NEWS
Residents in County Durham now have even more opportunities to get on their bikes or enjoy their surroundings on foot .
Durham County Council ’ s ambitious plan to create an active travel corridor in Newton Aycliffe is now complete following £ 650,000 in funding from the government ’ s Active Travel Fund .
The corridor runs alongside the A167 between Moore Lane and St Cuthbert ’ s Way , with links to Aycliffe Village .
It also forms part of the Great North Cycleway , a long-distance national cycle route linking Blyth to Darlington .
Following consultation with residents and businesses , improvements have seen footpaths widened for pedestrians and a separate two-way cycle lane offering people who live and work in the town a healthier travel alternative .
The government made £ 2bn available for walking and cycling in 2020 as part of its Active Travel Fund , aiming to help change the way that people travel in response to the pandemic .
In addition to the funding for Newton Aycliffe , the council was also awarded almost £ 400,000 to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in and around Durham City as part of the fund .
Cllr James Rowlandson , Cabinet member for resources , investments and assets , said : “ It is fantastic to see the creation of the active travel corridor in Newton Aycliffe . This is offering people who live and work in the town a sustainable form of transport that has many benefits for their health and wellbeing , as well the environment .
“ The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way in which people travel and exercise ,
Pictured ( left to right ): Dawn Brown , sustainable travel officer ; Thomas Prentice , from Aycliffe Business Park Community ; Paddy O ’ Connor , volunteer cycle leader ; and Cllr James Rowlandson , Cabinet member for resources , investment and assets .
TRAVEL CORRIDOR
New £ 650k cycle route leads to Aycliffe Business Park
with many families starting to exercise together . We hope that these enhancements will encourage more residents to make the most of their local area , enjoy the outdoors together and make active choices in how they commute to work .”
Paddy O ’ Connor , volunteer cycle leader for the council ’ s Cycle Durham programme , said : “ It ’ s great to have an active travel corridor in Newton Aycliffe . It is a brilliant opportunity for the community , giving people of all ages the chance to explore the outdoors , get to know their local area and meet new people . “ Cycling is one of the easiest ways to become more active and offers many benefits to your physical and mental health . The corridor also makes it easier for people who perhaps haven ’ t cycled for some time as it will help to build their confidence and skills safely .”
Thomas Prentice , representative of the Aycliffe Business Park Community , said : “ This is an excellent step forward in offering people a healthier commute to work and we are fully supportive of the improved walking and cycling infrastructure .
“ The physical and mental wellbeing of our workforce is very important to us . Hopefully , this will encourage more people to travel on foot or by bike and help more commuters to interact on their way to or from work , offering social benefits as well as a healthy travel alternative .”
Residents will also be invited to have their say on the completed active travel corridor later this month , when the council launches a further consultation .
More information about other schemes funded through the Active Travel Grant is available at durham . gov . uk / activetravel .
STAY LOCAL AND GET INVOLVED
COMMENT
An excerpt from Paul Stiller ’ s keynote speech at the 2022 Make Your Mark Awards …
The Aycliffe Business Park Community has a vital role to play in our future prosperity .
It is important for all of us to remain proactive and engaged and I would urge those of you who have not yet registered with the ABPC to do so and to get involved .
When “ Levelling Up ” funds are divided up , we need to be there , at the front of the queue , making sure that we receive funding for our businesses and for the park at levels , which befit our status , as the largest business park in the North of England .
We need to look after our local environment , work closely with our local authorities and develop innovative initiatives which will benefit our businesses .
Necessity really is the mother of invention . Out of necessity , we have had to innovate and increase digitisation ; automate our businesses ; and cut out unnecessary and costly processes – all of which has the potential to make us more productive .
Here on Aycliffe Business Park , we ’ ve proved we can innovate .
Our business park is home to over 400 companies who employ over 10,000 of the best “ grafters ” in the UK .
We are a microcosm of the UK ’ s wider economy but with many outstanding and unique advantages over the rest of the country – not least of which is our people . People who have grown up in families whose members have been employed in the businesses of this business park for generations . People in whom we should invest .
I ’ d urge all business on the park to get involved with ABPC initiatives going forward – whether that ’ s with the Make Your Mark Awards , or the regular News and Networking meetings . Paul Stiller Stiller Warehousing and Distribution
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