A newly improved section of National Cycle Network Route 658 is family-friendly and accessible to wheelchairs.
Sustrans' Chief Executive Xavier with two of our Estates colleagues Mary and Danny, and Nancy the dog, visiting the Foss Islands Path after it reopened. Credit: Sustrans, 2025.
The Foss Islands Path
Getting from A to B in the north of York if you want to walk, wheel or cycle has been made easier with improvements to the Foss Islands Path.
From those who are accessing the Nestlé factory and York Hospital for work or appointments, to the schools and universities in the area and other points of interest.
The route connects communities along its length, and whilst already popular, it’s likely to become busier with new housing developments under construction nearby.
A dog walker on the newly resurfaced Foss Islands Path. Credit: David Harrison, 2025.
Paths for Everyone
Our routes are designed to be accessible to everyone and the work on this route was designed with that in mind.
Being in an urban area, a variety of different people use this route; from families with pushchairs and prams to people using wheelchairs or adapted bikes for those with limited mobility.
By removing or redesigning the points where people access paths, more people are able to join and leave the route easily.
The resurfacing and widening of the path means that those people can move around on the route more easily. It also makes a more comfortable journey for everyone.
Our Paths for Everyone work is a wider project supported by the Department for Transport, which is working to develop shared-use paths across England.
A tricycle wheelchair bike can more easily access the path through the redesigned barriers. Credit: David Harrison, 2025.
Wildlife friendly
When we say we’re ‘for everyone’, that includes wildlife too.
The Foss Islands Path is a green corridor in an otherwise urban area, so it was vital that we took great care of the local environment whilst carrying out any work.
Some clearance of grasses, brambles and self-seeded saplings has taken place – so you may notice some gaps, but rest assured that these will return naturally.
To enhance biodiversity, we’ll re-seed the area with native wildflowers, creating a richer habitat for the local wildlife.
Blackberries and a cyclist on the Foss Islands Path. Credit: David Harrison, 2024.
Resilience in the face of climate change
Like much infrastructure, the National Cycle Network is dealing with increased rainfall and flooding.
To mitigate against the impact, we've used a nature-based solution on a section of the path to the west of Faber Street in Layerthorpe and created a bog.
To do this, the path has been raised and sloped to allow water to drain off.
New drainage solution on the Foss Islands Path. Credit: David Harrison, 2025.
