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MP Richard Bacon prepares to set off with the children on their way to school	*Richard Bacon with chair of Little Melton Parish Council John Heaser*	*Youngsters supporting the campaign prepare to set off from Hethersett.*

Cyclists of all ages banded together to launch a campaign to improve safety and amenities in the Hethersett and Little Melton area.

The Little Melton cycle path campaign is being supported by MP for South Norfolk Richard Bacon who joined children and adults at Hethersett Village Hall to launch the campaign.

The aim is to improve safety for children biking between Hethersett and Little Melton for school and also to improve facilities for workers employed at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park and also in central Norwich.

After seeing off local children, Mr Bacon made a trip to Little Melton to view an area leading to the A47 at the end of School Lane. He instantly agreed with campaigners who claim it to be a dangerous area for cyclists and pedestrians trying to cross the main road.

Mr Bacon was quick to point out that an underpass could easily have been built under the road to alleviate the problem but the near sightedness of planners and architects had failed to take the opportunity, despite the fact the road cost "a huge amount of money"

Mr Bacon extolled the benefits of cycling which included less pollution, better levels of health, a lowering of obesity and even a drop in the number of accidents.

Campaigners feel that the best way of achieving their aim is a concerted campaign to keep the idea in the public's eye.

The day was filmed by the BBC for their Newsround programme and Radio Norfolk were also in attendance. The campaign was summed up by Year Six pupil Lewis form Little Melton who told the Media "My classmates and I really want a cycle path so we can cycle to school safely."

The group has produced its own manifesto setting out its aims and objectives. You can read this by clicking here.

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Deadline - November 30th, 2009

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon will be joining children on their journey to school on Friday to see at first hand the dangers they face whilst cycling.

Mr Bacon has been invited by Little Melton cycle path campaigners whose aim is to improve safety for children and also to improve cycle facilities for workers employed at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park and also in central Norwich.

The group’s short term aims are to make it possible for children living in Little Melton to cycle safely to schools in Hethersett. Mr Bacon will watch as youngsters cycle from Hethersett Village Hall to the village High and Junior Schools. He will also drive to Little Melton to see an area leading to the A47 at the end of School Lane that campaigners claim to be dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians trying to get across the main road.

“We are hoping Mr Bacon will be able to see for himself how dangerous children‘s current journey is. A survey has shown that hundreds of people in Little Melton and Hethersett would like to cycle to school and work but find the available routes to be too dangerous or too long. The thousands of new homes planned for the area and the possible further duelling of the A11 will add to traffic congestion and pollution. We are campaigning for a safe off road cycle path that will link the major employment areas and will also help children to safely reach schools in Hethersett and cut down on school run congestion.” said campaigner Jane Lewin.