The construction of a new cycling route which will connect Malton to Pickering gets underway this month.
The cycle route, which will fill a missing link between the existing Yorkshire Wolds National Cycle network and routes through the North York Moors National Park.
It will enable cycle tourists visiting Ryedale to have a choice of routes: south to the Yorkshire Wolds or north to the North York Moors, Dalby Forest and the Yorkshire Coast.
The paths will mainly follow existing country roads and bridleways, with bridleway sections to be improved using good quality crushed stone to provide a surface suitable for families and less confident cyclists – as well as for horse riders and walkers.
Ryedale District Council secured a grant of £628,000 from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to develop the route.
Phillip Spurr, the council’s programme director for economic development, said: ““The new route is expected to attract visitors with a keen interest in active tourism.
“It links these two popular market towns and provides access to a number of visitor attractions, accommodation centres, facilities and events along the Malton to Pickering corridor.
“It also fills a gap in the cycling infrastructure and facilitates onward travel by bike to a number of destinations.”
The final cycle route expected to open in summer 2021.