A PROPOSED new cycle path between Hartford and Huntingdon could see a route built through Riverside Park.

The Hunts Post reported last month that the idea was being considered by Cambridgeshire County Council, which has now drawn up a suggested route that would link to existing bike lanes with the aim of joining those at Hartford and Huntingdon with Godmanchester and Brampton.

A report, which will be considered by the council’s Huntingdonshire traffic management area joint committee on Monday (October 22), states that the scheme would widen the existing footway to 2.5m between Riverside Car Park and electricity sub station, before taking the route along a new path through the park.

The report adds: “The section through the park is designed to have minimal environmental impact, consisting of timber edgings to both sides and a thin surface laid on aggregate base. This section would continue east along the general line of the existing public right of way, before emerging at the access road to the Anglian Water [opposite the care home on Hartford Road] pumping station, where it would rejoin the existing footway.”

More than 16,000 vehicles use Hartford Road on an average day and a dedicated cycle path would improve safety for cyclists, CCC says.

The report adds: “Implementation would create a valuable link between residential areas and the town centre, encouraging greater uptake of non motorised modes of transport by those who may otherwise be intimidated by the high volume of traffic along Hartford Road.

“This in turn has the potential to reduce congestion and emissions by reducing the number of short journeys made by car into the town from the residential areas.”