SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is asking people who live in Thornbury to say how easy they find it to get around town – and what could be done to sort out travel problems.
The information people give will be used to help plan changes designed to make it easier to walk or cycle in the town.
The money to pay for them will come from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements Fund, which is reserved for “active travel” schemes and cannot be used for road improvements.
The council says the new project, called Getting About in Thornbury, is “focused on making improvements which will make it easier for people to walk or cycle for short, local journeys, such as going to the shops or travelling to school”.
It has already launched a similar scheme in Yate.
Between now and June 10 the council is encouraging people to go online and complete a travel survey.
There is also an interactive map, where people can highlight places where there is an issue or make suggestions for improvements.
The council says public feedback will be used to produce designs for pedestrian and cycling improvements, which will then be subject to further consultations before being brought in.
‘We are keen to hear from local people, who know Thornbury best’
Cabinet councillor for transport Chris Willmore said: “We know that many local people want the option to walk or travel by bike, but currently don’t think it is safe.
“This new project is a real opportunity to improve walking and cycling facilities in Thornbury and also improve accessibility for people using mobility scooters, wheelchairs or pushchairs.
“Lots of families live in Thornbury and we believe there is opportunity to make it a more family friendly environment.
“There is also opportunity to better connect some of Thornbury’s new developments with older parts of the town.
“We are keen to hear from local people, who know Thornbury best.
“We want to know where a pedestrian crossing would make the journey to school safer or a dropped kerb would make a visit to the shops easier.
“Please don’t assume someone else will report an issue they notice which could be improved; let us know.”
The survey follows the completion of controversial changes to Thornbury High Street, which included banning through traffic and part-pedestrianisation.
The changes, initially brought in during the lockdown, were made permanent despite public opposition.
The new survey can be found online at www.southglos.gov.uk/getting-about-in-thornbury.
Paper copies will be available at Thornbury Library.
People who are not online can also call 01454 868004 for help.
Road maintenance programme published
*The council’s annual road maintenance schedule includes plans to resurface Easton Hill Road, between Knapp Road and Christ The King School, at a cost of just under £217,000.
A stretch of Knapp Road is also due to be resurfaced, at a cost of just over £200,000.
Surface dressing work to improve the A38 Gloucester Road between Four Acre Lane and Thornbury Road, at a cost of just under £83,000, is also on this year’s highway maintenance schedule.
Picture: A cyclist on Thornbury High Street. Photo from South Gloucestershire Council