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Work to install a missing link between the Pier to Pier Way and Strawberry Line cycle paths has been completed.
The Duck Lane bridleway in North End, Yatton opens tomorrow (Wednesday 6 November).
The route provides a 70m hard surface link for cyclists, equestrians and walkers which will cut out the need to use the B3133 if travelling between the Pier to Pier Way and Strawberry Line.
It will also provide a safer route to Yatton Station with signage to the station being installed on the Pier to Pier Way.
The popular 13-mile Pier to Pier Way between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon opened in earlier July and figures this week show that nearly 32,000 journeys have been recorded on the route counter at Tutshill Greenway. Of these 25,302 were on bike, 6,253 were on foot and 173 were on horse.
The complex Pier to Pier project involved installing a new bridge over the river Yeo at Tutshill to separate the cycle path from the agricultural traffic in the area. It includes a new one-mile traffic-free route crossing the Yeo and Oldbridge rivers and is based on the line of the former Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway.
The Duck Lane link allows people to access the Strawberry Line from the Pier to Pier Way by using quiet routes through Kingston Seymour and Yatton before joining the route at Yatton station.
Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel said the Duck Lane bridleway was an exciting addition to the cycling network in North Somerset connecting two of the main flagship active travel routes.
“This link will cut out the need to use the busy B3133 when travelling between these two fantastic routes. It will also improve access to Yatton station furthering our commitment to provide integrated sustainable travel networks across North Somerset.”
Cllrs Steve Bridger and Wendy Griggs, North Somerset Council's ward members for Yatton added: "We're really pleased to see this short but vital link completed and to such a high standard. It will unlock a safer route to the popular Pier to Pier Way and is an important milestone towards the bigger ambition for a more direct traffic-free route from Yatton to Clevedon, extending the Strawberry Line already in place."
The Duck Lane bridleway has been funded by the Active Travel Fund (ATF 4).