This is a bit of very good news for cyclists.

Anyone who enjoys scenic cycling routes will know the joys of Gloucester Sharpness Canal path. It’s a gentle half an hour from Gloucester Quays to the Gloucester/Stroud border, and a few more minutes more to the well-deserved joys of the Pilot Inn.  The photos shows how gorgeous and far removed from city life this journey is.

But not all the path is in great shape, and I’ve long thought that some improvements would make the journey more popular with more families.

So I’m delighted that after meetings with our County Council and the Canal and River Trust, they have secured funding from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET) and Planning Development Contributions to secure £708,000 for work between Monk Meadows and Elmore Lane West starting by the end of August – with the potential later to extend to the Pilot Inn.

Better surface, timber edged boards, new benches and improved signs are all part of the plan which will take 20 weeks to complete.

I hope the results encourage lots more cycling!