Funding bid success could see bridge at Oswestry roundabout

Shropshire Council has submitted an application for almost £2million to the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.

It aims to help councils create an environment that is safer for both walking and cycling.

Included in the bid for Shropshire are four projects, one of which being to put a pedestrian/cycle bridge in place at Mile End Roundabout.

There has been much discussion about whether a bridge would be included in new upgrade plans for the roundabout.

Shropshire Council has been provided with an indicative allocation of £414,000, but there is a competitive bidding process, and bids can be for more or less than the allocated amount.

Councillor Steve Davenport believes the council’s bid is strong and ambitious.

He said: “Improved infrastructure for cycling and walking is a key government priority and this funding aims to help councils create an environment that is safer for both walking and cycling.

“The time allowed to submit a funding bid was very tight – just 19 days – but we’ve submitted a strong and ambitious application, that far exceeds our allotted allocation and shows our determination to provide new and improved cycling and walking facilities in the county.

“We’ll now wait – with fingers firmly crossed – for an announcement.

“In addition to the projects in the bid, we’ve also identified a number of other potential schemes and will submit further funding bids for these when extra funding becomes available.”

The remaining three projects in the bid include; additional and improved cycle parking in all key towns, all current 1,800 miles of existing cycle lanes to be refreshed and a three metre wide cycle and pedestrian footpath in the Bicton to Shrewsbury Town Centre corridor.

The bid also requests funding to replace Porthill Bridge so a new Disability Discrimination Act-compliant bridge can be installed and provide a continuation of the cycle routes.

An announcement is expected in September.