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.
Threefold rise in cycling in Cheltenham town centre after car ban
road.cc) 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… [Read More]
