Route 45 National Cycle Way

Sunday 13th June 2004 saw the official opening of the local section of Route 45 from Bewdley to Alveley. This section of the Route is part of a programme to link Bewdley to Ironbridge by the end of 2006. It is being funded through a partnership of the European Regional Development Fund, Advantage West Midlands, the Countryside Agency, Shropshire County Council, Bridgnorth District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

Sustrans, local authorities and private landowners are developing the National Cycle network and the target is to create 10,000 miles of the network throughout the UK by the end of 2005.

Eventually, Route 45 will link Chester to Salisbury passing attractions such as the World Heritage site of Ironbridge, the Severn Valley Railway and Stonehenge.

To launch the official opening on 13th June 2004, over 100 people joined a 'Peddling Picnic' from The Guildhall at Bewdley to the Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley. The route, 11 miles in total, took cyclists through the beautiful scenery of the Wyre Forest, through Button Oak and onto Arley and then to the Country Park where they received well deserved refreshments and a goodie bag.

Further details of this route can be obtained from Sustrans, Gordon Dwyer of Opportunity Bewdley at www.opportunitybewdley.org.uk or Liam Brown, Cycling Project Officer for Shropshire County Council on 01743 25 3116

To find out more about cycling and tips to get you started, visit www.cyclingforfun.co.uk