Improvements are to be made to an ancient byway that will help those taking part in a charity cycle ride.
Nottinghamshire County Council is providing £5,000 for the work on the path in Halloughton.
It is part of the route for Tonya’s Challenge, an annual event that raises money for Southwell Care Project.
Mr Simon Carr, the challenge route planner, said the resurfacing would make a big difference for junior cyclists on the five and ten-mile routes.
He said: “As it is now it would be very difficult for a child to cycle along it without having to push the bike.
“I am always cautious because I am responsible for the route. We want people to come back the next year and if they have to cycle along a rough road they might not want to.
“When it is resurfaced it should offer a nice off-road route that has fantastic views.”
The route, between Oxton Road, Southwell, and Halloughton, through Halloughton Woods, is an ancient byway that had fallen into disrepair.
Mr Carr thought it dated back to the days of turnpike roads, but had never been adopted as a highway.
The work is expected to be completed in the next few months.
The local county councillor, Mr Bruce Laughton, said money had became available because of an underspend on another project.
He said the council was approached by Southwell Care Project with a request to upgrade the route, which was impassible, to allow the fundraising event to take place.
He said: “It is one of their major fundraising events and therefore it is of absolute importance that we support it.
“Southwell Care Project is an organisation that provides an excellent service and value for money and the county council felt a bit of support to them to allow them to raise money would be better than just giving them the money because it will allow them to hold the event and generate funds in the future.”
Tonya’s Challenge was founded by Miss Tonya Hinds, of Norwood Gardens, Southwell, and her grandmother, Miss Beryl Smith, of Lower Kirklington Road, Southwell, to raise money for the care project.
The ride initially took place along Racecourse Road, Southwell, and around Fiskerton.
In 2008 Miss Hinds and Miss Smith were no longer able to organise the bike ride due to ill health so a group was set up to organise Tonya’s Challenge.
The challenge has four routes of 51/2 miles, 91/2 miles, 20 miles and 37 miles, all starting and ending at Southwell Rugby Club.
This year’s event takes place on April 10.
More information is available at <a href="http://www.tonyas-challenge.org" target="_blank">
www.tonyas-challenge.org</a> <a href="mailto:e.hambidge@newarkadvertiser.co.uk">
e.hambidge@newarkadvertiser.co.uk</a>
