CYCLISTS in the New Forest know all about the ups and downs of attempting to cross difficult terrain.

People riding along a former railway line near Brockenhurst have been confronted by yawning gaps caused by the demolition of two bridges across forest tracks.

Cyclists have to drop 20ft down the embankment and then scramble up a steep gravel track to rejoin the disused railway.

Now the Forestry Commission and Hampshire County Council are literally bridging the gap.

They are replacing the brick-built bridges at Long Slade Bottom with wooden ones in a £30,000 project to keep cyclists on the level.

John Sorrell, the county council's New Forest transport strategy officer, said: "The bridges will make riding safe, pleasant and secure for everyone.

"They also help provide people going to and from work or college with a practical alternative to using road transport."

The new bridges are on the former Ringwood to Brockenhurst line, which closed in the 1960s.

Helen Wood, the Forestry Commission's communications manager, said: "The scheme will stop further damage to a sensitive part of the Forest habitat.

"Deep gullies have been dug by cycle wheels going up and down the embankments. We hope the scars can now be gradually restored."