Northumberland Council approvee plans for two cycle paths costing £16M.
Northumberland County Council’s cabinet has approved plans for a £16 million spend on two cycle paths.
The money, which comes from the previous Government’s levelling up fund, will be used to improve cycling infrastructure in Bedlington and between Hexham and Corbridge. The Bedlington project will receive £9 million while the Corbridge route will get £7 million.
The Bedlington Active Travel Scheme extends over 7km, connecting the west side of Bedlington to East Sleekburn. It will also include several “spurs” connecting to schools, businesses and services. The Tyne Valley route will connect Hexham town centre to the car park at Corbridge Riverside, running alongside the A695 and B6321.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the council’s cabinet, deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth said: “These are funds already secured from the national Government – £14 million from the Levelling Up fund. We are very happy to provide an additional £2 million from Northumberland County Council to secure this significant amount of funding.
“This isn’t money that we can spend on anything else. It is ring-fenced by Government for cycling and walking infrastructure.
“If it doesn’t come to Northumberland, it gets spent somewhere else. This is a fantastic opportunity to get some funding into the county.
“I’m very grateful to everyone who has provided feedback to get the best and most optimised route.”
Coun Nick Oliver, who represents the Corbridge ward on the county council, has been promoting the scheme since 2018. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting, he said: “I’m very pleased to see the route between Corbridge and Hexham progressing.
“I first began making the case for this in 2018 and Council officers supported this by working up proposals which were submitted to Government as an ultimately successful funding bid in 2022. I have been working with the Council to make sure that potential pinch points at the Dilston Bridge and Corbridge Bridge are dealt with as effectively as possible.”
Trevor Cessford, the councillor for Hexham Central with Acomb, added: “This scheme will make it easier and safer for cyclists, pedestrians and people using wheelchairs. As well as connecting Hexham to Corbridge it will better connect parts of Hexham, and I look forward to seeing work starting”.