RE Nailsea to Backwell cycle route: sustrans and North Somerset have plans to submit a planning application to the North Somerset Council planning committee in August. While I am in favour of promoting and extending the cycle network, the current proposal

RE Nailsea to Backwell cycle route: sustrans and North Somerset have plans to submit a planning application to the North Somerset Council planning committee in August. While I am in favour of promoting and extending the cycle network, the current proposal leaves a lot to be desired. Only three months ago the replacement local plan was approved which included a cycle route through Nailsea and Backwell. The route was closely aligned to the railway and had the broad support of the community.Sustrans have now diverted the route into Nailsea near an amenity area which is extensively used by children playing and dog walkers close to the Farmhouse public house. Residents in Nailsea and Backwell have had no consultation and neither Nailsea Town Council or Backwell Parish Council were consulted until the present application was formulated.It would be in everybody's interest to defer any application by another couple of months so that everybody can be consulted properly. Amendments can then be made to the cycle route which will then have the support of the vast majority of the community.ANDY COLE - District Cllr Nailsea