Wiltshire Council is inviting residents, businesses, and road users to take part in a public consultation on a proposed shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists in Devizes.

The proposed 3m-wide path would run along the north-western side of London Road, between Brickley Lane and Windsor Drive and replace the existing on carriageway cycle lanes. It seeks to improve active travel options along this key corridor, enhancing connections between existing and planned housing developments – including Quakers Walk, Lay Wood, and Coate Bridge – and employment and retail areas such as Hopton Industrial Estate and the town centre. It also aims to provide safer active travel choices for pupils attending Trinity School and Devizes School.

The north-western side of London Road has been chosen because it offers a more practical and consistent route than the south-eastern side of the road, and room can be made for a continuous 3m-wide shared use path (except at Canal Bridge) by reallocating existing road space, helping to maintain traffic flow. While the south-eastern side has some wider footways and fewer junctions, it also includes narrow sections near Quakers Road that would need footway widening and the removal of a key right-turn lane, which makes it less feasible and may cause additional congestion.

Walking and cycling connectivity will be improved with a new raised junction at Brickley Lane and Church Walk, and a crossing at Brickley Lane, linking the path to local schools and the town centre via Church Walk. Further upgrades are planned for the existing shared use path between Windsor Drive and Horton Road, including improved crossings, clearer signage, and repositioned street lighting to enhance visibility and safety.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, said: “We’d like to hear from the people of Devizes and the surrounding areas on this proposed shared use path, which will help to make this road safer for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as linking developments such as Lay Wood and Quakers Walk with Hopton Industrial Estate, the town centre and schools.

“If we can encourage more people to leave their cars at home, we can also improve air quality in the town and help to ease traffic congestion.

“We recognise that there are some challenges with the proposed route, such as the listed Canal Bridge, where cyclists will need to dismount to continue over the bridge, but we are looking at longer-term solutions such as a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to address this.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the final design reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.”

The consultation starts today (Thursday 26 June) and ends on Friday 8 August. To have their say, people should go to https://wiltshirelcwip.commonplace.is/