Cycling City - Constructive Suggestion #2

Last week's constructive suggestion seemed to get a good response, although nothing officially from the Council, so I'll roll out a few more. As noted Cycling City lacks any truly significant 'new infrastructure' projects, the sort of things that will make cyclists feel that it's making a real difference to their lives. So here's what could be called a 'new cycle route', although it's basically an upgrade of existing paths so possible to use now but known to very few.


View Avon Gorge - Blaise Estate in a larger map

The route starts with a detour away from the existing Portway cycle track which uses the wide footway. It suffers from being next to a busy road and the sense of being constantly blasted by the noise of passing traffic. But there is a little used pathway along the river bank a few metres away which is decidedly quieter and opens up splendid views along the river Avon. Such a contrast.


The river Avon at Sea Mills

At Sea Mills my route turns north-east to follow the Trym up to the Blaise Castle Estate at Combe Dingle where the estate paths have recently been upgraded (pic below) and now provide a excellent routes for cyclists, subject of course to the need to slow down and give way to walkers. I suggest that the route from the Avon Gorge and along the Trym valley be upgraded to a similar standard.


Existing paths in Blaise castle estate.

The proposed route would complete a continuous off-road largely traffic free route from central Bristol to Blaise Castle Estate, one of the landscape gems of Bristol. Links at the Cumberland basin could provide links of a similar quality to south Bristol and Ashton Court. The tourism and leisure potential could be outstanding. Does Cycling City have the vision to grasp such an opportunity?


Dingle Road passes over the Trym on a fine bridge.

This delightful route (and more) will be explored next Sunday with a bike ride starting from the Arnolfini at 10am. All welcome, just email me (chrisdothuttattalktalkdotnet) for details.