IN HIS letter concerning a possible cycle track to Kemble, Jeremy Handel of Bathurst Development Ltd (BDL) raised several good points (Standard, April 14). 

I am pleased that BDL ‘reviewed’ the feasibility of this, and it would be useful to all if they published their report in your newspaper. 

I do, however, take issue with their statistics, based on the March 2011 census.

Since then, the Office of National Statistics have recorded that net migration to the UK has been 1.1m people, though population figures show a UK growth of about 1.8m. 

This is highly relevant, since this is the very reason the Government, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and Cotswold District Council (CDC) argue that Cirencester must have the 2,350 houses in South Chesterton. 

More people mean more houses needed.

BDL thus would not even exist were it not for these facts.

This is not the only statistic that has changed dramatically since the census.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers, since 2011 there are 1.1m extra cars on UK roads. More people use more cars.

As BDL must be aware, it is the Conservative Government’s ambition to reduce car usage as and where possible, either by using public transport or by cycling.

That this is very current thinking I draw your readers’ attention to two recent government papers: Highways England’s ‘Cycling Strategy’ of January 2016 and the DoT draft ‘Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy’ of March 2016.

When Robert Goodwill, Minister for Cycling and Walking, launched the latter, he was quoted as saying: “Delivering this long-term plan will require patience, persistence and a change in attitudes – amongst government, local bodies, businesses, etc. We are determined to make this country a cycling and walking nation.” 

He also said that more than £300m was committed to support cycling and walking.

The Government clearly has vision, so where is the vision of our councillors and BDL? 

The Earl Bathurst has made much of South Chesterton being his ‘legacy’ to Cirencester.

For ‘legacy’ I read his ‘vision’ for the completed development in 2030.

Surely, it is but a small step to enlarge the ‘legacy/vision’ to include what will be a major asset to Cirencester of an off-road cycle way to Kemble, with its considerable potential for reducing car usage?

TIM CHARSLEY
Cirencester