News / Chocolate Path
£5m to fix Bristol’s beloved Chocolate Path
With waterside views along the New Cut, the Chocolate Path is not only a joy for Bristol cyclists, but an important off-road route.
Yet, the popular track that runs next to Cumberland Road, from the Create Centre towards Wapping Wharf, has been closed since December 18 due to ‘safety concerns’ and the council is unable to give any indication of when it will reopen.
A total of £5m has been set aside for major maintenance and improvement works to the riverbank pathway in the current budget proposals, with £1m allocated for 2018/19, followed by two further instalments of £2m.
is needed now More than ever
£50,000 has already been spent on assessing the area and while the funding demonstrates a commitment to reopening the pathway, it does not look like cyclists and pedestrians will have the joy of going down it any time soon.
The Chocolate Path has been closed since December 2017
“The Chocolate Path (the north bank riverside footpath), which runs from Cumberland Road to Avon Crescent, has been closed due to safety concerns since 18 December,” a council spokesperson told Bristol24/7.
“The closure will remain in place for the foreseeable future until detailed assessments are complete which cover the level of repairs and maintenance required and available funding.”
Sustainable schemes lie at the heart of the council’s spending on transport, with more than £21m set aside over a four year period for key projects, including Cycle Ambition funded initiatives, bus service improvements and bus shelter replacement.
The council is planning to invest in sustainable transport schemes
There are also plans to invest £3.3m in the Redcliffe bascule bridge and Plimsoll bridge.
The budget recommendations will go before the full council for approval on Tuesday, February 20.
Read more: ‘We need a sustained investment in cycling’
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