Cyclists and walkers will be able to avoid busy A1133 as Trent Vale Trail works progress

Planning for the next section, from Besthorpe to Fledborough Viaduct, will follow soon after.

When complete, the work will create a route from north of Newark to the Dukeries Trail,

The trail is an initiative by volunteers with Sustrans, who hope the completion of the works will allow a range of activities to take place along the trail, including guided walks and bike rides, ecology events and pushchair picnics.

A number of other organisations pitched in to help volunteers. including Nottinghamshire County Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council and a number of parish councils, in particular Collingham.

Support from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Tarmac, Linconshire Co-op and local businesses has also been received.

Working closely with the county council, the volunteers successfully bid for EU LEADER funding.

That paid for the new section of the trail linking Collingham with Besthorpe; part of the route passes through Besthorpe Nature Reserve.

Local county and district councillor Maureen Dobson said: “I’m passionate about opening up the Trent Vale Trail.

“We know how important it is to take regular exercise. We are always being told by the health authorities we have to do things to stop obesity and diabetes, and this is one of the ways to do it.

Coordinator for Newark Sustrans volunteers Alan Hudson said: “After three years of fundraising and planning involving lots of local people, I am really excited that construction has begun.”

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