Scotland takes the long-distance route

The Scottish Government has unveiled plans to build miles more long-distance cycling routes in the country, from the Highlands and Islands to Dumfries & Galloway.

The “National Walking and Cycling Network”, based on Sustrans’ National Cycle Network, Scotland’s canals, and long-distance walking paths, is intended to attract more tourists and to encourage local people to enjoy the outdoors.

The plan, launched this week, envisages that the network will expand by 500 miles in the next five years. Gaps in existing routes will be filled, and a start made on several all-new routes.

The project will be led by Scottish Natural Heritage, together with Sustrans and Scottish Canals. John Lauder from Sustrans said:

“It is fantastic to think that the National Cycle Network will be extended even further as part of this National Long Distance Walking and Cycling Network and more people than ever before will have the opportunity to use it.”

SNH called it “a step change in the aspirations of the Scottish Government for a network of long distance paths and routes”. 

Routes to be built in the next five years

• Brodick to Corrie, Arran (NCN 73): new 9km traffic-free route
• Gourock to Ardrossan, North Ayrshire (NCN 753): 25km of new coastal route
• Route avoiding Manor Powis roundabout, Stirling (NCN 76)
• Fill gaps in Stirling–Callander route (NCN 765): 5km of new route
  
• Start new Southern Upland Cycleway, initially from Portpatrick to Stranraer, envisaged as coast-to-coast route
• Newton Stewart to Cairnryan (NCN 73): 15km route adjacent to A75
• Dundee circular route

Long-term routes

• Fill gaps in Gretna–Glasgow route (NCN 74): 20km of new traffic-free routes
• Fill gaps in Crieff–Lochearnhead route (NCN 775): railway path bypassing A85
• New Speyside Way Cycleway (NCN 79), based on the Speyside Way walking route
• Fill gaps in Fort William–Mallaig route bypassing A830
  
• New traffic-free Roslin to Peebles Cycleway, connecting with NCN 196 to Edinburgh

Old railway viaduct saves long round-trip

A long-disused railway viaduct over the River Trent is being restored – to save cyclists an 11-mile round-trip.

Torksey Viaduct, near Lincoln, was built in 1849. It was designed by John Fowler, architect of the Forth Rail Bridge, and was one of the first steel girder bridges ever built. The nearest crossings are the busy A57 road at Dunham, five miles south, and Gainsborough, seven miles north. 

The bridge is being reopened by Sustrans initially as a walking route, but with a long-term plan to create a cycle route on the quiet lanes between Lincoln and Retford. To begin with, wooden steps at the west end of the viaduct mean that cyclists will have to manhandle their bikes across.

Structural restoration work has been carried out by Sustrans’ sister charity, Railway Paths Ltd. Work had previously been stalled by landowner opposition.

Cycling is so bracing

A new cycle route could be created along the Lincolnshire coast, through the classic seaside resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe.

Sustrans and Lincolnshire County Council are working on a “coastal access study” for the 30 miles between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point. At present, cycling the route involves both quiet, peaceful coastal roads and busy town highways – as well as some stretches of coast where there is no access at all.

The project is being funded by the Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Councillor Colin Davie told the East Lindsey Target:

“Through this project we have the real opportunity to open up our coastline to cyclists and walkers and the £4million fund from the Lincolnshire LEP will enable us to do that. This will give more people an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful beaches and open up a huge economic opportunity.”

Resurfaced Oxford canal towpath opens

The muddy, bumpy Oxford Canal towpath is now easier to cycle within the city after a much-heralded towpath improvement was completed. The towpath has been surfaced between Aristotle Lane and Walton Well Road, extending the existing surfaced section from the city centre to Jericho. Initial plans had envisaged a longer length, but funding was withdrawn after the discovery of water voles necessitated the narrowing of the towpath: nonetheless, the Canal & River Trust hopes to identify funding to continue the scheme.

Designs shortlisted for Nine Elms cycle bridge

Four designs have made the shortlist for a new cycling and walking bridge over the River Thames at Nine Elms, between Chelsea and Vauxhall. The £40m bridge will link to the new development on the south bank of the river, and provide an alternative to the busy road bridges either side. The successful design will be announced this autumn.