'We need a safe cycle route' campaigners tell council

A cycling demo will be held in Somerset today to increase pressure on officials to create a new safer cycle link

Author: Andrew KayPublished 20th Mar 2022
Last updated 20th Mar 2022

More than 250 cyclists today travelled along the A38 to call for a cycle link between Taunton and Wellington.

The 'Great Big Safety Ride’ aimed to make it an issue in the upcoming unitary elections - with a view to work starting in 2025.

Jonathan Cox, Deputy Director, for Citizens UK, said: "The A38 between the two towns does not have a cycle path, and is too dangerous for many cyclists to use, which is why the protest will take over the road with a mass peloton for a brief period on Sunday afternoon to make the point.

"Representatives of the four main political parties contesting the elections have been invited to attend (some have already agreed to join the ride) and will be asked to respond and sign Citizens Somerset’s ‘Safe Cycling Pledge’, which it will be asking candidates in the upcoming Somerset Unitary Authority elections to sign:

Citizens Somerset Safe Cycling Pledge:

⦁ promote cycling as a means of sustainable transport across the county;

⦁ support substantial investment in Somerset’s cycling infrastructure so that our county becomes a leader in sustainable transport as well as tackling climate change;

⦁ prioritise the Wellington to Taunton cycle route along the A38 as a first step, aiming to start construction by 2025.

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