New cycle path link to follow former Preston to Longridge railway

Proposals to extend a cycling and walking path, following the former Preston to Longridge railway, are now before town planners.

The 210 metre route would link up Skeffington Road in Ribbleton to the back of the West View Leisure Centre.

Plans from Preston City Council state: “The overall concept of the scheme is to encourage greater cycling and walking through improving an existing shared use link by extending it over a distance of 210m to the public highway at Skeffington Road.

“A link to the public highway at Skeffington Road will positively encourage cycle and walking use and bring a piece of land that is overgrown and subject to fly-tipping into public use.

“The former Preston to Longridge railway cycle route links directly to the Guild Wheel cycle route, which encircles much of the built up area of Preston providing improved access to work, education, leisure and health destination opportunities.”

The scheme will be funded by developer contributions as part of the former James Hall site off Blackpool Road by William Morrison’s Supermarkets.

PCC says the width of the path, at three metres, “would allow for two way shared use by cycles and pedestrians”.

Documents say: “It is anticipated that the new section of shared cycle and walking route will be used primarily by local residents walking through to the Morrison’s Supermarket, Deepdale Retail Park and West View Leisure Centre.”

The work will also include removing litter and cutting back vegetation at the site.