East Lancashire Strategic Cycle Network

The East Lancashire Cycleway provides 23km of new and 95km of improved cycle routes in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

The cycleway is a joined-up network that provides access to workplaces, schools, colleges, shops and other services, as well as providing tourism and recreation opportunities.

The routes are mainly off-road greenways based on disused railway lines and include enhanced links to key employment sites in Blackburn town centre, Whitebirk, Huncoat, Rising Bridge, Haslingden, Waterfoot, Bacup and along the Rossendale Valley.

The East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway is funded through the Growth Deal, Local Transport Plan, Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 and the National Highways RIS01 programme. It is due to be completed by the end of 2028.

ost of the cycleway is now in place, with only a few further improvements needed to complete the 4 routes which form the strategic network.

Consultations

We are currently holding public engagement on early designs for part of the cycle network being developed along Blackburn Road, Worsley Street and Rising Bridge Road, near Haslingden, Rossendale. The feedback we receive will inform the final design for the scheme, which will be subject to formal public consultation in early 2027.

Find out more and have your say on the initial designs before the end of Tuesday 15 December 2026.

The cycle routes

There are four routes which make up the East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway

The Valley of Stone

16.5km long, largely off-road following a former railway line and connecting Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Bacup and Whitworth to the Lancashire border with Rochdale at Healey Dell, as well as providing access to many employment sites along the Rossendale Valley and the re-opened railway tunnels at Waterfoot.

National Cycle Route 6 - Hyndburn and Rossendale

A mostly off-road and runs in a roughly north-south direction from Accrington in the north to the Lancashire border at Stubbins near Ramsbottom in the south. 12km in length and also follows the line of a former railway crossing several large structures including Helmshore, Lumb and Alderbottom High viaducts.

The Huncoat Greenway

An off-road cycle route between Huncoat Village and Accrington when. It will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a continuous, safe, off-road route just under 2km in length avoiding the busy A679 Burnley Road connecting housing areas to Huncoat Industrial Estate, other employment sites and nearby schools.

The Weavers Wheel

A 26km route encircling Blackburn town centre and is based on a similar concept to the Preston Guild but also has connections with routes into Blackburn town centre. The route was opened in 2018.

Next steps

During 2027 several schemes will progress to the consultation and construction stages including sections of the Valley of Stone at Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, Stacksteads and at Facit near Whitworth, as well as some sections of National Cycle Route 6. The details of any upcoming consultations and construction work will be updated on this webpage.

For more information about the project email: eastlancscycleway@lancashire.gov.uk