New cycle route links Lancaster to national rail network

One of the country's leading cycle experts opened a Lancaster cycle road that completes links with the nationwide rail network. The new Marsh Safe Cycle and Walking Route was officially opened by John Grimshaw, chief executive of cycle path campaign group Sustrans on 29 March.

"Lancaster has more cycle routes than anywhere else in the north west but, until now, has not had a cycle link to the train station," county councillor Jean Yates explained. "There are secure cycle facilities at the station so the hope is that people will feel free to cycle there and then connect to journeys further afield. The station's catchment area for walkers is about one mile – making it safe for cyclists will extend that to about four miles.

"Lancaster recently featured in a 10-week integrated transport campaign that encouraged this sort of transport - we are now putting our money where our mouth is," councillor Yates added.

The £250,000 project has been funded by Lancashire County Council, the New Opportunities Fund and the European Union.

"This new link is a great example of what organisations can do when they push cycling higher up the agenda," John Grimshaw said. "Everyone will be a winner in terms of quieter roads and improved health."

The picture shows John Grimshaw and Jean Yates at the opening of the new cycle link.

For further information contact Shawna Browne, shawna_browne@unc.edu