Walking and cycling routes between Meldreth Station and Melbourn are being upgraded to encourage sustainable travel.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) will upgrade the well-used path between the two villages and the railway station over 11 weeks, starting on Monday, July 29 and finishing in October.

As part of the improvements, the path that runs through fields and under the A10 will be widened and resurfaced, with improved lighting along the full route and and new cycle parking added near the station.

The work is part of the Melbourn Greenway, which is a project to improve connections between Royston, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Foxton, Harston, Hauxton and Cambridge.

Cllr Susan van de Ven, Cambridgeshire County Councillor for Melbourn and Bassingbourn, said: "Many people who live, work and study in the Meldreth and Melbourn area, and who depend on getting around without a car, have been pressing for these upgrades for a long time. 

"We can’t wait to open the new and improved path."

During the works, a diversion route for walking and cycling with temporary traffic-light controlled crossings will be in place along Station Road. 

Station Road's pavements will be kept clear of vegetation and debris.

Cllr Elisa Meschini, chair of the GCP’s executive board, said: "Wherever we live, we all want streets, roads and paths that are safe and easy to use and help us get where we need to go. The greenways are here to do that. 

"This is a popular route and will be difficult to have closed, but at the end a wider, smoother and better lit path will take some of the stress out of everyday journeys, and help more people to try out walking or cycling. 

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"Our Greenways are connecting communities and helping to cut congestion."

The Melbourn Greenway is one of 12 new Greenways being delivered by the GCP to help people walk, wheel and cycle more easily between Cambridge and surrounding villages.

Each year, the A10 Annual Awareness Ride is held to celebrate the off-road paths between Cambridge and Melbourn, co-sponsored by the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign, CamCycle and the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership.