Work is due to start later this month on a new footway at Views Common, Huntingdon, which will complete a pedestrian route from Stukeley Meadows to Hinchingbrooke Park road.

The scheme, being put in place by Huntingdonshire District Council, is part of the Huntingdon and Godmanchester market town transport strategy and part of a wider walking and cycling network. It supports one of the council’s community objectives – to provide more opportunities for residents to walk, cycle and use public transport.

It is the second part of a scheme that has already seen the establishment of a footway between Hancroft’s Lane, Lake Way and Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

The £100,000 scheme will use an innovative textile called geo-web which will be the base for a tarmacam surface. The use of this material means minimum disturbance to the roots of nearby trees. Although the route will partly follow the line of an existing un-made footpath, there will be a diversion around an area that is home to great crested newts. The timing of the work has been deliberately chosen while the creatures are dormant.

Lighting will be installed along the footway for greater safety after dark.

Councillor Nick Guyatt, executive councillor for environment and transport, said: “This new footway will offer a much improved and safer pedestrian route from Stukeley Meadows through to Hinchingbrooke Park Road. A lot of thought and consideration has gone into the planning to ensure minimum impact on the local environment and habitats for important wildlife.”  

The work is scheduled to be completed before Easter.  The contractor for the work is Wrekin Construction