Walking, wheeling and cycling along a popular traffic-free route in Leicester has just become easier. A section of the footpath on the Great Central Way between Gilmorton Avenue and Soar Valley Way has been widened, and barriers at an access point from Soar Valley Way have been removed. This work has made accessing and getting active on the path easier for everyone.
Cllr Adam Clarke and Anna Singleton ride the newly completed Great Central Way. © Leicester City Council/Sustrans.
Improved access and connectivity for everyone
The route is a well-used link between the Everards Meadows development, Leicester city centre and the residential area of Glen Parva.
The popular city path is part of National Route 6 of the National Cycle Network.
The National Cycle Network (the Network) covers more than 12,700 miles and connects people and places across the UK.
As custodian of the network, we worked in partnership with Leicester City Council to deliver the improvements.
The £110,000 scheme was made possible thanks to funding from the Department for Transport through Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone programme.
The project took approximately 11 weeks to complete and will improve access and connectivity for everyone.
Changes that will benefit the community for years to come
Representatives from Sustrans and Leicester City Council recently met up to take a look at the finished scheme.
Commenting on the scheme, Ed Healey, Sustrans Network Development Manager, Midlands and East said:
“This scheme will give a real boost to walking, wheeling and cycling in the city, so it’s great to see it reaching completion.
“The project will enhance the experience that users have on the path and take this stretch of the National Cycle Network from ‘good’ to ‘very good’.
“We now have something which will serve the community for many years to come, aligning it with other improvements already being delivered by Leicester City Council.”
Deputy City Mayor for Environment and Transport Cllr Adam Clarke said:
“This is another welcome improvement to the popular Great Central Way walking and cycling route, providing more space and a great new surface for the benefit of everyone who uses it.
“This complements improvements made last year, alongside the brilliant new ramp from Aylestone village to the Great Central Way, and widened sections through Glen Parva, and close to the city centre near Upperton Road.
“We have been very successful in working with partners such as Sustrans to access government money for such improvements.
“We will continue to prioritise this sort of work, because we know more people will choose to walk and cycle when their route is safe and enjoyable.
“And walking and cycling is good for people’s health, for their finances and for the climate.”
