The (almost) continuous walking and cycling route from Kings Barton into the city
If you were one of the 900 or so other folk who joined us for Mass Ride 9, you might be familiar with the ‘Barton Line’.
This is the (almost) continuous walking and cycling route from Kings Barton, via Abbots Barton and River Park rec, into the city.
See our Barton Line map here.
We say “almost” as there are still some improvements to be made. The stretch of highway between Winchester football and rugby clubs is a prime example of this.
The good news is that, after mooting idea of branding and publicising this route to a Winchester City councillor back in September 2024, we have growing support.
The Barton Line includes two of our bike bus routes and the growing number of young riders we see using the route to do everyday journeys to school, nursery and clubs was part of our inspiration.
Over the last few months, we’ve been speaking to councillors and officers about the less-than-perfect parts. We’ll keep pushing for improvements. The plans for redevelopment at the Winchester School of Art are important too. Hopefully we’ll see positive progress soon.
On this, you may have noticed the recent changes to the pedestrian ‘Puffin’ crossing where Middle Brook Street crosses Friarsgate. This is now a ‘Toucan’ crossing, meaning people can legally ride their bikes across it, linking up the pedestrian-and-cycle areas on either side. Some cycle racks and a bench have been relocated too, making more space for cycling.
Small but encouraging steps towards our vision of the Barton Line as the first route in a network of properly-useful active travel infrastructure in and around our city.
For more information, or if you’d like to help make our ideas a reality, contact us at hello@cyclewinchester.org.uk.