Celebrating Cycling – Our Cycle Network – celebrating cycling, cycling in lancaster, lancaster cycling, lancaster city council

Our Cycle Network

Lancaster District has over 80km of cycle routes, including lanes on the highway and off road shared use paths.

Below you can find details of the main routes within the district (click on map below to view more information).

For up-to-date news on new and forthcoming improvements please go to the Network Improvements page

For copies of maps and local route guides go to our Maps & Guides page

  • River Lune Millennium Park

  • Lancaster Morecambe Greenway

  • Morecambe Promenade

  • Lancaster Canal

  • Marsh Safer Walking & Cycling Route

  • University Route

  • Ryelands Park

  • Ovangle Road / White Lund

  • Royal Albert Route

River Lune Millennium Park

Millennium BridgeThe Millennium Bridge, part funded through a lottery grant from the Millennium Commission, is the centrepiece of the District’s cycling network. The bridge connects the three major traffic free routes in the District – the River Lune Millennium Path, the Lune Estuary Path and the Lancaster – Morecambe Path.

The bridge was officially opened in February 2001 and has proved to be a great success – usage has increased by 30% since 2002. Counts for 2005 (April – July) show a daily average 2 way cycle flow of over 840 – with a peak of over 1,150 recorded in June.

The award winning bridge was designed by Whitby, Bird and Partners following a national competition to seek out the finest UK creative talent. It was the first new crossing point over the River Lune since 1846, when the Greyhound Bridge was built to take rail traffic between London and the north. It is a cable stay bridge with vertical ‘masts’ that pay homage to the city’s maritime past.

River Lune Millennium Park (North)

This extremely attractive riverside cycle path is not to be missed. The path runs for 15 km from Lancaster alongside the fast flowing River Lune to the picturesque riverside village of Halton, and then onward to the Crook O’Lune Picnic Site and Caton. Lancaster to Caton is an easy, enjoyable ride – and great for the family – with lots to see and do – from abundant wildlife to the upside down trees!!

As part of the River Lune Millennium Park Enhancement Project – there is now a new route to Sunderland Point via a new shared use path along the north bank of the River Lune by Salt Ayre tip and making use of existing quiet roads.

In November 2006 a new link was created from the RLMP path leading directly into the Lansil Industrial Estate. This provides a link to the Lancaster Canal towpath (via Tunnel Field).

River Lune Millennium Park (South)

This route is part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network (Route No.6) to Preston. The path is easily accessible from the Milennium Bridge and other routes via a short onroad stretch (New Quay Road). The path follows the Lune Estuary to Condor Green and the historic port of Glasson Dock.

The bridleway between New Quay Road and Aldcliffe has recently been improved as part of the River Lune Millennium Park Enhancement Project. These improvements have provided a much smoother surface for cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Improvements from Aldcliffe to Glasson Dock were undertaken by the County Council REMADE project in 2005/6.

Download: Preston to Lancaster.pdf

Lancaster – Morecambe Greenway

This path links Morecambe with the centre of Lancaster (via the Millennium Bridge) and is the most used path in the area – especially for commuting. In fact this path is by far the most used path in thewhole of Lancashire!This path makes the journey between the two towns much quicker, and also provides direct access to Salt Ayre Sports Centre.

Lancaster to Morecambe is only 3 miles and from Morecambe’s Promenade, you can enjoy stunning views across the Bay to the Lakeland Fells, or cycle along the sea front to Hest Bank or to Heysham Village with its attractive seashore, ruined chapel and Rock Hewn Graves.

A virtual route is now in place leading from the Greenway to Morecambe Road and Lancaster & Morecambe College. From Lancaster take the first right after ASDA/From Morecambe the first left after the bypass and then follow the signed route on the road.

This route forms part of the National Cycle Network Route 69

For information on recently completed work on the Greenway (incl new accesses) see the Network Improvements page

Morecambe Promenade

"Winner of a 2009 National Transport Award for Best Cycling Improvement"

In April 2007 the byelaw forbidding cyclists to use the promenade was finally lifted opening up a five mile stretch of stunning views and fresh sea air. On Sunday April 29th we heldParty on the Promto celebrate the official launch of cycling on the town’s promenade. The Prom and Greenway will now form part of Sustrans Route 69 (Morecambe to Grimbsy).

Since then further work has taken place to improve access to/from the promenade, including:

  • Minor works including signage, dropped kerbs etc took place in mid April 07

  • A new access for cyclists at the Heysham end of the promenade. This route goes via Knowlys Road giving accesss into Heysham village.

