Highways England announces investment in cycle paths, heritage, and wildlife

Highways England is set to invest £27M into Cornwall-based projects including cycle paths, heritage preservation, and wildlife conservation.

The funding will be put into various projects in Cornwall, including 30km of new cycle paths. The new network will link Truro with St Agnes, Perranporth, and Newquay.

It will also restore rare habitats and historical sites including Bronze Age barrows and the Grade II listed Chyverton Park. Highways England has also said that the work will improve water quality in the area and reduce the risk of flooding.

Organisations including Cornwall Council, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and Natural England are also involved in the project. Initial work will begin in the coming months along with stakeholder consultation, and the projects are due to be delivered by spring 2021.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: “The routes will complement other cycle routes and trails across Cornwall. The cycle network will reach out to towns and villages and link with where residents live and work, connecting our communities and joining up access to the services that people want and need.”

“Cycling also helps address congestion and air quality issues and plays a key role in promoting a healthy life for our residents, and we look forward to working with our partners at Highways England and with the local communities, on delivering these exciting schemes.”

Highways England is running a cycling designated fund, designed to provide 150 cycling schemes by 2020. They are promoting cycling as a healthier and more environmentally friendly form of travel, and want to deliver safe networks that benefit the overall community.

Cornwall Council has also spoken about the project’s role in their fight against climate change, and the importance of conserving rare habitats, including the rare heathland area at Newlyn Downs, and historical sites. They also hope the new cycling routes will attract tourism and allow locals and visitors to explore new parts of the county.

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