A new £1.8 million 1.4-mile route for walking, wheeling and cycling is ready to transform journeys between Barrow’s Vickerstown Park and Earnse Bay on North Walney.
Westmorland and Furness Council members, funders from Active Travel England and the project team responsible for delivering the scheme, joined contractor AE Yates in Vickerstown Park to mark its opening.
The new route provides a safe, vehicle-free space and the continuous route weaves through the green spaces of Vickerstown Park, passing the green bowls club, Park Vale Sports Stadium, a playground and skatepark, before reaching the future site of the Earnse Hub by the coast.
It links the communities of Trent Vale and West Shore to Jubilee Bridge.
Built within existing verge space between West Shore Road and Trent Vale, it fully separates pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles, minimising disruption for road users.
The former path through the cut and Vickerstown Park has been widened to three metres and resurfaced to improve accessibility. Additional upgrades include new seating areas, improved bus stops, crossings and traffic calming measures.
Energy-efficient street lighting columns have also been introduced along the route, part of the council’s newly announced lighting policy that aims to enhance community safety, increase energy efficiency and reduce light pollution through modern infrastructure.
The design was shaped by feedback from residents, disability and inclusion organisations, community and cycle user groups and blue light services during a public consultation held in May 2023.
The £1.8 million scheme has been funded by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund who have ring-fenced monies to improve infrastructure that will encourage active journeys across the area.
Contractor AE Yates worked with the council to build the route and also got involved with local communities.
Contracts manager Gary Reeves said: “Our team not only contributed to the construction of the project but also participated in local litter picking initiatives and enjoyed engaging with local cycle clubs to promote active travel.
“They have truly gone above and beyond by offering a helping hand to residents, including assisting elderly community members with carrying their shopping home. This spirit of support and community engagement showcases our commitment to the project and making a positive difference to the residents of Walney to enjoy the new walking, wheeling and cycling route for years to come!”
While the majority of the North Walney route is now open, small sections of the route require the finishing touches, with West Shore Road set to be fully completed following essential Cadent gas work. The timeline for these works is currently unknown, but the infrastructure in place still offers a safe experience for pedestrians and cyclists.
The council is now gearing up to start construction on the next investment on Abbey Road this month.
The 0.7-mile cycling and walking route will be built primarily in footway space from Ramsden Square to the Park Drive junction.
