£6.1m is set to be invested in building new and improving existing cycle routes across Nottingham.
The funding is being provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Fund, to create three cycle corridors, with improved signage and the very highest standard of design and construction. A north – south route will enhance existing routes, supplemented by new cycle routes, such as those built as part of the NET (tram) extension, linked together by new sections of cycle track. A quiet route will link parks, canals and riverside sections and a new east – west route will provide a fast cycle ‘super highway’ for rapid and easy access to the city centre and beyond.
The Nottingham Cycle City Ambition programme will also invest in cycle facilities along the routes and will provide support to help improve cycling skills, including offering cycle proficiency training for all school children who want to become safe cyclists.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “Cycling is a key part of the council’s vision for sustainable transport. The new routes are exciting because they will offer something for all types of cyclists – providing quick and safe travel into and across the city, opportunities to cycle for sport and for fun. More Citycard Cycles and Cycle Hubs will be provided and other major cycle infrastructure, such as the new closed road cycle circuit at Harvey Hadden Stadium, will be built.
“Thinking about the needs of cyclists will become part of our future development planning process, to future proof Nottingham as the Cycle City. Cycling is also about fun too, so there will be opportunities for people to join in mass cycling programmes and Nottingham will host major elite cycling spectator events. The Festival of Cycling kicks off this month, with the Milk Race on May 24th. There has never been a more exciting time for cycling in Nottingham.”
The Festival of Cycling is a summer of free cycling activities in Nottingham. Starting with The Milk Race on 24 May, it also include the programme of free guided local bike rides June – Oct, and the return of the Tour of Britain to the city on 11 September. There’s also the opportunity for residents to get involved in cycle training and rides, plus the opening of the new 1.5km cycle track at the newly developed Harvey Hadden Sports Centre in September. For more information visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/festivalofcycling
The Nottingham Cycling Ambition launch event, open to the public, is being held on Thursday 21st May 2015, from 5.30pm at Nottingham Trent University’s Chaucer Building on Goldsmith Street. It will be the first opportunity to see the proposed routes, with short City Council and partner presentations and an opportunity for Nottingham’s cycling groups to ask questions.