The first, announced on Friday by Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson will see a 1.45km stretch of 2.5 metre wide concrete path linking Goonoo Goonoo Road to the TRECC, AELEC, Hockey Complex, and Sports Dome, as well as the Centre for Sporting Excellence.

Tamworth Regional Council will construct the $900,000 pathway, and are hoping to begin construction in the next few months.

“This will connect the existing shared pathway with a large number of existing and proposed sporting facilities in the area,” he said.

“Because the community have been talking to me and council about the safety of Callala Lane and riding on the highway we have managed to find some funding through the Stronger Country Communities fund.” 

Tamworth Cycle Club race coordinator Robert Wright said the path is fantastic news for both the club and riding community.

“With the new velodrome and criterium track, which we hope will be sued by all rider in Tamworth, this path will give us safe access from in town to the new facilities,” he said.

“It has been on the agenda for a long time, and this is a good outcome.”

Recently local cycle safety advocate Greg Johnstone helped form the Tamworth Bicycle User Group (TAMBUG), who have already been instrumental in pushing cycle safety, and family friendly pathways, such as this, to the front of council’s agenda.

The second pathway, to be officially announced on Monday, will link the Mountain Bike Park on Forest Road to the intersection of Piper and Bligh Streets, and is expected to be jointly funded by the State Government and Tamworth Council.