PROPOSALS for a cycleway linking Winsford with Northwich have gone on show this week.

The Weaver Valley Cycleway draft business plan can be seen in the reception area of Vale Royal Borough Council's headquarters at Wyvern House in Winsford for three weeks from October 21.

Alternatively it is on display at the information centre in The Arcade, Northwich, now.

The aim of the business plan is to identify the route for the cycleway and to act as a vehicle for obtaining planning permission for its full length. It also aims to aid the construction and maintenance of the route as funding becomes available.

The first phase of the cycleway, from Newbridge to Weaver Parkway, Winsford, was completed in 1996.

Now it is hoped to extend the route to create 9.5 kilometres of shared and segregated route for cyclists and walkers which will run from Rilshaw Lane in Winsford to Weir Street, Northwich.

Currently more than £100,000 of private and public money has been raised by the Bollington-based company Groundwork and additional funding is being sought.

As part of this, the borough council's leisure and community partnerships committee has committed £30,000 of its cycleway budget for the construction of the section of the cycleway from Sir John Deane's College into Dock Road.

The council, as a partner in the project, has recommended priorities for certain sections of the route to be implemented, including Kingsmead to Dock Road, the Moulton link, Weaver Parkway car park to The Red Lion, and Winsford Marina to Rilshaw Lane.

Clr Brian Lloyd, chairman of the leisure and community partnerships committee, hopes that as many people as possible will go and see the plans.

He said: "Cycling has less impact on the environment than travelling by car, it doesn't cause air or noise pollution and is good for people's health.

"When the cycleway is completed it will also provide a pleasant route for people to walk along."

Anyone wishing to comment on the cycleway plan should write to Jennifer Hollings, Groundwork Macclesfield and Vale Royal, Adelphi Mill Gate Lodge, Grimshaw Lane, Bollington, SK10 5JB or telephone 01625 572681.

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