Work is under way on a new cycle path that will form a key link in the government’s active travel strategy.

Planning consent (20/00454/B) for the cycle lane in Pulrose was approved in August this year.

The 3m-wide track runs from the Anagh Junction on the New Castletown Road and follows the border between the golf course and the Pulrose estate, round the back of houses before emerging onto Springfield Road.

Its aim is to link the west of Douglas with the town centre via the existing cycle lane on Peel Road.

Some of the land on which the cycle lane is being built was previously used as a tip.

Douglas Council had sought additional time to comment on the proposal amid concerns over how contaminated land would be dealt with and removed.

The Department of Infrastructure pointed out that they were aware of the site’s history and excavation will be limited to a depth of 200mm, well within the limit of the current capping layer.

Planning officer Chris Balmer, recommending approval of the scheme, said: ’This application will support safe and sustainable travel into the capital without any adverse impacts.

’The route will take pedestrians and cyclists away from the highway and from the front of residential properties and will provide better safety for residents and users of the route.’

The DoI recently completed improvement works on the Nunnery footpath as part of plans to link it to other ’active travel’ walking, cycling and running routes.

Tynwald approved the government’s active travel strategy in July 2018.

Its aim is to see more than 20% of people travelling actively to work by the time information for the 2021 Census is gathered - that’s an increase from 14% when the 2011 Census took place.

A total of £3.8 million is earmarked to be spent over following four years.

An action plan was set up to identify a network of routes within 2.5 miles of Douglas town centre that could allow more commuters to travel safely either on foot or by bike.