Local cycling update, April 2016

With the lighter nights, people are starting to cycle more again, though the weather has not fully improved and we still await for summer!

There have been several activities occurring on the cycle network and beyond. As previously mentioned on the blog, we have made some improvements to signage on route 63, we have been attending meetings about events and general infrastructure and most importantly there has been an improvement made to a section of our main route.

Cycling into Burton is still not ideal due to the closure of the ferry bridge but work is progressing and once re-opened, this will improve.

Women's tour and South Derbyshire cycling legacy

The Aviva women's cycling tour is due to pass through Swadlincote on Saturday 18th June. An event is planned to celebrate the tour and more details will  be posted in the near future.   In the meantime, See below article from South Derbyshire District Council which gives more details and also refers to an exciting cycling legacy that we hope to support.

Click here to read the story highlighted above.

Improvement works to NCN 63 in Moira

Not much space either side of the puddles

Two years ago we surveyed the whole of our route and identified many areas where the condition of the path had deteriorated due to the build up of excessive mud. A community payback team worked back from Donisthorpe woodland park towards Moira and improved a significant section of the path.

Very muddy!

Unfortunately, the payback team was then unavailable for sometime before coming back last year. By this time we decided that there were sections of path beyond Donisthorpe church that needed more urgent attention.  As a result there was a small section between Conkers Youth Hostel at Bath Lane and the embankment through Moira that was incomplete and had also deteriorated.

Close up of work done

Enjoying the improved section!

 This year another team has now improved this section and also cleaned up the tarmac section to avoid the same happening to that section in the future.  The pictures were actually taken after a few days of rain.

New Link from Hicks Lodge to Moira

The first part of an off road link from Moira Furnace to Hicks Lodge Cycle centre is now complete.  The path links the existing lakeside loop path and curves through the woods to Newfields Road

The path snaking away from Hicks Lodge

The next section will utilise a new development which is currently under construction, then cross Measham Road before a final section will take the route to the canal bridge at the Furnace.

The new section of path is a good 3m wide section and features a number of a sweeping curves through a pleasant wooded section.

 Progress beyond the section at the moment is on road into the middle of Moira with the best access points back to NCN being via Sarah's Wood to Conkers or at the lock next to the old Fire Station (now a Co-op store).  There is a footpath along this road section.  Once complete it will be another major part of off road cycling infrastructure which will link the attractions of Hicks Lodge and Conkers together.

Moira Furnace on TV

Last night on BBC the program Canals: The making of a nation featured the Ashby Canal by Moira Furnace where NCN63 passes.  It was a very interesting program about the history of people on the canals, specifically families and was good to see the local area featured.  The program is 5/6 in the series and is available (as the article is written) on Iplayer.