CYCLISTS are praising a new era in cycling as a public consultation for the first ever cycle route through Wanstead Park opens.
Several local groups have pushed the City of London Corporation over the past 18 months to enforce a clause in a byelaw dating from 1950 to allow cyclists to cycle through the park.
The byelaw prohibits free cycling across the park, but conservators of the park have the power to allow cycling on a permissive route.
Cycling campaign group, London Cycling Campaign pushed for the new cycle route.
Member of the campaign group, Chris Elliot, 57, of Wanstead Park Avenue welcomes the move.
He said: "Anything that improves cycling through the park will be welcome because there is a natural route to cycle through the park between Wanstead and Aldersbrook.
"City of London have been a lot more open to discussion in recent years and now they are saying there is a way in which people and cyclists can use the park without harming its beauty.
"I will of course be making use of the route if the proposals get the go ahead."
The new route will make cycling from Wanstead to Aldersbrook easier for people who work in the area and for children using the park to get to school.
Keen cyclist Andrew Davies, 41, who works at the Bike Trax store in Cambridge Park said the proposal can only be a good thing.
He said: "It is common sense at the end of the day, if we can push more people onto a bike then it has got to be a good thing."
Cycling Conservative cllr Paul Canal also agrees the path will do wonders for encouraging more people to use the park and to get on their bikes.
He said: "It is bizarre that in the 21st century you can't cycle through Wanstead Park.
"To allow people to cycle across the park will not only encourage more people to cycle, but also to to enjoy the park."
A route currently exists to the west of the park on the boundary between Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park.
The public consultation opens on July 21 until August 12, to have your say visit cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest.
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