wigton cycle path

Rory visited Wigton on Saturday 26th November to open the much-awaited £95,000 cycle route. After more than three years of planning and development the first phase of the Wigton cycle network is now operational. Rory commemorated the occasion by cutting the ribbon of the new path and meeting and chatting with students of both Thomlinson Junior School and Nelson Thomlinson School, teachers and staff, local councillors, officers from Cumbria County Council, and local supporters.

Rory said: “Wigton is such a brilliant example of a community where great ideas are turned into reality. We’ve seen it with such great local charities as Chrysalis, and the various groups who work tirelessly for the advantage of the town. A ‘safe cycling’ network was the brainchild of a former house captain, Jordan Tweddle, and it is already being used by both cyclists and pedestrians, transforming the way people in Wigton get about. They are now able to take a route from Greenacres and West Road, via Phoenix Park, to the junior or infant schools. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved on their admirable achievements. These improvements are a real boost to Wigton, which it sorely deserves.”

The project has been delivered by Cumbria County Council’s highways and transport team, using funding from a Department for Transport grant and cycling charity Sustrans. It has been part of a joint project between Sustrans and local authorities to connect communities to their schools, colleges and wider networks of routes, including the National Cycle Network. Local cycling organisations have also added their support.

Cllr Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said: “It’s great that the County Council has delivered the first part of the Wigton cycle and walking network after all the hard work from the pupils at Thomlinson Junior School to get this project started. It’s a valuable project that contributes towards improving opportunities in the Wigton and Allerdale area.”

Peter Foster, Sustrans’ Regional Director in the North West, said: “It’s great news that this new link is to be opened, providing a new safe and direct link between communities and local schools in Wigton. We know that children are keen to cycle to school, and providing these routes avoiding main roads means parents can feel comfortable allowing their children to get to school under the own steam and helping them become Free Range Kids.”