Northumberland Council advances Corbridge cycle route despite criticism
Construction on the corbridge end of the Hexham to Corbridge active travel corridor is underway, with phase one now in progress at the Hexham end. The project is part of Northumberland County Council’s bid to improve walking and cycling links, but some locals have questioned the cost and the changes to the A695.
The new protected cycle lane is meant to create a route for residents heading to employment, education and leisure facilities, while also linking to Hexham railway and bus station. Phase one is due to finish by the end of this summer, and the full scheme is scheduled to open in the middle of 2027.
A695 changes near Hexham
The work includes a protected two-way cycleway along the A695, with a segregated footpath making up 50 per cent of the active travel space. The road has been narrowed during construction, and the speed limit for motorists is planned to fall from 60mph to 40mph. Traffic lights will also be installed on the narrow Dilston Bridge so drivers can pass safely.
Raymond Bewick, a Hexham resident, said the government-funded money could have gone to something more important. He said: “I live near it and I see a lot of the traffic that goes along to Corbridge. it’s very rare that you see bikes going along there - that could improve.” He also said: “I don’t think they have kept us informed enough.”
Local criticism in Hexham
Ken Robinson gave a different objection, saying: “I think it’s overpriced, and I think it’s frustrating that the road was so wide anyway. I don’t think there was a real danger to cyclists.” He added: “Because of how narrow the road is now, if there’s a couple of wagons or buses passing, it’s going to be close.”
Robinson said: “I think there’s more risk to every road user now than there was before.” Some commenters on the new lane said it will encourage more people to cycle, while some self-described keen cyclists said they never had any problems on the road and will keep using a quiet alternative road on the north side of the river.
Hexham Matters post deleted
Interest in the scheme has spread online. A post about the new cycle lane on the Hexham Matters Facebook page was deleted after the comments section became heated, and a video of the infrastructure shared by local Shaun Cosgrave was viewed 42,000 times and drew over 300 comments. Cosgrave wrote: “This project isn’t getting much love at the moment, but when it’s open will people feel differently about it”
For people who use the A695, the immediate change is the narrower road and the planned reduction in speed limit while construction continues. The scheme’s first phase is moving ahead now, and the remaining work will keep the corridor under construction until the middle of 2027.
