Work starts on £170,000 cycle route at Broxtowe Country Park

Work has started on a new £170,000 cycle path through a park in Nottingham as part of council plans to improve routes for commuters.

The 2km (1.5 miles) route, through Broxtowe Country Park, will link Nottingham Road, near the Phoenix Park tram stop, to Woodhouse Way.

Nottingham City Council said it hoped the scheme would encourage more people to cycle to work.

The path is due to be completed by 31 March.

It has been funded by Growth Point, a government scheme designed to provide support for sustainable community projects.

BMX track

The scheme will also provide hands-on work experience for local construction trainees.

The work follows an investment of £160,000 to improve the Westleigh Road and Calverton Drive park entrances to the park, which was completed in December.

The authority said it is now working on plans to provide more facilities for young people and is considering the possibility of building a BMX track.

Council figures showed only 3.1% of the 23% of people in the city who own a bike currently cycle to work.

The authority said it hoped the new cycle route would improve the figures and offer an incentive for familys, cyclists and runners to use the park.