A NEW cycle route linking Alice Holt to Lindford has been officially opened.

The ten kilometre route, which was officially opened last Thursday, passes through some of East Hampshire's most attractive countryside and East Hampshire District Council has billed it as "ideal for families".

The route links up country roads through Lindford, Headley and Dockenfield to the woodland park, where it joins up with the family cycle trail at Alice Holt.

Ian Dowdle, from Robin Cycles in Lindford, came up with the idea of linking up the roads to become a cycle route two years ago and said that he was pleased that his idea has finally been realised.

"This is something that I started before I became a [Whitehill town] councillor and it has taken two years to come into fruition. It is a local amenity which links up with Alice Holt, which was voted as one of the top ten cycle routes in the country.

"The great thing about this route is that it was already there so the only cost was putting up the new signs."

Recreation ranger from Alice Holt Craig Earl was equally pleased with the opening of the new route.

He said: "Forest Enterprise was first approached by East Hampshire District Council with the proposal for the Lindford to Alice Holt cycle route in the spring of last year.

"We were enthusiastic to support the initiative as it promotes cycling as an environmentally friendly alternative to using cars for short journeys. It also forges links between Alice Holt Woodland Park and the local community.

"In addition it provides cyclists with a safe and pleasant route to the park without the need to negotiate the busy A325."

Hampshire Council Council's highway safety engineer Peter Goodchild agreed that moving cyclists away from busy roads such as the A325 was a good thing.

"That road can be busy so it is nice to be able to give cyclists an alternative with takes them through the countryside," he said.

Lindford district councillor Yvonne Parker-Smith and parish councillors Ian Skelton-Smith and David Perry were united in their hope that the new route would increase the profile of their village.

Mr Skelton-Smith, chairman of the parish council, said: "It is a quiet route and I hope that it will encourage people to cycle a bit more."

County councillor John Filer said: "We are always saying that we should be using environmentally-friendly forms of transport, so the establishment of new cycle routes is a very important step in that process.

"I think that Ian Dowdle should certainly be thanked for all of his hard work in bringing this about."

Ian Dowdle, in turn, has expresses his thanks to John Filer and to MP James Arbuthnot, for their support for the project.

East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council have joined forces to produce a colour brochure for the route entitled A Quiet Cycle Route Between Lindford and Alice Holt.

It gives detailed instructions for the route, which runs alongside the River Wey, as well as information about local attractions.

EHDC economic development officer Debbie Vodden said: "It is important that we let people know that they can come and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside."

The brochure is available from Robin Cycles, Alice Holt's visitor centre or tourist information centres.

p Hampshire County Council does not recommend the route for children under the age of 10.