Plans for new cycley route and woodland walk

A proposal to create a n ew c yc l i n g r o u t e between Rutherglen and Cambuslang is being discussed.

Cambuslang Community Council and the Healthy ‘n’ Happy Community Development Trust, through their CamGlen Bike Town Initiative, have put forward the ambitious plan.

The proposal is for a new cycle route and woodland walk along the south bank of the River Clyde - with the north side already being served by the National Cycle Route 75 - by upgrading an historic right of way.

The move would

link Cambuslang with the Royal Burgh, via the Cuningar Forest Park.

This would result in a new commuter route providing an offroad link into Glasgow, cleaning up derelict land, reconnecting communities with the river, and along with the NCR 75, creating a 10K cycling loop which could be used for events.

The route covers four sections - the old Hoover site at the old Cambuslang Bridge to Bogleshole Road, the Clydebridge loop, the Farme Castle industrial estate, and the Cuningar Loop.

Negotiations were previously held with regards to t he Clydebridge loop with owners Tata Steel, who ere amenable in their discussions, but have since entered into negotiations over a possible sale of the site to the Klesch Group.

Cambuslang Community Council’s John Bachtler - a keen cyclist himself - said: “The development of the new route on the south of the Clyde would create a 10km loop, which would potentially be used for races and bring people into the area.

“There is a lot of woodland there, and the big thing in our favour is that this is an historic right of way, so there would be direct access to the park at the Cuningar Loop.

“A lot of the land in the Clydebridge section was former railway sidings, and is in good condition, and wouldn’t need much work.

“Just now, we’ve drawn up a brief for a feasibility study with South Lanarkshire Council and Healthy ‘n’ Happy, which we’ve submitted to the Central Scotland Green Network Trusts, for £18,000 of funding.

“We’ve also spoken with Sustrans, Clyde Gateway and the Forestry Commission, to let them know of our proposal.”

Details work has already been carried out to ascertain the ownership of the land of the proposed route, with the two largest sections belonging to Tata Steel and Clyde Gateway, who are developing the Cuningar Loop.

Councillor Graham Simpson, chair of the South Lanarkshire Cycling Partnership, added: “We’ve got the opportunity to create something really good, with cycling routes along the Clyde, which would connect people in South Lanarkshire with Glasgow.”

J i m E w i n g , B i k e To w n development worker at Healthy ‘n’ Happy said: ““We are delighted to be fully involved and committed to being an active partner in this project which will help us to achieve our vision for Bike Town being a must visit destination for cycling through improving the local environment and adding facilities and infrastructure for local cyclists.”

He added: “Bike Town continues to offer a range of cycling activities for everyone in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. If your interested, give us a call on 0141 646 0123 or email biketown@healthynhappy. org.uk.”