A NEW bridge that aims to cut journey times for cyclists and walkers in Hereford will open next week.

The Greenway, which runs across the River Wye from St James and Bartonsham to Rotherwas, will provide a valuable link into the Hereford Enterprise Zone and offer a quicker and more environmentally friendly alternative to driving through the city.

The new cycle route, funded by Sustrans, is just under three miles long and most cyclists should be able to cross it in 15 minutes.

"I am delighted that this project is nearing completion," said Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for infrastructure.

"It will make the lives of those regularly travelling to and from Rotherwas easier and the journey to work quicker and more enjoyable.

"With a comparable journey made by car taking significantly longer, I am confident that the route will attract new walkers and cyclists switching on to the health, wealth and environmental benefits of this alternative way of travelling into Rotherwas."

People will be able to use the bridge from High Town to Thorn Business Park from 3pm next Tuesday, with the rest of the route to Chapel Road being open by December 20.

The route is traffic-free via the railway underpass into Thorn Business Park and largely follows the line of the dismantled Hereford to Ross-on-Wye railway.

Eventually, the aim is to extend the route along the former railway line to Holme Lacy.

Henry Harbord, Sustrans' area manager for the West Midlands, said: "This project is all about giving people the opportunity to make everyday journeys by bike or on foot and, with the level of support we've seen from the public all the way through the project's development, I'm certain that once open, it will help us towards delivering our ambition to double the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike or public transport, from two out of five to four out of five."