Network opens up town to healthier ways of travelling

A NEW cycle and walking route in Dewsbury has opened up pastures new.

The completed link between Sands Lane and Earlsheaton, linking to the existing canal towpath, has seen bridges and viaducts brought back into use, and is the start of a series of improvements to the network and new links that will make it quicker, safer and easier to get around Dewsbury on foot or by bicycle. The first section was officially opened yesterday.

It links the town centre with Savile Town, Ossett and Earlsheaton and is part of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network (NCN), linking to the existing Spen Valley Greenway to Bradford.

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The improvements to the NCN in Dewsbury are part of Sustrans’ Connect2 project, which is developing new walking and cycling links for everyday journeys in communities across the UK. Connect2 was awarded £50m by the Big Lottery Fund in 2007. Part of this grant is going to Dewsbury, with other funding coming from Kirklees Council.

David Hall, Sustrans’ regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We’re delighted to see the first phase of this project complete, which is going to make a real difference to how people get around Dewsbury for their everyday journeys.”

See www.sustrans.org.uk for more details.