A Cumbrian council has been awarded £1 million to create dedicated walking, wheeling and cycling routes across its area.
Active Travel England has awarded Westmorland and Furness Council ringfenced funding to support the development of new schemes that will encourage people in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith to choose active travel for everyday journeys.
Thanks to the funding, even more infrastructure projects identified in the area’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans will be completed by 2026, the authority said.
The £1,099,299 funding pot includes £271,234 from the Government’s Active Travel 5 Fund and a further £828,086 from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund.
The North Walney cycling and walking route is progressing well in Barrow, the council added.
Set to be complete in spring, it will fully separate cyclists from vehicles through enhancing and widening current footpaths between Vickerstown Park and Earnse Bay.
It has been designed for people of all abilities and ages so they can choose to walk, wheel or cycle with ease and access the growing opportunities at key employment and education sites across Barrow and the planned Earnse Bay Community Hub.
Preparations are also underway for further investment in the town’s Abbey Road.
Creating new active travel infrastructure is an essential part of the Council’s journey to achieving priorities on climate change, supporting sustainable economic growth and helping our communities to lead active, healthy lives.
