Our plans to improve the National Cycle Network

Our Network Development Plans aim to do just that by outlining routes which need improvement. 

As part of this, we’ve created a map so you can see our bigger picture plans and what changes may be coming to National Cycle Network routes in your area.

Some of these proposed changes include path widening, surface and signage improvements and traffic safety improvements - with the vision of creating safer and more accessible traffic-free paths and quiet roads for all users across the UK. 

If each improvement was made it would double the total distance of traffic-free routes on the Network – from 5,158 miles to 10,229 miles.  

Together, with your support, we hope to turn as many of these plans as possible into reality. 

Our Network Development Plans are there for anyone interested in the future of the Network and can be explored using a map we’ve created.  

There are over 14,000 highlighted sections of the Network within the map, each with a plan outlining the issues and suggested improvements. 

We’ve broken these plans up into different stages: 

• Stage one: the masterplan which we published in our Paths for Everyone: Three years on report (2022). 
• Stage two: a high-level solution plan. This provides more detail than stage one, but is still indicative based on the best information available and is subject to change.
• Stage three: the detailed planning stage - from feasibility through to design and construction.  

The search function on the top left of the page can be used to find a specific location or region. 

Plus and minus buttons along the left-hand side allow you to zoom in and out of the map. Please note, the zoom function only allows you to go so close in to an area. This is because the proposed work may be subject to change once a more thorough investigation has been carried out.

You can move around the map by clicking and holding down your mouse if accessing via a desktop computer.  

The routes on the maps are colour coordinated to indicate which stage applies to the route:

• Blue is stage two, high-level solution planning.  
• Purple is stage three, the detailed planning stage.  
• Green shows the highly aspirational routes that we’d like to work on but will take a lot more time for us to reach this stage.  

Clicking on a route will activate a pop-up information box which gives you information like the length of the route section, details on improvements to be made along with the highway authority area. 

In our Paths for Everyone report (2018), we set out a commitment to publish plans for each region and nation that specify improvements for every section of the Network. 

In some cases, the solution for improving a section or route is clear.  

But in others we know that the existing route section is poor, but we won’t know the solution until further work is done with communities and local authorities.   

Sustrans is using these plans to inform discussions with local authorities, national governments and our other partners.

This can help lead us to the next steps in terms of putting detailed plans in place and securing funding. 

You can explore our existing Paths for Everyone map which shows both ongoing and completed plans on the Network.  

Some of the details around the route improvements may change following discussions with landowners, local communities, local authorities and other partners. 

The data within the map was gathered largely remotely by Sustrans colleagues - based on local knowledge and support from partners. It was the best data available at the time it was collected.  

We’re also creating a Collaboration Tool, which we will share with local authorities and other partners to collect their views and work together to improve the National Cycle Network.