THE post-industrial town of Consett could become an attraction for thousands of cyclists, if a new promotion scheme works.
Derwentside District Council has erected a number of signs on the coast-to-coast cycle way which passes the town in an attempt to persuade more of the 12,500 cyclists a year who use the route to stop.
The council has invested £5,500 and cycle charity Sustrans £4,000 in the promotion scheme.
Research in the year 2000 revealed that cyclists on the coast-to-coast route spend an average of £33-a-day when they stop off to rest. No numbers are available for the number of cyclists who stopped off in Consett, but it is estimated that of those who did, six per cent stayed overnight.
As well as the signs, secure cycle parking stations near seating areas have been installed and promotional mail sent to 1,000 likely users, of whom 400 have requested the Cycling in Derwentside guide.
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