Improvement works have recently been completed at either end of the Ullswater Valley to make these paths more accessible than ever.
The path from the car park at Pooley Bridge to the lake shore has recently 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.
Lake District National Park Authority 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.”
And, at the opposite end of the lake, the popular path from Cow Bridge car park along the lake shore at Brothers Water to Hartsop Hall has also recently been enhanced. 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 commented: “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 works have been carried out by local firm Siba Contracts working closely with National Park Rangers and Volunteers, and the routes are now open and ready for use.
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.
More information on Miles without Stiles routes here: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles
