Help shape cycling and walking hub at Delapré Park

Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, the University of Northampton and West Northamptonshire Council would like to hear your views on plans for a new cycling and walking hub at Delapré Park.

Thanks to a £93,000 feasibility grant from the Government’s Active Travel Fund, this joint project between the University, council, Delapré Abbey, Northamptonshire Sport, British Cycling and health colleagues aims to get more people across the town leading healthier lives through cycling and walking.

Through a cycling and walking social prescription programme (a non-medical approach to managing health and wellbeing needs) members of the community will be able to access a cycling and walking hub within the 19th Century stables at Delapré Abbey, which would offer opportunities for cycle hire and repair, group-led rides and walks, cycle training, volunteering and skill development.

Dr Declan Ryan, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, at the University said: “Engaging with nature through walking and cycling is a great way to improve our health and well-being. We encourage members of the public to complete this survey so they can help shape the design of the cycling and walking hub at Delapré Abbey.”

Cllr Matt Golby, West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health Integration, said: “We’re aware that cycling provision in our area needs some attention and this will be a good start towards addressing that.

“It’s vital as we begin to recover from the past two years under a global pandemic that we tackle the impact that has had on people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“This project would continue the development of cycle routes across West Northamptonshire, such as the new routes we have provided between Braunston and Daventry and at Upton Country Park.

“By helping to link up key sites in Northampton, this project will also support our aspiration for Northampton to become an active and vibrant city.”

The project will build on the Delapré Wellbeing Hub at Delapré Abbey, funded by the Thriving Communities programme,  which aims to tackle health inequalities, targeting under-represented groups in cycling, and to improve health, particularly for young people.

To share your views on a cycling and walking hub and pathway improvement at Delapré Park, visit the survey website.