IT carried trains for 75 years; now a redundant railway viaduct is set for a new use - as part of a long-distance cycle path.

The Hockley Viaduct, south of Winchester, could soon be carrying bicycles on the National Cycle Network, route 23, Southampton to Basingstoke.

Built in around 1890, the 33-arch structure was one of the first to be constructed with a concrete core and was last used by trains in 1966.

Now the cabinet at Winchester City Council has supported the cycle path proposal.

Chris Webb, of the Friends of Hockley Viaduct, said: "We are in favour of this, it sounds a very good idea."

One potentially complicating factor is the cost of maintenance. A report in 2007 estimated it needed around £1 million spending on it, a figure not available in this recession.

Demolition has been considered in the past although it would probably be as expensive to knock it down as to conserve it.

The late Ken Penman, council leader in the mid-1980s, called in the Army to blow it up but the military backed out after the issue became controversial.

The city council wants the cycling charity Sustrans to take on ownership as it has the skills and the access to funding. Sustrans, said a council report, is reluctant as it has no guaranteed income.

Whatever happens the council says urgent work is needed to the parapet and track bed.

Route 23 through Winchester, passes through Winnall, along the Black Path, Winnall Manor Road, Garbett Road and Wales Street, to the city centre. This part is due for completion this summer.

The second part runs from Bridge Street, The Weirs, Domum Road, and the Itchen Navigation to the South Winchester Park and Ride.

The South Downs National Park is considering altering the route of the South Downs Way to enter Winchester via St Catherines Hill instead of via Chilcomb and Highcliffe, said the report. That would allow an easy link-up to this path.