Pedestrians and cyclists are set to benefit from a new path across Norwich's Mousehold Heath, which is being created as part of a �300,000 project to make the city more 'cycle-friendly'.

Work has started on the new shared use cycle and pedestrian path along Valley Drive, and it should be finished at the start of December.

The new sealed surface is expected to provide much better access for cyclists and pedestrians, and will particularly benefit those with pushchairs or people who are less mobile.

David Bradford, chairman of Mousehold Conservators, the group responsible for overseeing the management and protection of Mousehold Heath, said: 'This path is a vast improvement for cyclists and provides an important link in the network. It's also a great boon to pedestrians, particularly those with access problems, opening it up to others who currently can't use it.

'Cutting back vegetation as part of this work will also encourage new heather growth. All the work carried out on the heath will be sensitive to the habitat.'

The new path will link the Open Academy with Sewell Park College via existing traffic-free facilities in Gilman Road. A new shared path is also being built at Gurney Road to provide an off-road route for younger cyclists, and a 20mph speed limit and traffic-calming measures will also be introduced.

Funded by the Big Lottery, through Sustrans, this work is part of the Connect 2 project, which will see a range of cycling route improvements in the city.