Wish List

Our Forum has been meeting regularly over the last few years to plan and consider ways in which to promote various aspects of cycling within the Ryedale area, particularly cycle routes and trails. Apart from specific trails created by the National Park Authority, there are very few cycle routes. There are minor and sometimes inadequate short sections beside major roads, and the old Byways signposted routes and some sign posted road routes for touring - apart from these, the availability of routes is non-existent in an area where all roads, are now busier and less well maintained.

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If you have an idea of a route, within or into the Ryedale area, however big or small, please contact us to add it to this wish list. Routes should usually be shared, i.e. available to horse riders, walkers and disabled users, unless a parallel path for different users is possible.

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Over the last few years cycling in the UK has increased significantly, not only due to its health benefits and environmental benefits but also due to the recent successes of UK sports people in major cycling events e.g. the Olympics, and Tour de France. Yorkshire in particular has benefited from this with its own Tour de Yorkshire. Conversely the opportunity for the individual to cycle to work, to school, for pleasure, or with friends, is inadequate and sometimes dangerous on increasingly potted and rutted roads.

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Our Forum welcomes the involvement of Town and Parish Councils in helping to highlight particular possibilities where existing paths could be improved, or where new routes could be installed.

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If you have a potential scheme is mind, the process of improving a route or path is always to consult the landowner(s)first. Next, win support from as many different potential future users and other parties as possible, as this makes the following steps much easier. Often some fundraising is then needed to pay for surveyor drawings, which need to be to North Yorkshire Council standards for the Countryside Access Service (Rights of Way Team) and / or Highways Area 4 (Ryedale Area). North Yorkshire Council might help out, or take over the scheme at this point, but they often don’t have the resources to take on what you might expect them to do. Get as much help from NYC as you can at each stage, but you may have to keep on with the organising. 

If the scheme is within the National Park boundary, the National Park Authority Head Rangers are usually very helpful. 

The surveyor advice and technical drawings lead to getting quotes for the scheme, then further fundraising and then installation. It may take many months; persistence and determination is required! If you start on a scheme, do let the Forum know, as we might be able to help to get supporters, information, or to suggest current funding possibilities, or let you know what has already happened on your route suggestion. 

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Here is our wish list so far; we would welcome further suggestions:-

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Castle Howard Estate

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The Estate approached the forum in 2019, for help with ideas for developing their facilities for cyclists. Consideration is also being given to “greener travel” by encouraging and enabling Ryedale’s residents and visitors to cycle to the attractions of the Castle Howard Estate. We hope to be able to share more news in the near future. In the meantime, do have a look at what is on offer at Castle Howard.

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Helmsley Railbed

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Details of this scheme can be found via a separate page here.

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Market Towns Circular

Details of this scheme can be found via a separate page here. Download P4E PDF

Norton / Malton / Old Malton Link – incorporating the parishes of Norton, Malton and Old Malton

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There is an existing right of way north from the Fire station to the Old Malton Road that passes the Orchard Field site and Fitzwilliam Estate office. Facilities at Orchard Fields for leisure have recently been improved but a tarmac route along this footpath from Sheep foot Hill and an improved pedestrian/cycle path along the south side of the road past North Yorkshire Council's offices to Old Malton would enable the linking of two or three communities without the need to travel up Castle gate. Suitable signage and markings would be required at the start and end of this route. Anew bridge where the former railway crossed the river is also a possibility, it would also have to cross the railway.

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North Yorkshire Council appointed consultants to develop a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Malton and Norton

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Thornton-le-Dale to Wilton, A170, on South verge

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A cycleway along the verge on the South side of the A170 between Wilton and Thornton-le-Dale would be very useful for connecting existing quieter lanes and routes in both villages. A footpath already exists on the North verge that is used by pedestrians, including dogwalkers. Because cyclists are likely to want to go quite fast along side this busy main road, a designated cycleway would seem the sensible solution. There would also be occasional use by mobility vehicles and horse-riders. Visibility is good, and signs would indicate that cyclists must slow down to allow these other users.

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Pickering’s missing bike track

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Pickering should, by now, have a cycle / foot track linking the town and Black Bull, with its two pubs and three camping /caravanning / holiday lodge sites, as well as a large holiday complex on the former show field itself.

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Pickering Civic Society suggested to the intending developers of the Pickering Exhibition and Leisure Village back in2013 that a bike track through the site would be a good idea and should help with planning approval. The development was approved and the bike track written into the planning conditions. It was to be paid for by the developer and opened by August 2014. In 2015 the developer was allowed a bit more leeway on completion dates, but the planners stipulated that the cycle track was to be finished and open to the public by June 2017. Sadly, this didn’t happen and the developer went in to liquidation. The whole site, partly developed, was sold. Recently, in 2024,  Forum members have emailed the new owners, and the planning authority, to push for a rapid opening of this route, before further holiday lodges come into use. To add your voice, please email planning.rye@northyorks.gov.uk, quoting reference.

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The cycle route would be a superb facility, both for the 1000 + holiday residents of the Black Bull and show field sites and for the people of Pickering heading to events on the show field or the pubs at Black Bull. It will remove the need to cycle along the A169. Extending the route southwards along the A169 verge would give access to the Beansheaf Hotel and the Beansheaf Industrial Park.

York Rd Industrial Estate to Huttons Ambo Lane end – incorporating the parishes of Malton and Huttons Ambo

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A scheme was implemented, in response toa request by the Forum, to create a 0.5 mile long section of two way, off-road segregated cycle path alongside the A64 at Musley Bank. linking the Huttons Ambo turn-off with Malton’s York Road. This is very useful to touring and recreational cyclists, travelling between York and Malton. Signed routes between York and Malton should now be considered. The route into Malton needs improving. For further A64 ideas please see A64 page.

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