FOR several years, Cotswold District Council (CDC) has been keen to develop cycling in the Cotswolds, mainly for leisure and fitness.

They still promote it on their website with maps to download.

Cycle map for route 5 is for Cirencester to Kemble with section 5a showing a short cut between Cirencester and Ewen starting along Spratsgate Lane.

This section is also part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 45 between Cirencester and Kemble Station. It is far from a rural ride, used as a rat-run into Wilkinson Road in the Love Lane industrial area, southeast of Cirencester.

It is narrow and with a number of blind bends, and is used by drivers who all seem to be rushing as if late for appointments.

The main road is a much safer road for cyclists.

In CDC documents for the ‘Future Growth of Cirencester’ concerning the Chesterton Development, much is made of the integration of the streets and paths with the town and countryside beyond.

What is seen as a positive feature is that ‘the railway station at Kemble is also within easy reach’. Surely it is time to consider using the Cirencester to Kemble disused railway bed as a safe walking and cycling route.

This could be a real legacy for Earl Bathurst, as it would be welcome and used by many commuters from the development and the town, and be of national significance as a new part of the NCN route 45.

What could be better than providing a healthy (and ‘green’) alternative for commuters to and from Kemble Station?

As those who have looked closely at the proposed housing plans can see, the disused railway line forms the eastern boundary of the Bathurst Development and the western boundary of the Great Gable Ltd proposed housing site (Standard January 21).

It should be a no-brainer for the CDC to insist that the work to lay a cycling and walking track is added as a condition to the plans’ approval.

Dr Beeching and Ernest Marples oversaw the closure of both the Tetbury and Cirencester railway lines to Kemble in 1964 in spite of enormous local opposition (“Killed by Marples” Wilts & Glos Standard April 10, 1964).

Since then, we are all more environmentally-conscious of the need to cut car journeys.

Our council leaders and Earl Bathurst have an opportunity to enhance their reputation and provide an enduring legacy. Have they the necessary vision?

TIM CHARSLEY

Cirencester