This popular cycle and footpath links the village of Great Shelford with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and forms part of the National Cycle Network, which consists of over 10,000 miles of signed, safe and attractive cycle and pedestrian routes throughout the UK.

Cambridgeshire County Council and Sustrans worked in partnership to develop this 1.6-mile route that runs from Granham’s Road in Great Shelford to Robinson Way at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The scheme, which was funded by developers, is a major improvement for cyclists and pedestrians and is already proving popular with many users.

Here's what some of them have to say:

• “It really is wonderful - I can now get to work in less time than it took using the train and no longer have to battle up Granham's Hill.”

Cambridge resident and regular user of the path

• “It is an amazing route across country and a delight to cycle along especially as it has reduced my journey time, door to door, to under 11 minutes, and of course avoids all the hazards of the local roads."

Tony Johnson, Great Shelford resident

Map of the cycle and footpath

Please click here for a larger version of this image (JPG - 77KB)

Development taking place in the south of Cambridge means it is crucial that the County Council promotes better cycling and pedestrian facilities with the aim of encouraging healthier lifestyles and combating traffic congestion.

Genome stripes - adding a splash of colour

The completion of the new route marks the 10,000th mile of the National Cycle Network and to celebrate this momentous achievement, some innovative public art has been installed. 

Over 10,000 colour stripes have been laid on the path, representing the genetic code for a vital human gene - BRCA2, which was sequenced at The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in nearby Hinxton.

The artwork is a unique series of stripes in four colours representing the different genetic letters that make up the vital human gene BRCA2.

This path was built by Cambridgeshire County Council in partnership with Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity.

The path has been built with the support of:

• Cycling England
• The Wellcome Trust
• Addenbrooke's Hospital
• Surface Signs
• Astucia Traffic Safety Systems
• OWL
• Great Shelford Parish Council
• Local landowners