A new £15m, state-of-the-art cycling hub is to be built in Lawrence Weston. Bristol City Council’s Planning Committee approved plans last week (Wednesday, April 1) to create the facility on Merriman’s and Henacre Open Space. The regional cycling hub will offer children, families and adults of all abilities a place to ride their bikes.
Plans for Bristol Regional Cycling Hub include everything from a 1km-long, 6m-wide, closed-loop cycling track for training and racing, to a rubberised track training area for Bikeability sessions for SEND pupils and disabled adults. Plus, just a “fun cycling play area” for practising skills and building confidence on your bike.
On top, the cycling hub will provide:
- A two-storey building with offices, public toilets and rooms to hire
- A gated car park with EV charging points for customers
- A new perimeter public footpath around the edge of the site
- A slight diversion and an upgrade to the National Cycle Network NCN41 and Avon Cycleway
- Security fencing, lighting and CCTV
“As a community asset, it will provide more opportunities for people to be active, spend time together and enjoy healthier lifestyles,” said Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee. “It will also help bring people together, create new opportunities for training and work, and support a cleaner, more sustainable city by encouraging more everyday journeys by bike.”
What it won’t offer is a free space for cycling. While an exact fee structure hasn’t been announced, Green councillor Lisa Stone has said: “All this is going to do is create a paywall of £24 to enter a space and cycle around and learn. It’s happened for many years, free of charge, in car parks.”
Beyond the fees, other criticisms of the cycling hub include the loss of green space, as well as an impact on wildlife. But in the end, the long‑term health and well-being benefits of the cycling hub won out. The construction of the Bristol Regional Cycling Hub now remains dependent on securing the necessary funding for the site.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to stay healthy and active in the West and cycling is a great way to stay fit and travel,” said Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England. Access to places where it is safe for children to learn to cycle, and young people and adults to gain confidence is really important.
“We are committed to get people in the West of England moving and encouraging more people to cycle is a big part of that. We are already investing in safer cycling infrastructure across our region, working with Active Travel England and local councils.
“This planning decision is an essential step towards a new regional cycling hub. Now, the combined authority can soon consider the business case for a new regional cycling centre in Lawrence Weston.”
To view the Planning Committee report, head here.
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