A new cycle trail has opened in Pleasley, Derbyshire.

Five miles of new and improved cycling trails linking Hardwick Hall, Pleasley Pit Country Hall and Pleasley Vale are now open, adding to the more than 460 miles of traffic free cycle ways in Derbyshire.

The new £550,000 trails are part of a project led by Derbyshire County Council to support local tourism and encourage people to get out into nature and explore their local environment.

Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, Councillor Carolyn Renwick, said: "We are delighted to announce the opening of Pleasley’s new and improved cycle trails.

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"The project is part of our work to boost tourism and encourage people to get out into nature, explore their local environment and to make Derbyshire the most connected county for cycling in the country.

"We look forward to seeing the new trails put to good use by locals and visitors."

The project is part of the North Derbyshire – North Nottinghamshire Visitor Economy Consortium's Visit. Sleep. Cycle. Repeat initiative which identified Pleasley as a key hub for cycling and aims to develop the North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire region by promoting cycling alongside world-class heritage.

The work has been co-ordinated by Bolsover Countryside Partnership who are hosted by us and supported by Bolsover District Council and Bolsover Partnership.

Funding for the improvements in and around Pleasley has been provided by the Rural Development Programme for England which contributed £403,977, with an additional £150,000 coming from us. A further £97,000, from ourselves collected through business rates in North Derbyshire, is being used to fund feasibility studies that support the business case for further investment.