New A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycleway to officially open
The official opening and active travel celebration will take place on Friday 22 May 2026 from 1pm to 6pm at Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club on Southam Lane.
The drop-in event gives people the chance to enjoy the new cycleway on their own bike or to use the new footway if walking or wheeling. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the scheme and wider active travel opportunities across Gloucestershire, including the launch of the Cycle Your Patch campaign.
On the day, there will be information displays about the improvements. This includes hands-on demonstrations including e-bikes, adaptive bikes, e‑scooters and cargo bikes, bicycle maintenance advice and a pedal-powered smoothie bike. Information on active travel, transport planning and public health will also be available.
Visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport to attend the event where possible. The venue is easily accessible by active travel and bus, with a bus stop located directly outside. A car park is available on site, but people are encouraged to consider more sustainable ways of travelling where they can.
The A435 cycleway runs between the Honeybourne Line and along the A435 Evesham Road in Cheltenham and the GE roundabout at the southern edge of Bishop’s Cleeve. The new route forms part of Gloucestershire County Council’s commitment to making it easier for people to travel in safer, healthier, more sustainable and more accessible ways, including cycling, walking and wheeling.
Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Strategic Highways, said: “This new cycleway is an important improvement for people travelling between Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve and it’s great to be able to officially open it with the community.
“By creating safer, more accessible routes like this, we’re helping to make walking, wheeling and cycling a realistic choice for everyday journeys, as well as supporting healthier lifestyles and more sustainable travel across the county. I’d encourage people to come along, enjoy the route and find out more about the range of active travel opportunities available in Gloucestershire.”
The scheme has been mainly funded by UK Government through Active Travel funding, administered by the Department for Transport, along with district council Community Infrastructure Levy funding and Section 106 developer contributions.
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman CBE, said: “When you give people a safe, direct and attractive place to ride or walk, they use it - it's that simple. This cycleway isn't just a piece of infrastructure, it's an invitation to thousands of people to leave the car at home and travel in a way that's better for them and better for their community. This is exactly the kind of investment that makes a real difference to real people every single day. It’s particularly encouraging to see this ambition and connectivity in a rural setting".
Anyone wanting to find out more about the A435 Cheltenham to Bishop’s Cleeve Cycleway can visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/a435cycleway