A NEW cycle and footpath has been created in Hanley Castle in a bid to improve the safety of students who ride their bikes through the village.
Campaigners are celebrating after Worcestershire Highways installed the half-a-mile pathway from Hanley Castle High School towards Hanley Swan.
The move means pupils will not need to ride on the B4211 and it will also take cyclists off the B4209.
Parents and Hanley Castle Parish Council have led the campaign, also backed by county councillor Tom Wells, for several years with the long-term aim to get the path extended from the school for two miles.
Coun Wells, who used the members’ led highways fund to finance the first phase of the scheme, said: “It is the first step of a wider strategy to encourage children to cycle to school and without this investment we would be concerned about pupil safety.
“I very much welcome the fact this is now under way and the first stretch has been completed.”
Parish councillor Sue Adeney added: “No pupil cycling to school need make dangerous right turns across traffic any more.
“Safety has been the priority here but we have ended up with an improved footway for pedestrians as well as cyclists.
“It is a good result which we hope will be much used.”
Work has been taking place for the last two weeks and the path was officially opened last Thursday (June 25).
Coun John Smith, county council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This illustrates the value of providing specific funding for members for highways projects in their wards.
“Local members have the finger on the pulse and are best placed to ensure the money available is spent on priority schemes to the maximum benefit of the communities they serve.”
