Plans for a new ten-mile traffic-free route between Bridport and Maiden Newton, Dorset, will be open to the public next month.
The blueprints will be released by sustainable transport charity Sustrans , which wants input from local residents on the proposed plans. The route will follow a disused railway between Bridport and Maiden Newton, which is to be resurfaced for cyclists, as well as walkers and wheelchair users.
Landowners have already agreed to lease or sell sections of the line to Sustrans, and the route is hoped to boost the local area.
“We want to find out what people think about the whole idea,” enthused Peter Henshaw of Sustrans. (Leave your comments below)
“Not only would the path generate tourism and benefit local businesses, it would also provide a safe, traffic-free route into Bridport and Maiden Newton for work, shopping and school trips.”
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Yep, i love the idea.
Again, a `proposal` for the old railway line. It should be re-opened, as a light railway, there is room for both this and a walkway & cycleway. The world`s oil is running out, a the rail options will be the only mode worth building, or affordable.It would also lessen the road congestion, and bring more visitors to Bridport & West Bay, as well as an asset to local residents & business`s.
I think a flying pig powered chariot would be more practical and leave less of an ordure trail.
brilliant idea, hope it comes off sooner the better yea
I read that they were going to resurface the route which seems a waste of money as most of it is well mettled, I cycle alot of it already. They better put in some electric sockets when they resurface it otherwise it’s going to be hard luck if you run out of charge on your mobility scooter in Powerstock common.
It’s stated that [i]Landowners have already agreed to lease or sell sections of the line to Sustrans[/i]. When the old railway ceased operating, many property’s backing onto the railway were given the [b]””use””[/b] of the land until such time that a railway line was reinstated. None of the land was sold, Sustrans cannot purchase land from individual users of the land. Reinstatement of the Bridport-Maiden Newton link would physicaly have to link with the main line at Maiden Newton, if not then it’s unlikely to be commercially viable. As for a cycle path? either it’s a railway, or it’s a cycle track?
The loss of the rail-link to Bridport was very short sighted.