Schemes

This railway path connects Harrogate with its satellite village of Ripley which is currently isolated by main roads and hills, but is only 4 miles away. The scenic route crosses the Nidd Gorge by means of the Grade2 Listed Nidd Viaduct and passes under the main A61 road to run traffic-free almost all the way. Once the gap is overcome many wonderful cycling routes will be opened up from Harrogate to Nidderdale and the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey. This will play a large part in the development of sustainable tourism in the area. 

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How will the local community benefit?

A selection of comments received from the pledges:

"Our charity seeks to help people with disabilities to access the countryside. The proposed cycle route from Harrogate to Ripley would be an amazingly valuable asset to so many people with mobility problems. We wish Sustrans every success with this enlightened initiative."

“This route is the key to opening up a safe route for cyclists and walkers from Harrogate to the Dales. It is hugely important, and a perfect use for the former railway line across the Nidd Viaduct. At the moment it is impossible to cycle north from Harrogate without using some of the busiest roads in the county, totally impractical for families with young children. The route will have wonderful benefits for thousands of local residents and visitors. It will be a major step towards at last linking Harrogate, the largest town in North Yorkshire, to the National Cycle Network.” 

"This is brilliant. I often cycle between Knaresborough and Ripley and the road is fast and dangerous for cyclists - this proposed route will make the world of difference and open up the Dales"