Southampton Cycle Network Route 1 now open

We're excited to announce the launch of SCN1 (Southampton Cycle Network Route 1) – a safe, high quality cycle route from Totton to Southampton City Centre.

SCN1 is the first route to open on the Southampton Cycle Network, the cornerstone of a ten year strategy to transform the cycling experience in the city. Launched in 2017, the strategy outlines ambitious plans which respond to calls for more cycleways, safer roads, less traffic and better awareness to address common barriers to cycling. Two years later, Southampton City Council has made significant progress across the network, accelerated by a series of successful funding bids to central Government. This has seen an investment of £2.4m in new cycleways with plans for a further £8.3m for projects completing during 2019 alone.

The SCN1 scheme has received funding from the Joint Air Quality Unit, with additional funding from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Tranche 1 following a joint bid with Hampshire County Council. This has enabled a range of improvements, including new and extended segregated cycleways on Second Avenue as well as resurfacing to the shared use path along Millbrook Road West. A segregated off road cycleway is now in place on First Avenue, providing access to the western docks. Millbrook Road East has also received a number of traffic calming measures as part of a ‘quietways’ scheme to make cycling a safer and more attractive option. The latest section of the route – a new segregated cycleway on Third Avenue – was completed in June this year. The route will continue to see other localised improvements, including the addition of a new footbridge and upgrade of the shared use path at Redbridge Roundabout as well as updates to the crossing at Old Redbridge Road.

The completion of SCN1 comes after the recent launch of Southampton City Council’s Green City Charter, which outlines a bold set of commitments to reduce pollution and secure the vision for a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable city. The provision of new and improved cycle infrastructure has a key role to play in achieving that, enabling more people to travel sustainably and establishing cycling as a daily norm across the city.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place and Transport, says:

“The completion of the SCN1 is an exciting milestone and brings us one step closer to our vision of becoming a true cycling city. A combination of segregated cycleways, shared use paths and quietways mean that you can now cycle the distance from Totton to Southampton safely, comfortably and confidently. Well done to our transport team for delivering this high standard of infrastructure, which will prove crucial in enabling more people to cycle in Southampton. I look forward to the success of the route being replicated across the wider network and seeing the cycling culture in Southampton continue to grow.”

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Member of Economy, Transport and Environment, added:

“We have been working closely with our partners at Southampton City Council to join up cycle, walking and public transport routes where possible to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and make more active and sustainable journeys. This not only helps reduce congestion but also improves air quality and promotes more healthy travel choices.”

We have a range of useful information and advice to support commuters to use the new route, which offers a sustainable alternative to car travel along one of the city’s three major transport corridors. Local residents and families are also being invited to discover the leisure benefits of the route, which has key connections to the New Forest via the National Cycle Network route 236.

To launch the route, we're also encouraging cyclists to capture themselves on the SCN1 and share their #No1ReasontoRide for a chance to win a £100 voucher for the New Forest Water Park. Visit our SCN1 page for more information including a full video of the SCN1 route, an interactive route map and other useful resources to help people improve their cycling skills and confidence.