Cllr Graham Newman and Mildenhall Parish Council chairman John Bloodworth with Samantha Peggs on her horse Jovi start the new cycle, walking and riding path from Mildenhall Cricket Club in Wamil Way to West Row ANL-140804-104541001

A new cycle way through picturesque countryside will provide a safer way to ride or walk between Mildenhall and West Row. The new concrete cycle way follows the route of an existing bridleway. It’s creation was met with apprehension by horse riders who have said they were not fully consulted.

The £250,000 concrete path, funded in part by a Department for Transport Safer Cycling grant of £165,000, was opened this week.

Suffolk County Councillor, Colin Noble, said: “Since I became a county councillor residents of West Row have asked me to develop a safer way to cycle and walk to Mildenhall.

“I am delighted that this pathway has been developed to make it easier to get between West Row and Mildenhall, a distance of approximately 2 miles.”

Mark Burchett of Mildenhall Cycling Club said: “I think it’s brilliant. It will get local people out on their bikes and provides a safe route between West Row and Mildenhall.

“It will help the environment and keeps cyclists off a busy road.”

However the scheme has not been greeted with universal approval.

Trudy Lovatt, a West Row stable yard owner who organised a protest ride against the path, said: “We’re disappointed. The path is clearly defined in law as a bridleway but the needs of horse riders are far down the priority list.”

Mrs Lovatt said the tarmac path was slippery and allowed cyclists to approach horses quickly and silently.

West Row resident Bill Phillips is also disappointed, he said: “It was terrible to see tons of crushed tarmac and concrete go across lovely countryside.”

Suffolk County Councillor Graham Newman said: “The project will improve access to the countryside and encourage people to have a more active lifestyle.”