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Grafham Water’s new cycle path officially opens on Saturday.
The new stretch of path provides the ‘missing link’ in the reservoir’s eight mile cycle route and means people can now make a complete circuit of the reservoir without having to ride along the main road through Perry.
Built at a cost of £250,000, the new path takes people along the edge of the water before joining Chichester Way and along the new section of widened path by the B661 to rejoin the existing route near the sailing club.
The opening coincides with Grafham Water Sailing Club’s annual Open Day and the public are being invited to walk the new route to the club on Saturday morning where they can enjoy some refreshments and see what the club has to offer.
The scheme was completed by Huntingdonshire District Council as part of their ‘Cycling in Huntingdonshire’ programme and will be maintained by the reservoir’s owners, Anglian Water.
Funding came from HMP Littlehey following the granting of planning permission for its expansion.
Clive Harward, Anglian Water’s Head of Water Quality and Environmental Performance who will be officially opening the path, said: “The completion of the cycle path will further improve visitors’ enjoyment of our water park at Grafham.
“The park has just been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy in recognition of its superb facilities. It’s a fantastic place for a family day out with all kinds of activities to enjoy.
“One of the most popular activities is cycling or walking around the reservoir, much of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In the summer months we often have as many as 3,000 visitors a day.
“I hope the completion of the path means even more people will come and see what the water park and Huntingdonshire has to offer.
Grant Weller, from Huntingdonshire District Council, said: “The completion of the project is great news for local road users and visitors to Grafham Water. The new route has been carefully planned to improve road safety by taking cyclists and visitors off the main highway and away from traffic in Perry.
“Our ‘Cycling in Huntingdonshire’ programme, with Cambridge County Council, aims to encourage more people to get on their bikes and outside enjoying the local area we live in.”
Visitors and local residents are invited along to the Fishing Lodge Car Park, at Grafham Water (PE28 0BX), to see the route officially opened at 11am.