Whitworth Cycle Way is on the right track!

Date published: 12/04/2008

With work on the first section of the new Whitworth Cycleway nearing completion, there is eager anticipation that this major project could be open within a month. Whitworth Town Clerk, Karen Douglas, said " It will be a great asset to the town for leisure, travelling to school or work. We are really excited about it!"

The Cycleway will be open to cyclists, pedestrians and horseriders and will link to the existing route out of Rochdale via Healey Dell.

Whitworth Town Council got the project off the ground by committing funds to the inital feasibility study, and funding followed from Lancashire County Council, Natural England and the Lancashire Environmental Fund. This then enabled Groundwork Pennine Lancashire to raise the necessary funds to make the Cycleway a reality.

Catherine Taylor from Rossendale Council was full of praise for Groundwork for this and for working to a tight schedule.

There are plans to involve local schools in installing bird and bat boxes, and planting wild flowers along the route. It is also planned to hold a participation event to celebrate the official opening.