SIR – Three roadwork projects have been completed on the east side of Romsey recently. I think they say a lot about the yawning gulf between the ambitions of the Test Valley Borough Council Cycle Strategy, and what is actually being done.

Winchester Road is designated for an on-road cycle route in the cycle strategy but the new Braishfield Road/Winchester Road traffic lights show no sign of anticipating that. Instead, the narrow and filtered lanes just push people cycling even more into the line of traffic than before. There is no room at all for any kind of on-road cycle lane, never mind the segregated provision that is really needed on this wide and busy main road.

The new development at Birchwood (Baroona) now has a footway but, despite being on a national cycle route, there is no safe cycle link to Romsey. It is a long walk but an ideal cycling distance but would you want to cycle along Cupernham Lane, particularly as a family? I doubt it. This was an excellent opportunity to add safe, segregated cycleways so the new residents could more often leave their cars at home?

Finally, the extension to the canal walk was intended as an improvement to cycle infrastructure. Why then does it have an absolutely horrible surface to cycle on, and staggered barriers at both ends that are particularly awkward for inexperienced and disabled cyclists?

Housing development around Romsey has added well over 1000 homes, and therefore probably about 2000 vehicles, to the local area. However well-intentioned, fiddling about with junctions and a bit of traffic-calming isn't going to have any significant impact on the traffic in Romsey. Surveys consistently show that the main reasons for people choosing to drive for short journeys, rather than cycle, are concerns about large vehicles and poor driving on busy roads. When high-quality cycling infrastructure is provided, people start using it. All three of these projects are missed opportunities and despite two reviews the cycle strategy is barely any further forward than in 2003, when it was first written.

Matt Perks

Romsey