Lake District visitors will find the going easier on two routes in the Ullswater valley, thanks to path improvements.
The national park authority has carried out the work on paths in the Pooley Bridge area and alongside Brothers Water.
The authority said the route from the car park at Pooley Bridge to the lake shore has been improved to even out the surface and widen it in places to make it easier for people with assisted wheelchairs and prams to be able to access the water’s edge.
Project ranger Val Edmondson said: “This part of the Ullswater Way has suffered storm damage and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to make sure it remains one of our accessible Miles without Stiles routes.
“It’s ideal as the car park is so handy and there are bus stops close by and this path allows easy access down to the water to enjoy the spectacular views. Families with young children and people with limited mobility will undoubtedly benefit from the work we’ve done here.”
At the southern end of the valley, the popular path from Cow Bridge car park, near Hartsop, along the shore at Brothers Water to Hartsop Hall has also recently been improved. This path also suffered from weather damage, which destroyed drainage ditches and meant the path washed out in places and damaged the surface. This has now been repaired.
The improvements have been welcomed locally. Sam Bunting, local resident and parish councillor, said: “The Miles without Stiles initiative is brilliant. As a disabled mother with active young children, it’s wonderful that there are accessible, short walks on our doorstep that we can enjoy together as a family.”
The park authority said there are 48 Miles without Stiles routes throughout the Lake District national park, all of which are routes suitable for people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and the visually impaired.
Grumpy old so and so
31 January 2020Don't know why this wasn't a solution for Keswick Railway!
Rod Hepplewhite
01 February 2020'Grumpy old so and so', I agree with you 100%. I would say it's down to the sheer stubbornness plus the 'we know better than ' attitude of the LDNPA Board and Chief Exec. IMHO, both should be replaced with people who don't have the 'holier than thou' attitude of the present crop.
john jefery
02 February 2020Yes, on the Keswick railway path this type of surface would have been a much better option than what they've gone for. I would say any idiot can see that but in this case I'm wrong because obviously the 'IDIOTS' making decisions on footpath surfaces didn't see that.
It would be nice to have a photo taken from the exact same place on the ullswater path in say 12 months time. Just so we can all see how much of that loose gravel has washed off the path and down towards the lake. This is something I see all to often in the Lake District.
Maybe someone from the national park authority should get out from behind their desk and take a look at some of the previously 'repaired' paths so they can see the current method obviously DOES NOT WORK.
Timbo
03 February 2020This sort of surface isn't as durable as tarmac.