New sustainable route welcomed by city cyclists

A major upgrade to a city road has been completed, with cyclists and pedestrians hailing it as a safer and more accessible route.

The £2m scheme is funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority as part of Peterborough City Council's sustainable travel plan.

The scheme features a widened footpath, a new pedestrian crossing and a dedicated cycleway enabling two-way bike travel along Thorpe Wood.

The works form part of a wider 10-year walking and cycling plan adopted by the council last year.

William Sloane, a local resident, said the layout was better than before and hoped other cycle paths along the city's Green Wheel would also be improved.

Jim, who used the route for the first time, said it was good and called for "more of these around the city".

Fellow cyclist Izzy said he came to try the path after hearing it had opened. "So far, so good," he said.

"Hopefully it will encourage more people to cycle and reduce pollution."

Sue, who lives in the Longthorpe area, says the new crossing could have been better placed.

"I love the way the cycle path is so clearly signed and separated from the pavements and keeps pedestrians safe," she said.

"But I don't think the crossing is at the right place. I would have liked it to be a bit further up near the bus stop as well.

"I walk a lot around the city so I think even better having more of these around the city.

"I think we have such a beautiful city with so many green areas. So to try linking them bit by bit would be good."

Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Peterborough City Council, previously said: "Thorpe Wood is a key link to areas of employment and leisure and the project will be a significant improvement to those that use the route.

"The new infrastructure will also link in to the new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Nene Parkway and provide a seamless transition between Longthorpe and Thorpe Wood."

Other major developments with strong active-travel components in the city include the £48m Peterborough Station Quarter project and about £400,000 in grants for feasibility and early design work on 16 potential new cycling routes.

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