Campaigners are celebrating a council’s decision to ditch plans for a cycle track across a common.

Lincolnshire County Council had wanted to install the track on Lincoln’s South Common despite opposition from another council and pressure groups.

The Open Spaces Society (OSS) said the scheme to set up the route, with fencing and lighting, would interfere with the public’s right to enjoy the common on foot and on horseback, and would lead to the urbanisation of the land.

The aptly named Mick Commons of the OSS said: “We were overjoyed to learn that, in the face of opposition from the society, Lincoln City Council and other organisations such as the Ramblers’ Association, Lincolnshire County Council has withdrawn its application.

“It would have done immense damage to our unique common. We trust that is the last we shall hear about a cycle track on South Common.”