Hugely popular Scunthorpe walking and cycling route opens after £500,000 levelling-up cash injection

A popular cycling route has been further extended, meaning even more people across Scunthorpe can safely access jobs, education and leisure.

The Scunthorpe Ridgeway – just part of hundreds of miles of cycle paths available across North Lincolnshire – has been extended from Burringham Road to Hammerton Road, expanding access across the town from north to south.

It is part of the biggest ever investment in walking and cycling networks in North Lincolnshire which now stretch the length and breadth of the county. The network is designed to boost connectivity and enable more residents to enjoy the health benefits of cleaner and greener travel.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s brilliant to see the extension to Scunthorpe Ridgeway completed, it will make a huge difference for many people to travel the length of Scunthorpe safely.

“We all want a greener, more sustainable North Lincolnshire. Prioritising clean transport and investing in even more walking and cycle routes is a key part of our ambition to achieve net zero by 2030.

“While there are miles and miles of cycle paths across the region, we want to go even further and we have a long term plan for Scunthorpe Ridgeway to extend it even further to Bottesford Beck allowing more residents to take full advantage of the route.”

The Government provided the grant funding, via Sustrans, which was match funded by the council.

The extension to the Ridgeway is 3.5 metres wide and almost a mile long, providing plenty of space for both cyclists and walkers. It will be lit along its route to make it accessible at all times.

Gwyneth McMinn, Head of Network Development (England, Midlands and East) at Sustrans, added: “It’s brilliant to see Scunthorpe Ridgeway extended and open for everyone to enjoy.

“Making active travel routes like this accessible to everyone and safer to use, goes such a long way to helping people to make an everyday or leisure journey by active means.

“This brings us one step closer to a National Cycle Network that is safer and more accessible for everyone.”

To find out more about the wealth of walking and cycling opportunities in North Lincolnshire on our website.

Featured image shows, from left to right: Cllr Margaret Armiger, Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft, Cllr Janet Longcake, Cllr John Davison and Gwyneth McMinn, Head of Network Development (England, Midlands and East) at Sustrans.