Last updated at 10:12, Friday, 12 December 2008

Work will start soon on the UK’s biggest outdoor cycling centre for people with disabilities and their family and friends at a former World War Two airfield which has been transformed into a nature reserve.

Nature reserve manager Tim Lawrence helps Vicky Ewers during a taster session

Following a public vote to give Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd’s Wheels For All project near Carlisle a lottery grant of £49,995 workers are due to start building the cycle path through the nature reserve to ensure they are completed before migrating birds return in the summer.

Organisers plan to open the unique cycle route in May next year, but hope work will be completed before the end of March to minimise the impact on the natural environment.

The reserve, between Wiggonby and Kirkbampton, has wetlands, woodlands and two hides.

Tim Lawrence, nature reserve manager said: “Bird breeding begins during spring and as a rule of thumb, operations likely to disrupt breeding/nesting should be completed by late March.

“Certain birds, including skylarks, will begin to nest in the grass verges close to former runways around this time so it is vital construction is completed as soon as possible.

“Oystercatchers and potentially ringed plovers actually nest on the loose stones on the old runways, thus making parts of Watchtree ideal habitat”.

As well as starting work on the cyclepath, the Wheels For All committee is seeking funding and sponsorship for the specialist cycles needed to give everyone the opportunity to explore the reserve.

Honorary treasurer of WNR Ltd and Wheels for All at Watchtree project leader, Bill Knowles said: “We would like to thank the many people who picked up the telephone and voted for our project. Their votes have secured the funding to get the project started before the nesting birds return.

“We are aiming to launch our new cycle path in May next year, and it will give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in safety.

“We aim to make the site more accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities, creating a unique cycle route through the nature reserve for children and adults of all abilities to enjoy. It will be a safe place to enjoy the natural environment. But we need to provide a wide range of cycles for users. We are looking for sponsorship of the 12 cycles needed, including side-by-side tricycles which can be used by blind riders, quadcycles and the VeloPlus which has a wheelchair platform.

“Sponsors will receive recognition for their support on a role of honour and in some cases with their names included on the livery of the cycles.”

Watchtree Nature Reserve is a Defra-owned site and managed by Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd.

First published at 05:19, Friday, 12 December 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk