Date: 16 July 2006 11:39

CYCLING'S THE STAR AS COUNTY GOES FOR NATIONAL AWARD

Cambridgeshire's commitment to cycling has attracted a nomination for a 
National Transport Award.

 Judges were impressed by the county's record in bucking national trends, 
which have seen a decline in cycling, by working with partners to improve 
and expand cycling facilities.

The 2001 census showed that 26 per cent of journeys to work in Cambridge 
were taken by bicycle compared to just 2.8 per cent for the UK generally.

 And the popularity of cycling as a form of transport was not limited to the 
"Cycling Capital." Market towns in Cambridgeshire have also seen a dramatic 
revival in cycling as a choice of transport with a
nine per cent rise in cycling over the past two years alone.

Over the past five years, Cambridgeshire County Council and partners have 
built or up-graded in excess of 73km of cycle paths and opened 218km of 
routes as part of Cambridgeshire's contribution to the National Cycle 
Network (NCN). Six NCN routes now run through the county and link in to this 
UK-wide network.

Cycle and pedestrian bridges have been built or enhanced at Milton (over the 
A14), Coldham's Lane and Carter Bridge (over the railway line). Work will 
start later this year on a new landmark cycle and
pedestrian bridge over the River Cam and a cycle bridge linking Eaton Socon 
with Eynesbury in the St Neots area.

In addition the county's Guided Busway project will see the creation of the 
longest cycleway in Cambridgeshire when the maintenance track alongside the 
42 km route is opened for use by cyclists and pedestrians.

Representatives from the County Council and its partners Cambridge City 
Council and the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, will travel to 
London on Tuesday (July 18th) to attend the awards ceremony.

 Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for 
Environment and Community Services, said: "This nomination is a recognition 
of the emphasis that the County Council and its partners have placed on 
encouraging cycling as a safe and enjoyable mode of transport and as a good 
way to improve health and fitness. We are firmly committed to doing even 
more to improve cycling opportunities in the future by continuing to work 
closely with partners in both the
transport and health fields.

"We are particularly proud of our contribution to the National Cycle Network 
and the new cycling opportunities that will accompany the Guided Busway 
project will give a huge boost to our existing network of routes."

John Reynolds