  • A completed link from the Greenway to Central Drive / Morecambe Promenade. A shared use path runs over the Burger King access road and Hilmore Rd to join with the on-road cycle lanes on Central Drive, installed in 2007.
  • Negotiations re further improvements are ongoing including: Marine Drive/Rushley Drive junction (to include a new access to the canal towpath).

  • In April 2009 a new link connecting Morecambe Promenade and Lancaster Canal was opened.Cyclists can now reach the canal from the promenade, by crossing Coastal Road using the new toucan crossing by VVV. Then continue up Coastal Road using the new shared use paths – the canal can be accessed at the bottom of Rushley Drive – the first right turn off the path. For more info and to download a leaflet go to Cycle Days Out

This route forms part of the National Cycle Network Route 69

See Network Improvements page for more information

Lancaster Canal Towpath

Cycle out of the city over the 60 foot high Lune Aqueduct, one of the wonders of the canal age, to the town of Carnforth – gateway to the Arnside/Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way there are pretty canal villages, such as Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands to stop and enjoy views over Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Hills. Between Lancaster and Carnforth, the canal will form part of the National Cycle Route to Windermere.

The towpath to the north of Lancaster (from Hammerton Hall Lane to Carnforth) was improved in 2003/4. These improvements have now been extended further south over the Lune Aqueduct and into the city centre, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Lancashire County Council, and the Cycling Demonstration Town (CDT).

New access points have been created on Aldcliffe Road, Nelson Street Car Park, Green Street, Langdale Road, Ambleside Road and Halton Road. As well as improvements to the towpath, a new shared use path has been constructed linking the Ridge Estate to Caton Road.

In December 2007 these improvements were extended south to Deep Cutting bridge at Ashton Road, with lining provided on Ashton Road, thus providing a link to the university route via Ashford Road.

You do not need a permit to cycle on the towpaths.

SeeNetwork Improvements page for more information

Marsh Safer Cycling & Walking Route

The Marsh Safe Cycling and Walking Route (funded by Lancashire County Council, ERDF and SEED) links local communities with green spaces and key services – providing direct access to the railway station, the Millennium bridge and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. The route also aids access to the regeneration project at Luneside East, South Lancaster and to the Lancaster Canal.

The route completed in 2005 comprises two main sections. The first links Platform One at Lancaster Railway Station to the existing path between Long Marsh Lane & the Millennium Bridge by means of a new path along Giant Axe (see below right).

The second is the widening and resurfacing of the path running alongside the Sunnyside allotments and the Girls Grammar School to provide space for both cyclists and walkers (new lighting was also installed).

Royal Albert Route

The Royal Albert cycletrack was constructed in summer 2005 by Lancaster City Council with finance provided by the developers of adjacent housing. The track provides the missing link in the signed cycle route from Hala Square to Ashton Road.

The on-road route crosses the A6 at "Boot and Shoe" traffic lights and then connects with Piccadilly, crosses the railway and then Royal Albert Park before emerging into Cherry Tree Drive and out onto Ashton Road. The route links into the cycle route to the University.

University Cycle Route

This route provides an alternative to the busy A6 between Lancaster centre and the University. From the University to Scotforth the majority of cycling is off-road.

See Lancaster Canal and Royal Albert for other routes to the university. See also the Lancaster University page.

For information about cycling to the university please visit their transport pages atwww.lancs.ac.uk/users/transport/

Ovangle Road / White Lund

This was the first sheme to be completed as part of the EDZ Cycling & Walking Network funded through the European Regional Development Fund and Lancashire County Council in 2005.

The footpath on the ASDA side of Ovangle Road was widened and converted to a cycle track utilising existing verges. Where there was previously no footway, a new shared use path was constructed, continuing along to Mellishaw Lane and into Lancaster Retail Park. Further links are also being created around the White Lund Industrial Estate, Heysham bypass. A new link was created onto the Lancaster – Morecambe cyclepath alongside Honda (see right).

Ryelands Park

One of Lancaster’s newest cycle paths runs through Ryeland Park – home of Lord Ashton, who was a keen cyclist and even had his own cycle track in the grounds. The new route forms part of theSustrans National Cycle Network(Route No.6) and links the Ryelands Estate and the Barley Cop Lane area with the Millennium Bridge. The route continues north via traffic calmed roads and the upgraded canal towpath to Carnforth.

The final leg of the shared use path around Ryelands Park is now complete. This links Morecambe Road to the south with the National Cycle Network route 6 at the junction of Torrisholme Road and Noel Road to the north. Lancashire County Council have a proposal to relocate the Toucan on Morecambe Road nearer to Lancaster. Works at the Owen Road / Morecambe Road signal controlled crossings on NCN route 6 have been completed.

Download: Sustrans Route Information Sheet – Lancaster to Kendal.pdf