8.19.1 Cycling is the most environmentally friendly form of transport and can contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of the population. The increased use of cycles for journey to work and leisure trips would help to reduce the number of journeys made by motor vehicles and contribute positively to sustainable development.

8.19.1 Cycling is the most environmentally friendly form of transport and can contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of the population. The increased use of cycles for journey to work and leisure trips would help to reduce the number of journeys made by motor vehicles and contribute positively to sustainable development.

8.19.1 Cycling is the most environmentally friendly form of transport and can contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of the population. The increased use of cycles for journey to work and leisure trips would help to reduce the number of journeys made by motor vehicles and contribute positively to sustainable development.

8.19.2 Cycle use is higher in those areas where adequate facilities for cycling exist and where there is active encouragement of cycling by local authorities through publicity, campaigning and the provision of facilities. A number of measures can help to make cycling a more enjoyable experience and help to raise its profile. These include the designation of cycle routes on quieter roads in towns, cyclist friendly measures at large fast flow roundabouts and slip roads and the provision of cycling parking facilities, particularly in shopping centres and at community facilities.

8.19.3 The attractive countryside of the Borough, with many comparatively lightly trafficked roads makes it a popular area for recreational cycling, with clubs and groups from Tyneside frequently seen on the roads. The Council recognises that particularly in Morpeth, when traffic flows in and around the town centre are being assessed in detail, opportunities may arise for separating flows of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

8.19.4 By providing improved cycle routes from Morpeth to Newcastle, much can be done to encourage cycling over what is potentially an attractive distance for recreational and commuter cyclists. However, quieter roads are currently indirect and intersected by the A1, whilst the A1 itself is extremely busy. Works have been carried out on the A1 to improve conditions for cyclists, but a full audit of the routes within the corridor and subsequent improvements will be required to ensure safe conditions for cyclists.

8.19.5 This route is proposed to utilise quieter roads, to provide a route from the north-west of Morpeth, via Mitford and then in a northerly direction which follows minor roads parallel to the A697. This is an important cross-borough route which should assist in providing recreational opportunities in the north west of the borough and beyond into Alnwick District.

8.19.6 Again leaving Morpeth via Mitford, this route is expected to open up the Wansbeck Valley to cyclists along minor roads. The route passes through Molesden, Meldon, Hartburn, Middleton and across to Wallington and to the borough boundary.

8.19.7 The Coast and Castles Route is already in operation and a successful part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. Through Castle Morpeth, this provides an important coastal route, from Hadston Carrs at the North of the borough, via Druridge Bay, Cresswell and briefly inland via Lynemouth to provide links to Newbiggin, Ashington, Blyth and beyond. An inland return route is also being investigated which will run south via Eshott, Tritlington and Hebron to Morpeth. There are also possibilities of looking at east-west links such as the C115 (East Forest to Widdrington) Road, which was previously identified as a priority for improvements for cyclists as part of upgrading the A1-A1068 link.

8.19.8 The Reivers Route offers an alternative Coast to Coast Cycle route which is again part of the expanding Sustrans national Cycle Network and runs east-west through the southern part of the borough. This is part of a route from Tynemouth to Workington via Kielder and Carlisle that offers a more northerly alternative to the C2C. More locally the route serves to provide important recreational routes between Ponteland and Matfen, via Heugh, Stamfordham and Fenwick.

8.19.9 Only a short section of the Tyne riverside route falls within the borough. However, this is part of an important recreational route for walkers, cyclists and horses, utilising former wagonways and opening up the Tyne Valley from Wylam to Newburn and the Tyneside conurbation.

8.19.10 Some provision within Morpeth, such as the footpath through Coopies Lane and the Cycle facilities down Whorral Bank has already been made. However, much can be done to improve the facilities for cyclists within Morpeth and make cycling a much more attractive option. The details of these proposals will be considered in the Morpeth Chapter of the Local Plan

8.19.11 In order to encourage more environmentally sustainable forms of transport and not to disadvantage those without access to a car, it is essential to ensure that proper access for cyclists is considered as an integral part of development schemes. If this consideration is made early in the design process, there is greater potential for the development to be attractive to those travelling by cycle. This relates to the circulation arrangements, the hierarchy of access routes and the provision of facilities for cyclists and their location.

8.19.12 Whilst the resources now being made available for improvements to facilities for cyclists are increasing through the Local Transport Plan, it is also essential that their needs are being fully catered for as a part of other highway schemes. The cost of additional facilities for cyclists will often be a fraction of the entire scheme cost, but be much easier to integrate into the proposals at the outset rather than as an afterthought.