East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network

The East Lancashire Cycleway will provide 23km of new and 95km of improved cycle routes in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

The cycleway is a joined-up network that provides access to workplaces, schools, colleges, shops and other services, as well as providing tourism and recreation opportunities.

The routes are mainly off road greenways based on disused railway lines and include enhanced links to key employment sites in Blackburn town centre, Whitebirk, Huncoat, Rising Bridge, Haslingden, Waterfoot, Bacup and along the Rossendale Valley.

The East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway is funded through the Growth Deal, Local Transport Plan, Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 and the National Highways RIS01 programme, and is due to be completed by the end of 2025.

There are four proposed routes identified within the East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway project:

The Valley of Stone

16.5km long, largely off-road following a former railway line and connecting Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Bacup and Whitworth to the Lancashire border with Rochdale at Healey Dell, as well as providing access to many employment sites along the Rossendale Valley and the re-opened railway tunnels at Waterfoot.

• Valley of stone map - Rawtenstall to Bacup (PDF 760KB)
• Valley of stone map - Bacup to Rochdale (PDF 675KB)

National Cycle Route 6 - Hyndburn and Rossendale

A mostly off-road and runs in a roughly north-south direction from Accrington in the north to the Lancashire border at Stubbins near Ramsbottom in the south. 12km in length and also follows the line of a former railway crossing several large structures including Helmshore, Lumb and Alderbottom High viaducts.

• Video of the completed works at Helmshore Viaduct
• The Accrington Branch map - Woodnock Greenway (PDF 815KB)
• The Accrington Branch map - Irwell Vale (PDF 735KB)

The Huncoat Greenway

An off-road cycle route between Huncoat Village and Accrington when. It will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a continuous, safe, off-road route just under 2km in length avoiding the busy A679 Burnley Road connecting housing areas to Huncoat Industrial Estate, other employment sites and nearby schools.

• Huncoat greenway map (PDF 1MB)

The Weavers Wheel

A 26km route encircling Blackburn town centre and is based on a similar concept to the Preston Guild but also has connections with routes into Blackburn town centre. The route was finished and formally opened in 2018.

• Weavers wheel map (PDF 1MB)

Next steps

During 2024 it is anticipated that work will take place on a section of the Valley on Stone at Waterfoot, a new toucan crossing at Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall and on a further crossing at Baxenden on National Cycle Route 6.

For more information about the project email: eastlancscycleway@lancashire.gov.uk