A NEW cycle and walk way for schoolchildren has been opened in Stockton.

The path was opened by pupils from Hartburn Primary School and Preston Primary School and the 1.5 mile route is between Hartburn and Eaglescliffe.

Constructed by Highway Construction Services in partnership with Stockton Borough Council it connects Darlington Road in Hartburn to Preston Park in Eaglescliffe.

To officially launch the route, pupils from the two schools rode the path from opposite ends and met in the middle for a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport.

Cllr Cooke said: “The path also links to the rest of the cycle network which really enhances the opportunity for people to get on their bikes or walk to wherever they are going.”

Neil Mitchell, cycle charity Sustrans’ head of delivery for England North, said: “This new route not only connects to the National Cycle Network but also completes a north to south way linking Ingleby Barwick and Preston Park through central Stockton and further north to Hardwick and North Tees Hospital.”

Sustrans funded the work.