LOCAL residents celebrated the re-opening of a newly improved section of the Trans Pennine Trail at Lymm at the weekend, with free events for all ages on the popular path.
People on foot, using a wheelchair or other mobility aid, buggy or bicycle, can now access the trail between Whitbarrow Road and Camsley Lane subway, thanks to a new smooth weatherproof ‘Flexipave’ surface made from recycled tyres. Cumbersome A-frame barriers on Star Lane, which prevented people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters from getting on the trail have also been replaced by new, accessible versions.
Free activities included a pedal powered Scalextric Set, Tree ID walk and a Dr Bike.
The charity Sustrans worked with Warrington Borough Council, the highway contractor AE Yates and the Trans Pennine Trail to upgrade accessibility on the one-mile section. The work was funded by the Department for Transport as part of Sustrans’ national programme to create ‘Paths for Everyone’.
It’s the second phase of work on the route in this area. Last year the path section between Reddish Lane and Whitbarrow Road was also resurfaced with Flexipave, and six restrictive ‘A’ frame barriers were replaced.
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, cut a ceremonial ribbon to reopen the path.
Cllr. Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for transportation, highways and public realm said: “It’s great news that the upgrade to this section of the Trans Pennine Trail is now complete. It was previously in poor condition and inaccessible for people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters, particularly in poor weather. Now, thanks to these improvements, it will be accessible for everyone, all year round.
“The Trans Pennine Trail is one of our priority routes as runs through the heart of Warrington and is a key part of our wider cycling network. We’re really pleased to have been able to work with Sustrans over the past few years to deliver big improvements to several sections of the trail – in Sankey Bridges, Latchford and now in Lymm,”
Rosslyn Colderley, North of England Director for Sustrans said: “These improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail mean so many more people will be able to enjoy this beautiful tree-lined path away from noise and traffic.
“The new surface and more open access mean that families with double buggies who may have struggled with the route before can now easily walk onto and down the Trail.
“It’s designed to be fully accessible for people with mobility scooters, wheelchairs or larger adapted bikes. And cargo bikes will also be able to use the path.
“It really is a path for the whole community.
“We want to continue working with local authorities across the whole length of the Trans Pennine Trail and the wider National Cycle Network, to create high quality routes which everyone can access, no matter what their ability.”
John Wilson, Chair of the Trans Pennine Trail Partnership said: “It’s great to hear another project has been delivered to improve accessibility on the Trans Pennine Trail – whatever type of user you are, having full accessibility is vital to make sure you can have a wonderful experience on the Trans Pennine Trail. Huge thanks to our partners at Warrington who were one of our first across the Trail to have guidance available to help assess access controls. Thanks too to Sustrans for securing the funding needed.
“This is a wonderful off-road section that has an abundance of flora and fauna for everyone to now freely enjoy without fearing they wouldn’t be able to get on the Trail or use the Trail to visit the wonderful village of Lymm. Great work by everyone involved.”
Sustrans has worked with local authorities in Yorkshire, Merseyside, Manchester and Cheshire to make improvements along the 370-mile Trans Pennine Trail. The long-distance coast-to-coast path runs between Southport and Hornsea, and has several additional spurs.
The Lymm improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail links to wider plans for walking and cycling routes as part of Warrington Borough Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The council has also delivered upgrades to other sections of the Trans Pennine Trail in Warrington including alongside the Manchester Ship Canal in Latchford.
For more information on improvements to the Trans Pennine Trail in Lymm see: www.warrington.gov.uk/TPT-Lymm Warrington Borough Council welcomes comments on their active travel plans for Warrington, which can be sent to [email protected]
For more information on the Trans Pennine Trail look up https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk
Find out more about Sustrans Paths for Everyone programme: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-us/paths-for-everyone/
Picture shows: Cllr. Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for transportation, highways and public realm, cut a ribbon to celebrate the re-opening of the new route section. Also holding the ribbon is John Nichol, the Council’s Transport Planning and Strategy Manager (right) and Nick Brelsford from Sustrans (left).
PHOTO: Paul Heaps
