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New Crewe to Nantwich Greenway Opened

The first part of an exciting greenway that will link the towns of Crewe and Nantwich, is now officially open, after a short ceremony on Wednesday 1 December, 2010.

The Mayor of Crewe, Cllr Jacquie Weatherill, was joined by Sustrans' Regional Director Peter Foster, other local councillors and specially invited guests for the event at Crewe Golf and Leisure Club.

After a brief speech by the Mayor, the group then made the short trip on the newly installed bridge, between Crewe Golf Course and the King George V Playing Fields, to cut the ribbon and declare Phase One of Sustrans' Connect2 Crewe to Nantwich Greenway open.

A handful of guests brought their cycles along to experience the cycleway for themselves.

The greenway will create a 4km rural corridor between the two towns, alongside the A530, Middlewich Road.

It will be set well back from the main road, connecting the excellent riverside walks in Nantwich with Crewe's historic Queen's Park, which is undergoing a massive restoration.

Phase One runs from King George V Playing Fields to the Rising Sun pub at Wistaston. Last month three bridges were installed along the route.

The project forms part of Sustrans' Connect2, which is developing new walking and cycling routes across the UK. Sustrans, the charity that enables people to make more of their everyday journeys by foot, bike and public transport, won £50million from the Big Lottery Fund for Connect2 following a public vote in 2007. Part of this award is being used to help fund the Crewe-Nantwich greenway.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: "I am delighted to see that the first part of this project has been completed.

"This project will open up parts of our countryside to people, and there is no doubt this project will enhance the Cheshire East environment."

Peter Foster, North West Regional Director for Sustrans, said, "It's great to see this section of the Connect2 project open for use, enabling people to walk and cycle through their local area. I'm sure it will be used a great deal over Christmas.

"This is just the first step of a wider project, which will make it much easier and safer for people to get between Crewe and Nantwich without having to rely on their car."