As the country marks National Bike Week, National Highways has announced the completion of a newly opened cycling trail, close to three miles long between Perranporth and Goonhavern in Cornwall.
National Highways is continuing its investment to improve the safety of walkers and cyclists in the South West.
Cornwall Council’s Saints Trails initiative has been enabled by National Highways’ Designated Funds programme, providing a network of cycle paths between the coastline and Truro.
The Saints Trails initiative represents one of the largest ever cycling infrastructure investments in the South West and, together with walkers and horse riders, cyclists are now enjoying the benefits of safer travel across a beautiful part of Cornwall, which includes the former Perranporth to Chacewater railway line.
National Highways has put £11.3 million from its Users and Communities Fund into the Cornwall Council project, and its funding will also provide a new cycleway between Sevenmilestone and Chiverton, linking up with a European Structural and Investment funded section from St Agnes.
As part of that project, Cornwall Council are also delivering a new trail from West Langarth to Threemilestone, including a new bridge over the A30 at Chiverton.
Hannah Sanderson, our Senior Project Manager, said: “We’re committed to significantly improving safety across our road network, and the new and improved cycle and footpaths will offer easier and safer travel for cyclists and pedestrians.
“At National Highways, our work goes beyond operating, maintaining and improving roads. We’re investing in the environment and communities surrounding our network, as well as the people travelling and working on it.
“We were delighted to partner with Cornwall Council to realise this project – a glowing example of how this funding can make life better for communities living and working near our roads.”
Connor Donnithorne, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, added: “We are committed to putting the infrastructure in place to give people more sustainable choices about how they travel. It’s not only good for the environment, but for our health too.”
National Highways has provided £6.2 million to Gloucestershire County Council towards its ongoing cycleway projects, and £1.2 million of funding for North Somerset Council’s Pier to Pier project to create a cycle path between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon and complete the final part of the cycle route between Brean and Portishead.
National Highways manage four Designated Funds, allocated by the Government, to deliver benefits above and beyond building, maintaining and operating England’s strategic roads. From protecting the environment and enhancing the landscape around roads, to improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting communities, the aim is to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
