Yahoo News New walking and cycling route planned for Durham city after £2.5m grant
New cycling and walking routes are planned for Durham city after the council benefitted from a £2.5m grant.
Durham County Council has secured funding from Active Travel England to deliver improvements along a 2.5km route between the Arnison Centre and New College Durham. The scheme will replace temporary measures installed in 2020, which included the introduction of cycle-lanes marked by traffic wands. Feedback from the public has confirmed these measures have provided much-needed and protected space for cyclists, while the lower traffic speeds have also improved conditions for pedestrians.
Under the new scheme, permanent infrastructure will be introduced to create a direct and connected route for cyclists and pedestrians known as the North Durham Active Travel Corridor. It will feature enhanced junctions and crossings to help ensure people feel safe when travelling on foot or by bike, and to allow them to travel more directly while going about their day-to-day activities.
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “This funding will support our plans to deliver permanent cycling and pedestrian improvements on a key route for people who live, work, visit and study in Durham City. Cycling and walking are fantastic leisure activities as well as great ways to stay fit and healthy, however they also offer an environmentally friendly and affordable way to travel from A to B, especially for shorter journeys.
"Whether that be the school run, college commute or a trip to the shops, leisure centre or library, the North Durham Active Travel Corridor will make it easier and safer for people to travel on foot or bicycle.”
The corridor will also connect to other cycling routes linking Durham City to the wider region, including the Great North Cycleway along the A167. The improvements are complemented by the council’s Borrow a Bike scheme, which offers free bike hire to help people get to work, save money and stay healthy.
The scheme operates from Abbey Leisure Centre, located opposite the Arnison Centre and close to residential areas such as Newton Hall, Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me, making it ideally situated for the new route. A public consultation is planned for later in the year, with a view to the scheme being completed by March 2026.
