THE first meeting to assess plans to create a cycling and walking path between Kingswood, Wotton and Charfield, was held on Wednesday night.

Members of the public who attended the first Greenway Group meeting in the Civic Centre in Wotton discussed plans to launch a survey into the idea.

This survey would assess the amount of trips residents make between the three towns, their mode of transport and reason for travel.

Stroud district councillor Catherine Braun (Green, Wotton) and Alex King, who contested the recent town council election, led the meeting.

It was agreed that members of the Greenway Group, which is completely open to the public, would meet bi-monthly, with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 22 from 8pm.

One resident from Charfield, Tony Wilkens, felt that the foot and cycle path would promote huge health benefits.

“I think the strong reason in favour of this is the health reason, I often go out for a walk but this would make things much safer, and it would help Charfield’s infrastructure,” he said.

“It would be great to link up Wotton, Charfield and Wotton.”

Other recommendations from residents urged for an all-weather material for the path, the possibility of including horses on the safe track, having material suitable for road bikes and also the need to develop the cycling infrastructure in each town.

This would include installing more places for people to lock up their bikes, such as outside pubs, cafes and public buildings.

Group members felt that this would boost the amount of people who would use the cycle path.

One concern raised at the group was the upkeep of the path, members discussed that while building the path itself would be expensive, the maintenance costs would be high and consistent.

Moira Buist, who has lived in Wotton for more than 20 years, felt that the proposal of a track to link the towns “just makes sense.”

“There are so many reasons why we should do this, and the idea of a path to link Kingswood, Charfield and Wotton just makes sense,” she said.

“My children and children of friends of mine would be able to cycle to school if there was a safe path and could use it at weekend, and it would also help save money and there would be less pollution.”

Recently appointed Wotton town councillor Rich Hale said the scheme could help reinvigorate the towns.

“It would be great to be able to go out cycling with my kids and not be in traffic, there are lots of tight blind bends on the roads and at the moment it isn’t safe.

“Through work at the Wotton Town Council we are trying to reinvigorate the towns.”

The route would aim to link the three towns but also connect popular sites such as Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School and Renishaw.

Cllr Braun, who is a keen cyclist and walker, feels the path could lend more independence to children.

“The project was actually proposed in 2000 and has been identified by Gloucestershire County Council as a cross-boundary project [with South Gloucestershire Council],” she said.

“I think it would encourage more independence for young people and if Charfield station is reopened then people can cycle there and not clog up all the roads by parking on them.

“And there does seem to be a push for this scheme for the additional health benefits it would bring.”

The chairman of Charfield Parish Council, Cllr Mark Rosher, said that when surveying residents for the neighbourhood development plan, it was found that two thirds of people prioritised a need for more connectivity.

He added: “This would be an excellent project for KLB to get involved with, it would be great if parents can get their children to fill out the survey too.

“We all need to think of our children with this project.”

In addition, the group seeks inspiration from the Cam, Dursley and Uley Greenway, which aims to provide links to Cam and Dursley train station and the new developments in the area.

The Greenway survey will be launched within the next couple months and be kept open for two months, it is hoped the results will be published in the New Year.

It will be available online but also in paper form in shops and public buildings in each of the three towns, a list of the locations will be published once they have been finalised.

Advice is also sought from walking, horse-riding, cycling and running clubs.

For more information on the group visit www.facebook.com/wckgreenwaygroup/ or email wckgreenway@gmail.com