Section of Ashton Court cycling route approved

Plans for a new walking and cycling route section between Nailsea and Bristol have been approved.

Called the Festival Way, the off-road track is being developed by charity Sustrans, Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council.

The city council's planning committee approved the track through Ashton Court on Wednesday.

The scheme is partially funded by a £50m grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

An application for another section will be heard by North Somerset Council planners on 4 November.

As well as the Big Lottery Fund grant awarded to Sustrans in 2007, the scheme is also being funded by the government's cycling city project.

Some sections of the route are already open for use.