The mayor of Oswestry is hoping a bid submitted by Shropshire Council for funding to improve cycling and pedestrian facilities will be successful and help provide a crossing at a busy Oswestry roundabout.

Since plans were submitted for a £16million improvement to Mile End Roundabout, Councillor Duncan Kerr has called for a pedestrian/cycle bridge or underpass to be included in the development.

Although there is no commitment in the roundabout plans to include a crossing, Shropshire Council’s application for £2million to help with cycling and pedestrian facilities cited a crossing at the roundabout as one of the four projects it would like to spend the money on, should their bid be successful.

Cllr Kerr is hoping the bid is successful to fund the bridge, but is disappointed the need for a bridge was not highlighted in initial plans.

He said: “I consider the crossing an essential part of the roundabout development, and it’s unfortunate the plans are going ahead without them agreeing to putting one in place.

“But with that being said, it’s good they are seeking funding to do it.

“Like I said though, in a day and age when the government is encouraging active transport, we should be providing proper provision for cycling with a development of this size.

“The town council did pass a resolution that there should be an underpass as opposed to a footbridge, as there can be difficulties with trying to pick up a bike to carry over a bridge over a road, and there is often a very steep incline to push the bike up.

“It’s very bad that cycling is always an afterthought and it wasn’t central to their thinking from the start.”

The mayor also believes more still needs to be done to provide adequate facilities for cyclists in particular in the county.

He added: “The other things they have sought money for is more painting on roads, and to me, the government has made it absolutely clear that it sees that as sub-standard.

“A recent survey showed two thirds of adults feel it is unsafe to cycle, and it’s clear why because people park across them, so you end up weaving in and out of traffic.

“So with that said, we do need to dedicate some proper cycling provision.

He added: “I think it would be great to have a cycle lane between Oswestry and Shrewsbury – the route would be mainly flat and I think it would encourage people.”