecks everywhere, yet there is a constant (slow or static) stream of big, posh cars riding about the place doing LRTs (lap round town) to find a parking space so they can do important stuff like drink coffee.

I drive, yes, but going into town I ride my bike (6 mins)or walk (30 mins).

Driving means sitting on your arse in the warm and dry. That's one reason it's popular.

Another is because people don't give alternatives a chance or that they are bone idle.

 

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
8 likes

Pretty amazing, massive kudos for them for trying it out. Fingers crossed the car lobby and so on don't jump in and stop it

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
7 likes

It's about time!

Here's an article I happened across yesterday that shows how bad it is for you to not exercise:

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/19/health/study-not-exercising-worse-tha...

Active transport is clearly the easiest way for people to fit more exercise into their lives and having 2 tonne death machines spewing pollution is not really the direction we want to continue heading in.

Avatar
a1white | 5 years ago
15 likes

This is great, other towns should look at these results. Imagine the health benefits if these kind of schemes were adopted more country wide. It's about creating liveable towns that benefit everyone.

Avatar
Hywel replied to a1white | 5 years ago
0 likes

a1white wrote:

This is great

 

It isn't - it's awful.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Hywel | 5 years ago
3 likes

Hywel wrote:

a1white wrote:

This is great

 

It isn't - it's awful.

Could you expand on that - what's so awful about it?

Edit: I should have read your previous post.

I like the sound of hot-tub planters. Imagine going shopping, getting a bit bothered by all the other shoppers, so you just strip off and relax in a hot tub on the road - count me in!

Avatar
Morgoth985 replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
3 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

Hywel wrote:

a1white wrote:

This is great

 

It isn't - it's awful.

Could you expand on that - what's so awful about it?

It's to do with Cheltenham's "backward" one way system.  All those cars driving in reverse around the town is bound to cause chaos.

Latest Comments