A NEW cycle and footpath has been created by Worcestershire Highways to improve the safety of students who ride their bikes to Hanley Castle High School.

The new pathway runs from the school for about half a mile towards Hanley Swan and means students no longer have to cycle on or cross the busy B4211.

Parents and Hanley Castle Parish Council have been campaigning for the path way for several years, and the long-term aim is to get the path extended to Hanley Swan, around two miles away from the school. That would also take cyclists off the B4209.

The campaign has been backed by local County Councillor Tom Wells who has used the members' led highways fund to finance the first phase of the scheme.

Work on the pathway was carried out over a fortnight and the finishing touches have seen signage installed and line markings put down where the pathway meets the B4209. Vegetation next to the path has also been cut back to improve visibility.

Although the pathway is already in use, an official opening is being organised by the parish council and will take place on Thursday at 2.30pm.

Cllr Wells said: "It's the first step of a wider strategy to encourage children to cycle to school and without this investment we would be concerned about pupil safety. I very much welcome the fact that this is now under way and that the first stretch has been completed."

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Smith, said: "This illustrates the value of providing specific funding for members for highways projects in their wards. Local members have the finger on the pulse and are best placed to ensure that the money available is spent on priority schemes to the maximum benefit of the communities they serve."

Parish councillor Sue Adeney said: "No pupil cycling to school needs to make dangerous right turns across traffic any more. Safety has been the priority here but we have ended up with an improved footway for pedestrians as well as cyclists. It's a good result which we hope will be much used."