Through the CV19 pandemic, active travel has for many people become an essential travel option. Cycling and walking have always been a great way to travel for those able to do so, offering many personal benefits, such as improved health and cost savings. Active travel also offers significant benefit to the environment and local community, helping to take cars off the road, reducing pollution and reducing congestion.
Walking and Running
Walking (or running) within Great Park and into the surrounding areas is an easy option, thanks to the improved network of attractive and convenient footpath links, including the introduction of a new footpath between the Park and Ride site and Brunton First School. The pedestrian, cycle and bus only connections along Brunton Lane, over the A1, can also make active travel a quicker option for trips across the park.
Within NGP there is a mosaic of habitats including ponds, woodlands and meadows. So, for residents who want to enjoy nature close to home, or employees based at NGP who want to get out at lunch or after work, there are a number of Welly Walks to explore.
For those looking to start commuting on foot, we’ve created some essential guides to get you started, whether you’re living or working at the Great Park. Check them out here:
Cycling
Cycling is a great way to get around, and there has never been a better time to get out on your bike whether alone, with friends or with your family. The Great Park has a number of cycle routes (checkout the Masterplan page to see where), including the mainly traffic free Brunton Lane running through the centre of the site.
There are many local facilities that are within easy reach of Newcastle Great Park by bike, including Belvedere Retail Park at Kingston Park and Brunton Village, where you can find a health centre, a post office and more.
All of the local Metro stations have cycle storage facilities available, making cycling as part of a longer trip an easy option.
For those willing to cycling a little further, Newcastle city centre can be reached in around 30 minutes, which when you consider the time it takes to park and get through traffic is probably quicker than a journey in the car.
Wherever you’re going, you can plan your journey using CycleStreets’ online tool, which offers you a number of route options depending on your confidence levels, shows you journey time, distance and even calories burned!
Explore more
The above is just a brief overview of the options you have for travelling to and from Newcastle Great Park on foot or by bike. There’s plenty more information to be found in our various features and posts, to be found below.