Celebration as Walton cycle track opens

NAWN 1704081AM4 Walton Cycle Track opening. Some of the first riders to use the new cycle track at Walton set off.(1704081AM4)

Walton Cycle Track Project Board saw the link between the village and the National Network at Walton Gates celebrated on Saturday when more than 100 people attended.

Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke perfomed the official opening and told the News: “It’s a project that has been in the planning for a number of years and I congratulate Coun Alan Lamb, the parish council and residents for all the effort that has gone in to making it a success.

“Yorkshire has now positioned itself at the heart of a cycle revolution taking place across the UK and it’s great to see this extra bit of the cycle path jigsaw completed here in my constituency.”

The project was started in 2002 by residents who aimed to provide a safe route for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, instead of using the road which then had a 60mph speed restriction.

“The project has been an ambition for the village for over 15 years to link it to the local cycle path network,” said Walton Parish Council Chairman David Aspland. “We can now get to Wetherby avoiding busy roads.”

The scheme has been funded by grants from Leeds City Council and HSBC and funding from the parish council and a small loan.

“It is a fantastic achievement from all on the parish council, the local ward councillors, sustrans and Walton residents who are already using the path to walk dogs, ride bikes and horses,” added David.