In light of Auriol Grey's sentencing for causing the death of cyclist Celia Ward, the Hunts Post is publishing a special three-part report investigating whether our cycle routes, paths and roads are safe for cyclists.

The death of Celia Ward has sparked debate about whether roads and cycle paths in Huntingdonshire are safe, with the shared use path used by Celia only 2.4 metres wide, 0.6 metres smaller than the minimum required for cycle/pedestrian paths.

According to Collision Data published by Department for Transport, from 2017-2021, around 92 serious or slight road traffic incidents occurred in Huntingdon and around the ring road where the incident happened.

Forty-five per cent of the 92 casualties were cyclists or pedestrians.

John Morris, the founder of the Hunts Walking & Cycling Group, which supports active travel, said: "What is clear is that Huntingdon ring road has people walking and cycling disproportionately represented in collision data.

"It is hardly surprising that a 77-year-old cyclist would be scared off the busy ring road onto a substandard shared-use path."

READ MORE: Pedestrian jailed over death of cyclist, Celia Ward

Data provided by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) highlighted that 318 people, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, were seriously or fatally injured in collisions across the county from January 2022 to January 2023.

John added that this data highlights that the ring road is not the only road or path that needs improving and said that more needs to be done across the district and county to reduce the "carnage of deaths and injuries."

READ MORE: Would you be happy for your child to use this cycle lane in Huntingdon?

"More needs to be done by CCC with support from the Police and partner agencies to stop this carnage on our roads," he said.

"They [Huntingdonshire District Council and CCC] all say they want to encourage more walking and cycling, but in reality, the progress we are making in achieving that modal shift is disappointingly slow.

"Clearly, I would like to see CCC accelerating the pace of change to make it easier for people to walk, cycle or wheel.

"It's not just about cycling; it's about all forms of active travel."

The Hunts Post will be speaking to other cycling groups across the county to gauge what needs to be done to improve the safety of our paths and roads and what particular paths are in desperate need of attention.

WHAT DO YOU THINK: - is it safe to cycle in and around Huntingdonshire? email your experiences and views to alexander.gilham@newsquest.co.uk.