Work is set to start on a new foot and cycleway along the A1096 in St Ives next week.

The 2.5-metre wide shared-use path will connect Meadow Lane to the traffic light crossing on the A1096 with the guided busway. This will provide a safe link from nearby business parks to the busway and town centre.

The path, which will cost £100,000, is being financed by a £5million pot of cash CCC secured from the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). This money is being used to create a programme of measures to make it easier to travel to work or places of study by taking the bus, walking or cycling.

To provide a safe working zone, one lane of the A1096 will be closed during construction, which will run from January 5 until March, weather permitting.

To minimise disruption, most of the work will be carried out overnight between 7pm and 6am. This will be controlled by temporary traffic lights, which will only operate at night.

A spokesman said that throughout the works and especially at night, it will aim to keep noise to a minimum.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Noel Kavanagh, cycling champion, added: “Helping people use their bikes or walk is not only good for them but also for the local economy and reduces congestion. We hope by creating a safer route more people will be encouraged to cycle and walk.”