First of city cycle routes opens for bike commuters

Joanne Ginley

THE first of a series of cycle routes, which will form the Leeds Core Cycle Network, was officially opened yesterday.

It is designed to connect Middleton, Belle Isle, Hunslet, Cross Green and the city centre for commuting cyclists. It also provides a safe route to school for pupils of South Leeds High School and numerous primary schools in the area.

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The Leader of Leeds City Council, Coun Keith Wakefield, who opened the route said: “This new cycle route between Middleton and the city centre is a fantastic idea.

“It allows people of all cycling abilities the chance to travel in and out from south Leeds on a route that is mainly traffic-free and that avoids busy roads.

“Choosing to use the route regularly will help people save a bit of cash and get fit at the same time.”

Some minor work is still needed to complete the route, including improvements to the subway under the M621 and its approaches, but it is now usable by bicycle all the way from Thorpe Lane in Middleton to the Cycle Point storage and hire facility at Leeds City Station.

The route uses mainly off road tracks and quiet roads.

Copies of the route map are in preparation and will be available at www.leeds.gov.uk/ cyclemaps, or in hard copy by emailing [email protected]