PLANS to launch a survey into a possible cycling and walking path linking Wotton, Kingswood and Charfield have received rousing support from councils in the area.

The survey, proposed by Stroud district councillor Catherine Braun (Green, Wotton) have received support from Wotton Town Council and Kingswood and Charfield parish councils.

Data on journeys between the three towns would be collected in the survey to assess whether funding should be sought for the paths as an alternative to the busy and narrow B4058.

“I'm delighted that the local Parish and Town Councils have supported this transport survey,” said Cllr Braun, who is a keen cyclist and walker herself.

“It's just the first step in what will be a long process to establish options for a safe, off road cycling and walking path to connect our local communities.

“Of course any kind of new scheme, if approved, would take many years to deliver, and this survey will show whether there is demand for the route and local support to make it happen.”

A future scheme could potentially look to extend the existing off road paths from Wotton to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School and on to the Wotton Community Sports Foundation skate park.

Many people from Kingswood, Charfield and Wotton have already expressed their interest in the project – which was previously proposed to Gloucestershire County Council back in 2000.

Charfield Parish Council confirmed that it would be interested in supporting the survey and the project.

However apprehension was expressed by councillors, along with those on Wotton Town Council that they did not wish to raise the expectations of residents only to have them dashed.

Wotton town councillors stated that they would support the notion but would not like the plan to detract from the possible reopening of Charfield Railway Station.

A local meeting to discuss the transport survey and the project for a cycling and walking path is planned to be held at the Civic Centre in Wotton on Wednesday, September 27 from 8pm until 9.30pm.