Wheels fall off bid to finish Newport to Telford cycle path

Riders leaving Newport can avoid the busy A518 as far as Lilleshall, but there the pathway suddenly comes to a halt.

They must then take a lengthy detour through The Humbers, cross the main road to travel to Telford through Muxton, or ride along the A518.

And with funds available to Telford & Wrekin Council drying up, it looks as though the situation will remain that way for the foreseeable future.

However, cyclists said they were pleased with the work that had been carried out and hoped that one day it would be completed.

Nick Jeggo, Newport Cycling Club chairman, said: "I think in all areas of council work there are problems with funding and you cannot do everything.

"I think that the most dangerous section of the road has been taken care of. From where it now stops it is possible to get into Telford in two other ways.

"You can cross the road, which admittedly isn't very nice, and go on via Muxton, or more likely you can go along the Humbers and go that way."

He added: "It would have been nice if they could continue to the clock island, but they cannot. I am inclined to be thankful for what we have got."

Keen cyclist and Newport deputy mayor, Councillor Tim Nelson, said: "I am amazed they have had the money to do what they have done anyway. I think they have absolutely made sensible use of the money they have got to avoid people having to ride on the A518."

Telford & Wrekin Council spokeswoman Emily Knightley said: "Sections of the A518 have been improved to enable a safe footway/cycleway to be installed where there is no appropriate alternative route away from the busy and fast-moving A518.

"However there was insufficient funding to provide a comprehensively improved route along the whole length between the centre of Newport and Donnington."

She added: "If other opportunities for funding arise in the future then we will look to improve the route alongside the A518."