Gloucestershire County Council is poised to take over the delivery of the Honeybourne Line Cycle Link, a vital £2.43 million project designed to enhance walking and cycling connections in Cheltenham. The initiative aims to create a safer, seamless route between Cheltenham Spa Railway Station and the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, improving access across the town.
Originally developed by Great Western Railway (GWR), which invested £500,000 in initial design and approvals, the scheme includes upgrades to the station forecourt, car park, and an off-carriageway cycle path extending beyond the station boundary. With these foundational elements in place, the county council is considered best placed to manage the full delivery of the project.
Pending Cabinet approval on July 23, the council will assume all responsibilities from GWR, including project delivery and funding commitments. Authority will also be delegated to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Road Safety, to oversee construction contracts.
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Cllr Roger Whyborn emphasized the council’s commitment: “Our goal is to make walking, wheeling, and cycling safe and convenient for everyday journeys. Taking over this project will unlock a crucial missing link in Cheltenham’s active travel network, connecting the rail station to key town destinations and supporting sustainable transport ambitions.”
The funding for the scheme comes from a blend of sources including county capital, S106 contributions, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee, and a subgrant from Sustrans via Department for Transport Cycle Rail funding. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 if approved.
Currently, cyclists traveling between the Cheltenham Spa station and the A40 Lansdown Road must use busy roads with traffic risks or take indirect routes. The Honeybourne Line Cycle Link will create a safe, off-carriageway shared-use path along the eastern side of the station car park, passing underneath the A40 bridge and connecting to existing cycle paths on Shelburne Road and the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine.
This new connection will reduce dependence on cars for station access, easing parking demand and local traffic congestion. Moreover, it will provide direct access to the 26-mile Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, stretching from Stroud to Bishop’s Cleeve, weaving through Gloucester and Cheltenham to form a comprehensive active travel network.
Ultimately, the Honeybourne Line Cycle Link will promote greener travel, help lower carbon emissions, enhance public health, and make cycling and walking safer and more appealing options for commuting, leisure, and accessing transport hubs throughout Gloucestershire.