Walking and Cycling

Since 2017, Stroud District Council has been actively investing in Walking and Cycling projects throughout the district with the aim to remove constraints and encourage more people to choose walking and cycling as an alternative to car travel. An increase in walking and cycling brings many benefits including:

· Reducing car use: less pollution, carbon emissions and congestion

· Health and well-being: benefits to physical and mental health

· Financial benefits: no fuel costs

Stroud District Council is not the Local Highways Authority. If you have any issues or queries related to highways or public rights of way, please contact Gloucestershire County Council Highways Team

Does your organisation have a project that will remove barriers to walking and cycling in the district?

The aim of the fund is to drive delivery on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for the district (as issued by Gloucestershire County Council), and to help realise Stroud District Council’s wider Active Travel ambitions. Funding is divided between smaller local projects and larger strategic projects. See the Projects drop-down below for examples of the different types of projects which have received funding.

To apply for funding, complete the form in the below link and return to walkingandcycling@stroud.gov.uk. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Walking and Cycling Fund Application Form

Applications will be assessed against a prioritisation tool. Criteria for the prioritisation tool can be viewed here.

Free, Secure Cycle Parking for Small Organisations

Stroud District Council has partnered with Life Cycle to provide free bike stands for businesses and organisation across the district.

Funded by SDC through our Walking and Cycling project, your organisation can apply for up to 5 free "Sheffield" cycle stand hoops to help create greener, healthier and more accessible communities.

The campaign has been very successful with an initial take up of 100 bike stands, topped up by a further 50 bike stands. To maintain this momentum we have funded a further 50 stands to be applied for in the district.

Whether your organisation has existing cyclists in need of better bike storage, or you want to encourage people to cycle to your organisation, find out more and apply here.

An example of some of the completed projects that have benefitted from the Stroud District Council Walking and Cycling fund:

Horsley Cycling and Walking Project

There were 2 elements to this project. Firstly an improvement to the local footpath network, including improved surfacing and accessible stiles to provide routes between the hamlets, Horsley village, and Nailsworth. Secondly, a new cycling hub at Horsley Village Hall with a rack, covered shelter and repair station.

Transition Stroud Community E-Bike Loan Scheme

The Walking and Cycling fund has helped Transition Stroud to introduce a new e-bike loan scheme in the district with hubs in 3 locations, and plans for more in the future. More details of this scheme can be found here.

Nailsworth Bike Pump and repair Station

As part of an improved bike storage area, Nailsworth Town Council have been able to install a bike pump and repair station in the town centre with the help of Walking and Cycling funds.

Nailsworth to Ryeford Cycleway Resurfacing

One of the larger strategic projects, Stroud District Council allocated funds to widen and resurface this existing cycleway in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council. The cycleway was resurfaced using a recycled tyre surface which is user friendly for horse riders a swell as walkers and cyclists.

Feasibility and Design Work

As part of our commitment to work with Gloucestershire County Council to deliver on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for the district, and to help realise Stroud District Council’s wider Active Travel ambitions, we continue to allocate funding to the feasibility and design of strategic routes throughout the district.