Varsity Way cycle route could boost active travel across the Oxford – Cambridge Arc
Plans for an improved ‘Varsity Way’ cycle route boosting tourism and active travel between Oxford and Cambridge have moved a step closer following work commissioned by England’s Economic Heartland, the sub-national transport body for the region.
Analysis by active travel charity Sustrans shows there are opportunities to improve nearly half of the existing routes 51 and 66 to address issues such as narrow shared paths, safety, poor signage and deteriorating surfaces.
Making these improvements to deliver the Varsity Way would:
- Improve local connectivity to cities, towns, villages and tourist attractions
- Enable better ‘first mile, last mile’ connectivity to transport hubs such as railway stations, including several which will be served by East West Rail
- Act as a catalyst for improvements to the wider national cycle network across the Heartland
- Realise health benefits that arise from increased levels of walking and cycling
- Create a leisure and tourism attraction for the region
