Construction to extend a popular off-road walking and cycling route will begin in February.

The scheme will lengthen the existing path that runs from Laira Rail Bridge past Saltram Meadow, reopen the blocked bridge beneath Colesdown Hill and add a new crossing on Elburton Road.

Designed to be accessible, attractive and traffic-free, the route will serve walkers, cyclists, mobility scooter users and carers with pushchairs. The plans also include lighting and a safe crossing over the quarry access road to ensure the route is convenient and secure for all.

This project is part of a three-kilometre corridor developed in phases since the Laira Rail Bridge opened to pedestrians and cyclists in 2015.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "I'm really pleased to get started on this phase of what I know is a path that is already well used by pedestrians and cyclists.

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"We always promised that the steps that are currently on this section of the path would be complemented by a more accessible option in due course so it’s great to see this now in construction.

"I can't wait to see it complete."

The project had been scheduled to start in 2025, but ground investigation works identified issues that required a slight design change.

A contractor will be formally appointed later this month, ahead of works commencing on Monday 9 February. Completion is expected in summer 2027.

For a significant part of the programme, Colesdown Hill will be closed to traffic at its southern end. The existing path from Saltram Meadow will also need to close. Letters with further information are being sent to local residents.

To deliver the scheme, 20 trees, 15 of which are already dying from Ash Dieback, will be removed.

This loss has already been compensated for by planting 26 standard trees and 200 smaller whips across two nearby green spaces, with a further 146 whips to be planted on site during construction.

To complete the project, an executive decision allocating a further £1.9m, funded from Section 106 Developer contributions, has been signed today and is subject to call-in by scrutiny.