New £15m cycling hub approved despite concerns

Plans for a new £15m regional cycling hub have been approved despite ongoing concerns from "disappointed" locals.

About 50 Lawrence Weston residents objected to the Bristol Regional Cycling Hub development saying it would only be accessible to paying customers, reduce access to green space and increase traffic.

Mark Pepper, chair of Lawrence Weston Planning Forum, described the scheme as a "poorly thought-out [and] expensive-to-access council vanity project".

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of Bristol City's transport and connectivity committee, said once funding is in place his team will address residents' concerns.

The plans include a 1km competition track, an area for new cyclists to learn how to ride, a car park, a main building and new connections to nearby cycling routes.

The application also states the whole site will be surrounded by security fencing and covered by CCTV.

"It breaks my heart that the families who live adjacent to the Centre in blocks of flats will be looking down on a shiny new development but unable to access," Pepper said.

"We did request that discounted or concessionary rates be introduced, but were flatly refused.

"We will now lose a free-to-use green space."

He went on to explain the community is "disappointed" the plans have gone through.

Plowden said: "Now that planning permission has been secured in principle, the next key task is to secure funding for the project from the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority.

"Once this funding is in place, we will be engaging further with residents to help shape the development of the hub's services and operational approach.

"This will include actively listening to and addressing residents' concerns regarding the development to ensure that the centre benefits everyone in the local community."

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