'Disgraceful' Gloucester cycle path work sees old paving stones replaced with 'just tarmac'

There are concerns over the impact work to build a new cycle lane through Gloucester is having on the city’s historic centre. Work is underway in Northgate street to install the cycle lane which will be part of the county’s cycle spine connecting Bishop’s Cleeve with Stroud via Cheltenham and Gloucester.

However, city councillors are concerned they did not get a say on the project. Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Westgate) said she hopes the Gloucestershire County Council cycle lane will look better on completion but remains unconvinced.

“So far I am actually very disappointed with the work that is being undertaken in creating a cycleway up through the city centre,” she said. “I cannot see it is in keeping with the historic nature of the centre. I have had many people tell me they liked sitting on the benches outside St John’s Church on Northgate Street, but now they’ve been taken out and the railings too.

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“Across from the church on the corner of St Aldate Street the old paving stones have been removed and it is now just tarmac. At present it is a disgrace and quite frankly a total utter mess and is simply not good enough.

“I hope it’ll look better on completion, but so far I am not convinced. They should have been left well alone and it's a shame local representatives such as myself didn’t have more say in the project at the beginning”.

Councillor Joe Harris (LD, Cirencester Park), the highways chief at Shire Hall, said they are sorry to hear some people are unhappy about the construction. The benches will be reinstated when the project is finished. He has also offered to meet with Cllr Trimnell to explain how they plan to respect the city’s heritage with the wors.

"We understand that Gloucester has a unique history, and we’re sorry to hear that some people in the community are unhappy about the construction. The benches have only been removed temporarily and will be put back when the project is nearly finished.

"We really value what the community and local groups think. That’s why we held a public consultation and spoke directly with key people like the city council before starting the work.

“We listened to the feedback and made changes where we could. We’d be happy to meet with Councillor Trimnell, show her around the site, explain how we’re respecting Gloucester’s heritage, and talk about how walking and cycling improvements can benefit the city."

Traffic lights are planned to be in situ at Northgate junction with Aldate Street until October 3.