Pedal on safe pathways

County council chiefs have ploughed thousands of pounds into creating safe places for people to get around on cycles.

The move has been welcomed by cycling organisations in Preston which believe in 'green' schemes for a healthier lifestyle.

Ibby Kahn, regional youth development officer for the British Cycling Federation, said: "It will be an opportunity for cyclists to move around Preston more easily and means the local authority is moving toward encouraging other means of transport and a healthier lifestyle.

"It is also brilliant for young people, encouraging them to get into cycling."

A cycle path alongside Riversway in Preston is nearing completion in a project funded by a £600,000 cash boost from the county to benefit new cycling schemes across the county.

It will enable cyclists from the south side of Preston and South Ribble to reach the existing cycle path in Blackpool Road and has lanes in Riversway between Pedders Lane and Nelson Way, and an off-carriageway cycle path between Nelson Way and Blackpool Road.

A further £90,000 is earmarked for a shared cycleway and footpath to be built alongside the River Ribble.

The cash comes from the Lancashire Environment Fund, using landfill tax, and the path will be constructed out of reusable material where possible.

It will run from London Road to the A59 at Brockholes Bridge and will form an important leisure facility for the area, linking with the existing cycle paths alongside the River Ribble and most major Lancashire towns.

The new route is part of the National Cycle Network to provide a 10,000 miles of paths and signed routes on quiet roads in the next four years.

County councillor Nora Ward, portfolio holder for Highways and Transportation, said: "Schemes like this have helped us reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists by 24 per cent since 1995."

BIKE riders are gearing up to use pedal power on new cycle paths in Preston and South Ribble.

In a bid to reduce cycle accidents on some of the area's busiest roads county council chiefs have ploughed thousands of pounds into creating safe places for people to get around on cycles.

The move has been welcomed by cycling organisations in Preston who believe the county council should support 'green' schemes which promote a healthier lifestyle.

Ibby Kahn, regional youth development officer for the British Cycling Federation, said: "It will be an opportunity for cyclists to move around Preston more easily and means the local authority is moving toward encouraging other means of transport and a healthier lifestyle.

"It is also brilliant for young people, encouraging them to get into cycling."

A cycle path alongside Riversway in Preston is already nearing completion in a project funded by a £600,000 cash boost from Lancashire County Council to benefit new cycling schemes across the county.

It will enable cyclists from the south side of Preston and South Ribble to reach the existing cycle path in Blackpool Road and has lanes in Riversway between Pedders Lane and Nelson Way, and an off-carriageway cycle path between Nelson Way and Blackpool Road.

On top of this project county council chiefs have awarded a further £90,000 for a shared cycleway and footpath to be built alongside the River Ribble.

The cash comes from the Lancashire Environment Fund, using landfill tax, and the path will be constructed out of reusable material where possible.

It will run from London Road to the A59 at Brockholes Bridge and will form an important leisure facility for the area, linking with the existing cycle paths alongside the River Ribble and most major Lancashire towns.

The new route is part of the National Cycle Network to provide a 10,000 mile national network of traffic-free cycle paths and signed routes on quiet roads in the next four years.

County councillor Nora Ward, portfolio holder for Highways and Transportation, said: "Schemes like this have helped us reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists by 24-per cent since 1995."