Potential new lease of life for Hockley Viaduct as part of national cycle route network
Winchester City Council this week (Weds) approved funding to explore the possibilities of using Hockley Viaduct as a cycle route that would have the potential to be linked to the wider national network.
Local Residents and others have been campaigning for the restoration of this much loved landmark for many years and the City Council is pleased to have a potential project that may bring it back into use. The proposals would ensure the survival of this 150 year old structure through restoration work, as well as provide a cycle friendly way into the City from the Park and Ride sites, and joining with national cycle route 23.
Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council said, “This project has great potential to connect the cycle routes across Winchester and to ensure a local landmark is preserved for the future. We have been working hard for some time to find a way forward, and we are pleased to be able to start the exploratory work needed to try to make this project a reality with the support from other key partners.”
The wider cycle network project is part of the work being carried out by Sustrans and Hampshire County Council to develop route 23. The Council will continue to work with these partners and will report back on the preliminary work that will now be completed.