Extension to cycle path between Seaham and Pespool Wood near Haswell

Durham County Council has worked with Sustrans to implement improvements to National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN1), which runs through the county.

Work funded by the Department for Transport was carried out on parts of the NCN1 between Seaham and Pesspool Wood near Haswell.

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The bike path has been renewed (Image: Durham County Council)

Resurfacing work has been completed on the two sections between Dawdon and the A19, as well as the new Jade Business Park development and the old South Hetton coking plants.

More recently, County Durham’s first trial glow-in-the-dark pavement was laid between the old coking plant and the A182 junction.

And south of the A182, in addition to the renewal of the promenade at Pesspool Wood, the renewal of the surface between the A182 and Pesspool Lane near Haswell has also been completed.

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Barriers throughout the route have also been adjusted to improve accessibility after locals said it was a particular issue between Seaham and Dalton Park.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet Member for Business and Partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “This is a serious investment in improving the connections between our towns and villages and making walking, driving and cycling attractive to people, whether or not they are traveling.” to work, school or traveling for social or leisure reasons.

“Previously, people had told us about a number of issues that prevented them from using the route. In some places the track was impassable, either due to poor surfaces or barriers that made it too inaccessible. We listened very carefully to what people had to say and we took these steps to fix those things.

“Ultimately, the path must be accessible to everyone. Its entire purpose is to be used by our communities and it needs to be suitable for everyday journeys.

“A local gentleman who suffers from Parkinson’s told us he had given up using this route because of the pavement but said it was a pleasure to drive it now.”

“He says the difference is like chalk and cheese.”

Managed by the charity Sustrans, the NCN1 runs from Dover to Shetland, with a 23-mile route running through County Durham.

Sustrans is leading an England-wide program supported by the Department for Transport to improve the national cycle network and realize its vision of routes accessible to all.

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The route runs between Seaham and Pesspool Wood (Image: Durham County Council)

Rosslyn Colderley, Director of Sustrans in the North of England said: “It has been great to work with Durham County Council on these improvements to the Seaham to South Hetton and Shotton Colliery route.

“The route was narrow and muddy, with a very slippery walkway and many elaborately constructed barriers, making access very poor for people with mobility issues or families with strollers.

“Now the path is wider, the barriers are gone and there is a new sidewalk and a much better surface that allows many more people to use it for walking, cycling and cycling.”

“The fluorescent test trail is also intended to improve conditions for people using the route at night.

“We are working to improve the National Cycle Network across the UK, including many sections in the North East. Funded by the Department of Transport, the work is helping to create trails that work for everyone, regardless of age or ability.”

Meanwhile further improvements are being made to the NCN1 south of Pespool Wood to the county line.

Almost £900,000 was allocated from the Council’s Towns and Villages Capital Improvement Program for this work.

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This includes the renewal of the NCN1 between Shotton Colliery and Wellfield which is almost complete.

These upgrades mark the beginning of a six-year investment program to reestablish NCN1 as an international, regional and local asset.

Further work is planned on the northern and southern parts of NCN1 to improve links with the neighboring areas of Sunderland and Hartlepool.