Phase three of the improvement work to the East Northants Greenway footpath and cycle route has started.
This new section will extend it from Higham Ferrers, where it currently ends, through to Irthlingborough.
It runs from Rushden to Higham Ferrers, and the new phase will contribute towards the wider vision of continuing the Greenway right through to Wellingborough train station.
Cllr Steven North, Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, said: “This is excellent news for healthy travel to work and leisure in the district. The existing Greenway route already encourages children to walk or cycle to school, local commuters to do likewise and everyone to adopt a more active lifestyle.
“The project will enable the Greenway to link through to Irthlingborough and enable commuters from the town to cycle to work in Rushden.
It will also link residents of the three towns to a network of foot and cycle paths in the Nene Valley, including the Nene Way, leading to local nature reserves and the leisure attraction at Stanwick Lakes.” The work has been made possible by a £185,000 grant from charity Sustrans, via the Department for Transport, and a further £60,000 of funding from SITA Trust.
The project is being developed in partnership between East Northamptonshire Council, the County Council and the Rockingham Forest and Wildlife Trusts. MGWSP will carry out the work.
Other contributions included £107,100 from East Northamptonshire Council and £36,735 from Northamptonshire County Council.
