Residents of North Walney, Barrow-in-Furness ‘look forward’ to using a new 1.4 mile cycling and walking route that is on track to open in Spring 2025.
Westmorland and Furness Council is making significant progress on its latest active travel scheme that will create a dedicated walking, wheeling and cycling route on Walney Island from the Promenade to Earnse Bay.
On West Shore Road and through ‘the Cut’ in Vickerstown Park, a total of 1260 metres of new kerbs have been laid and 3,370 square meters of surfacing completed; the equivalent size of just over 12 tennis courts. Street lighting has also been upgraded with new columns and energy efficient lights.
Early next year, further works will introduce new benches and even more lighting along the route, a dedicated crossing on Mill Lane, traffic calming measures and a three metre-wide cycle path through the park.
The infrastructure will fully separate cyclists from vehicles through enhancing and widening current footpaths. It has been designed for people of all abilities and ages so they can choose to walk, wheel or cycle with ease and ‘actively’ access the growing opportunities at key employment and education sites across Barrow-in-Furness and the planned Earnse Bay Community Hub.
The Council’s scheme has been positively welcomed by local residents, like Mr Goodwin of Trent Vale who “looks forward to using the cycle path in the new year” and is “really impressed” with the works.
The £1.5 million investment is being funded by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund who have ring-fenced monies to improve infrastructure that will encourage active journeys in the area.
Cllr John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services said: “This new cycling and walking route on North Walney is a key step towards creating safer and more accessible transport options for our communities. By repurposing existing spaces and upgrading infrastructure, we are building a network that encourages people to travel actively across the town.
“It is fantastic to hear the positive feedback from residents who are already noticing the difference this scheme will make, even during construction. We are proud to deliver this scheme and look forward to seeing its completion in Spring 2025.”
Gary Reeves AE Yates Contracts Manager said “AE Yates are proud to be part of such a remarkable project working collaboratively with Westmorland and Furness to provide a dedicated cycle way for the residents of North Walney.”
The North Walney active travel scheme is part of the Council’s Active Travel programme to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys. This includes identifying, developing and securing funding to deliver infrastructure improvements in the Westmorland and Furness Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
The LCWIP for Barrow identifies and prioritises future improvements to the area’s cycling and walking network over the next 15 years (2022-2037) and this new route is part of that network.
More information on Westmorland and Furness Council’s Active Travel Programme can be found on www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.