Rutland County Council has approved the construction of a new shared cycleway and footway along Burley Road in Oakham this summer, and work on the new project begins today, the 25th of July 2022.

The scheme utilises funding from the Council's successful bid for £36,000 from the Department for Transport's Emergency Travel Fund (Tranche 2). It aims to encourage more sustainable and active modes of travel – reducing people's impact on the environment and supporting health and wellbeing. It will also create a quick and easy link from the existing cycleway and footway along Oakham bypass.

A consultation was held last summer to gather feedback on proposals for this scheme. The consultation results and the initial assessment carried out by Rutland County Council can be viewed online. The Council's recent Future Rutland Conversation also highlighted a strong desire among the public for more quality cycle lanes and greater investment in the county's network. 

Work to build the new cycleway will be carried out from Monday the 25th of July until Friday the 2nd of September, with traffic management in place for the duration of the works. Traffic will be restricted from heading eastbound from the junction with the B668 and Ashwell Road due to a one-way system being in place. Any traffic heading into Oakham will have access as normal. Traffic heading out of Oakham will be diverted to the B640 Station Road before joining the A6003 Burley Park Way.

 People living locally will have access to their properties from the Oakham bypass throughout the works. Further details including a map of the diversion route can be viewed online. 

 Councillor Rosemary Powell, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Rutland County Council, said: "We are really pleased to announce that work will soon begin on Burley Road's shared cycleway and footway. Once complete, the scheme will bring a number of benefits, including improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians, reduced impact on the environment by encouraging sustainable and active modes of travel and enhanced connections to two local schools and the town centre."

 Anyone with questions about the shared cycleway and footway scheme is encouraged to contact Rutland County Council by emailing: [email protected] or by calling: 01572 722577 and asking to speak to the Transport Strategy Manager.