A BEAUTY spot near Petersfield witnessed a Tour de Force as a £1.5m cycle path finally opened to the public.

History was made at 11.30am on Friday, November 18, when Cllr Andrew Gibson officially opened the long-awaited link between Petersfield and Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was the highlight of a memorable morning that included a mass cycle from the park to Petersfield station and back.

Those riding from the country park were joined for the return journey by cyclists who had caught the train or bus to Petersfield.

Spokesman for the sustainable transport group Sustrans, Rodney Clark, said: “I’m delighted that the cycle path is open.

“I’ve wanted this cycle path for 10 years now.

“The roads are for everyone. It is not cyclists against cars, everyone can work together.”

The oldest cyclist was Mike Edwards, an 85-year-old from Emsworth who used to cycle through the Butser cutting in the 1940s.

He said: “I lived in London but used to cycle down to Portsmouth every now and then so this route now takes me back on the old road.

“It’s lovely to be able to pass through here again.”

The ride was also a special occasion for Mike Ashton and Robert Sibley as the Portsmouth CTC members started campaigning for a safe cycle route through the Butser cutting more than a decade ago.

“I think it was always going to happen but it was just a case of getting everyone on board,” said Mr Ashton, who was at the front of the crowd when the ribbon was cut.

“The Highways Agency, South Downs National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council (HCC) have worked on this for a long time with cycling organisations so there’s been a lot of input.”

Cllr Gibson, HCC Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, called the scheme a “fantastic example of partnership.”

He added: “I think this is a fantastic facility and it will attract masses of people to the park. I’m really happy to be here and I hope to see you all on this cycle route in the future.”

The development means it’s now possible to cycle safely between Petersfield and villages south of Butser like Clanfield and Horndean, without having to risk riding along the A3.