From: "John Reynolds" To: "Dry Drayton News" ; "Bar Hill News" ; "Bar Hill Parish Council" ; "Bar Hill website" ; "Binnie Harvey-Boxworth" ; "Boxworth Parish Council" ; "Dry Drayton Web Site" ; "Girton Parish Council" ; "Girton Parish News" ; "Irish Nick-Dry Drayton" ; "Lolworth Parish Council" Subject: Cycling award Date: 22 July 2006 19:32 CYCLING INNOVATIONS WIN NATIONAL AWARD Cambridgeshire's commitment to cycling has won a top national transport award when the County Council carried off the cycling category award at a ceremony in London last night (Tuesday 18 July). 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 award was one of several in an event organised by the Robert Gordon University of Aberdeen. The cycling award was sponsored by the Department for Transport. The 2001 census showed that 26 per cent of journeys to work within 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, were at the ceremony. Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Services, said: "I am delighted that Cambridgeshire won this award. It is a recognition of the emphasis that the County Council and its partners have placed for many years now 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 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.3/395 - Release Date: 21/07/2006