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13 Jun 00

OPENING OF NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK IN POOLE

PHOTOCALL : Junction of Green Road with Labrador Drive, Baiter, Poole
1615 hrs Wednesday 21 June 2000
Mayor opens National Cycle Network at new waymarker.

Cyclists from Poole, Dorchester and Southampton are taking to the road to celebrate the opening of Poole's section of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.

As part of the Millennium Festival of Cycling taking place between 17 - 25 June 2000, cyclists from across the area will be joining Sustrans national Longest Ride event on 21 June. The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mrs Joyce Jones, will be hosting a reception to welcome them and officially open the new route meeting at Poole's new milepost on Labrador Drive.

The route, which forms part of a 5,000 mile national network, will eventually provide a link from Poole to Frome and will be identified by four special mileposts installed in the Borough.

Sally Funnell, cycling and walking officer at the Borough said : "We are delighted that the Poole section of this national cycleway network is opening on time, just as cycling is increasing in popularity throughout the UK. Not only are the way markers visually stimulating, Poole's section has some of the greatest views in the country. Whether you are cycling for pleasure or as part of a routine journey, the cycleway offers a much safer and more enjoyable way of travelling as the majority of the route is off the road".

The Millennium Mileposts, made of cast iron, stand just over 2 metres tall and include special encoded time symbols in the form of embossed cast iron designs about 12cm in diameter. The symbols can be collected by using a pencil and paper to rub (like a brass rubbing) and joined together to create a three dimensional Time Sculpture.

-ends-

Editor's Notes:
The remaining 4,000 miles of network is hoped will be open by 2005.

Sally Funnell, Cycling/Walking Officer,tel: (01202) 262066