Nottingham sets out plans for £6.1 million cycling spend

Nottingham City Council has revealed how it plans to spend £6.1 million allocated to improving facilities for cyclists in the city, including creating three “cycle corridors.”

The cash comes from the Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Fund, with the East Midlands city not among the eight to benefit from Department for Transport Cycle City Ambition funding.

The city council has given its programme a similar name – Nottingham Cycle City Ambition – and as well as creating new routes into the city centre from Beeston, Clifton and Hucknall.

It says the three cycle corridors will have “the very highest standard of design and construction” and that it also aims to link existing routes as well as enhancing facilities for cyclists along them.

There will also be a “quiet route,” linking parks, canals and paths along the River Trent, while new cycle routes will also be put in place as part of the extension to the city’s tram system.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, the city councillor’s 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,” she continued.

“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 first of those was the Milk Race, which took place today, with Kristian House and Laura Trott winning the men’s and women’s races respectively.

“The Festival of Cycling kicks off this month, with the Milk Race on May 24th,” she added. “There has never been a more exciting time for cycling in Nottingham.”

Pedals, the local cycling campaign group, said that while it welcomed the council’s proposals, they had to be "the start of something more ambitious," according to a BBC report.

The group is due to hold a Space for Cycling ride on Saturday 6 June, with everyone welcome to attend. More details can be found here.