[V]isitors to the popular Wain Lane area of Windermere can once again enjoy this well-trod walking route, thanks to the flood recovery team at the National Park, who have repaired the path just in time for summer.
The ‘Routes to Resilience’ flood recovery project launched in January 2017 is led by the Lake District National Park. It restores paths and bridges that were damaged by the 2015 Cumbria floods and Wain Lane and Mirk Lane, near Troutbeck, are the latest routes to be repaired as part of the project.
Rangers are working to restore the network of Public Rights of Way across the Lake District following the destruction caused by Storm Desmond in 2015, whilst also building resilience measures for future flooding.
Scott Duncanson, Flood Recovery Ranger, said: “These paths were like streams for most of the year and largely impassable. The historical drainage problems affecting these routes have also been fixed to avoid future flooding, and finally the public will again have access to these routes.”
These two restored routes will enable tourists to gain direct access to the fells, and farmers and landowners to access their land and stock.
Scott added: “It’s really important that paths around the Lake District are passable and safe so that both locals and visitors have access to this beautiful National Park and World Heritage Site.”
The Routes to Resilience scheme was funded with £3 million by the Rural Payments Agency in November 2016 and is set to reinstate 64 bridges, repair 102 paths and replace 56 items of access furniture by September 2018.
