Part of the Guild Wheel cycle route

A plaque to celebrate the Guild Wheel cycle route will be unveiled this week.

The route, which opened in 2012 to act as a lasting legacy of the Guild Year, has been awarded the best community project by the North West Institution of Civil Engineers.

Advertisements

It will also be a moment to remember one of the co-designers of the Wheel route, Mike Atkins, who passed away in January this year.

Peter Ward, chairman of the Guild Wheel User Group, said: “I’m extremely pleased the Guild Wheel has received this prestigious North West community top award; for what is a permanent and very popular legacy of the 2012 Preston Guild.

“The original idea for the route came from my twin objectives of creating a popular Guild Legacy and a safe, scenic, cycling and walking route, around the city, with easy access for most Prestonians.

“The late, cycling and environmental enthusiast, Mike Atkins, a prominent member of the group, helped me to design most of the 21 mile route which links the City to the countryside.”

The plaque will be placed just off Maritime Way in Preston’s Docklands, as you enter it from Navigation Way.

Alan Butler, North West regional director for the Insitution of Civil Engineers, said: “Preston Guild Wheel provides an attractive and accessible amenity for local communities.

“At the same time, its location and natural attraction will have a positive effect on tourism and economic regeneration.”

You can see the Wheel route below and also read Lisa McManus’ thoughts as she attempted the route for the first time to celebrate its first year in operation.

Have you done the Guild Wheel? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below