GREATER MORPETH DEVELOPMENT TRUST
Press Release
Improving a town centre walk on the wild side
8th August 2008
Work is about to start on the latest stage of on-going project to improve access for Morpeth residents to the woodlands, countryside footpaths, riverside walks and historic buildings around the outskirts of the town.
A five-mile corridor either side of Morpeth from the villages of Mitford to Bothal is gradually being opened up to more people as part of what has become known as the Castle Woods and Water initiative.
Castle Morpeth Borough Council initially secured funding for the initiative from the Government's 'Liveability Fund' and over the past 12 months responsibility for managing the project has been progressively transferred to the Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT).
Working with the Borough and Northumberland County Councils, the Trust has completed improvements to the footpath either side of High House Lane, resurfaced a lay-by at the bottom of the lane to create a safe parking place for visitors to the nearby woods as well as providing new gates and stiles along the path to Mitford.
Work will start on Monday August 18th improving a section of riverside footpath along the banks of the River Wansbeck from the fringe of Morpeth town centre past the Tommy's Field allotments and on to the bottom of the Whorral Bank.
The footpath will be widened and re-laid with an all-weather surface to allow better access throughout the year, especially the winter months when the path has been prone to flooding. A new footbridge is also being built over the Cotting Burn, old fencing replaced, and seating provided.
Work which is being done in association with the Environment Agency, the Borough and Northumberland councils as well as the Tommy's Field Allotment Association, is expected to take about four weeks to complete and during that time sections of the footpath will have to be closed to the public.
As part of a Castle Woods and Water signage and interpretation project local artist John Caffrey who has worked previously with GMDT, will also provide the artwork for an illustrated panel telling walkers using the path about the wildlife, plants and trees they will see, while members of the Allotment Association are planning to establish a sensory garden alongside the river.
Colin Harvey, vice chair of GMDT, says when completed the Tommy's Field project will re-establish a pleasant riverside walk close to the centre of Morpeth town.
"One of the most pleasing aspects of the improvements will be that the walk will be much more accessible to people in wheelchairs because the path is being widened and re-laid with a surface that will make it more usable all the year round," he said. "There will be some disruption while the work is underway but I am sure people will readily agree that the benefits will greatly outweigh any temporary inconvenience."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: - Gemma Gadomski (GMDT Project Manager ) Tel: - 01670 503866 |
