Lake District chiefs behind plans to extend the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail said they have received a boost from feedback about the scheme.
The Lake District National Park Authority, Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils and National Highways want to extend the trail to Burns Road and Threlkeld Quarry.
The proposal extending the Keswick to Threlkeld route to go under the A66 to Burns Road, then on past the National park’s authority’s Threlkeld office and Threlkeld Quarry ending at the Recreation Field car park at Threlkeld Cricket Club.
The aim is to improve the safety and the enjoyment of the route for locals and visitors and to reduce traffic pressure on communities. The proposal will also improve accessibility for disabled people and families with pushchairs and fill in a missing link in the National Cycle Network, they said.
An anonymous online survey, which had 344 responses, showed there was ‘good support’ for the plans, the organisations said.
The responses were as follows: 75% supporting all of the proposed changes, 13% agreeing to most and 12% not in agreement to any of the suggestions.
It included responses from people who use the current route regularly as well as those who use it occasionally. Most respondents said they used the route for walking and cycling.
The top three benefits respondents valued were to reinstate the bridge (188 responses), improve drainage (170 responses) and tree planting and nature initiatives (158 responses).
The highest number of responses came from people aged between 50 to 69. 108 were from Keswick and Threlkeld, 152 from people living in Cumbria and the rest were from other parts of the UK.
Those filling in the anonymous online survey were also asked for comments and ideas to improve the proposals. Responses included encouraging responsible use of the paths, for instance reminders to keep dogs on leads, and keeping path surfaces leaf, mud and ice free. Others wanted the route to be accessible for horse riders, include gates that can be opened by multiple users and have safe disabled parking where an adult trike can be unloaded.
Emma Moody, lead strategy adviser for sustainable transport at the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “It’s been great to get so many people feeding back on the proposals for which there is good support. The comments and face-to-face sessions have been very valuable too.
“We’ll be considering all responses and publishing our final feedback on the consultation in mid-November and updating parish councils. People will then see how what they’ve said is shaping the project’s direction and the next steps. It’s highlighted important local and wider user considerations around accessibility, who the path is for, toilets, parking, safety, signage and maintenance.”
“Alongside this we will preparing planning applications for section one and section two, taking into account comments received and landowner views. We will also be carrying out minor works to improve drainage and put a crushed stone surface on the path alongside Setmabanning.”
