PHOTOCALL: £500,000 CYCLE PATH UNVEILED AT WHITEMOOR

Thursday 11 Nov 2004

PHOTOCALL: £500,000 CYCLE PATH UNVEILED AT WHITEMOOR

Region & Route:: | Eastern: Anglia; | Eastern; | Southern

Date: Thursday 11 November 2004 Time: 1pm Location: Whitemoor cycle path, meeting at Whitemoor site car park, off Hundred Road (please check in with security office) Event: Official opening of the new cycle path at Whitemoor Photocall with Network Rail, Fenland District Council and the March Veteran & Vintage Cycle Club Media contacts: Laura Dobson 020 7557 8103, 07771 673 385 It’s ‘full speed ahead’ for March cyclists, as a brand new cycle path adjacent to Whitemoor rail depot is opened by Network Rail,. The 630 metre long cycle path cost £500,000 and provides a safe, illuminated route for cyclists between Hundred Road and Norwood Road, avoiding the busy road junction and industrial estate, which are used by heavy goods vehicles and other traffic. Dave Millar, Network Rail Scheme Sponsor, said: “During the planning of the Whitemoor depot, we became aware of local proposals for a cycle path near the site. We committed to build the cycle path ourselves as part of the Whitemoor project, as we wanted to provide something with real benefits for the local community.” The cycle path took around six months to construct, starting in March 2004, and has been open to the public for just over two weeks. It is likely to be particularly beneficial for local residents and businesses in the area, providing a short cut for nearby industrial estates and Whitemoor prison. The cycle path has also been welcomed by local cycling enthusiasts. Colin Arnold, of the March Veteran & Vintage Cycle Club, said: “The group is extremely pleased to see another cycle path opened in March, particularly with its location next to the historic railway site. We will certainly be making use of it in the future and are planning to use the ramp for our downhill challenge in January.” Photographs of the new cycle path are available on request.

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