5/10/2010 - MEDIA INVITE: Better access for countryside footpath

A countryside footpath is now more accessible and easy to use after a local group and parish council teamed up with Cumbria County Council.

Five wooden step stiles have been replaced with kissing gates on a one-mile route from Ivegill village.

The work has been carried out under the Skelton Parish Paths Initiative project and to mark its completion an official opening ceremony is taking place at 11am on Thursday October 7.

Photographers and journalists are invited to the opening where they are asked to meet at High Head Sculpture Valley for 10.30am.

Representatives from Cumbria County Council, Skelton Parish Council and Ivegill Footpath Group are all due to attend the opening. 

The project was initiated and co-ordinated by members of the Ivegill Footpath Group and Skelton Parish Council with support from Cumbria County Council’s Countryside Access Team who provided advice and part of the funding under the Parish Paths Initiative (PPI). 

The county council’s Parish Paths Initiative allows parish and town councils and associated community groups to apply to the county council for a grant for improving local rights of way.

Running between Ivegill village and High Head Farm this route meanders through woodland and over farmland following the River Ive.

The new kissing gates were installed by a member of Ivegill Footpath Group from kits manufactured locally by Brampton Woodworks to a specification and standard approved by the county council.

Councillor Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for countryside access, said: "The PPI grant funding is vital to projects such as this one in Ivegill and I’m delighted we’re able to support these kinds of schemes.

"The kissing gates will make a big difference in improving access to this route and I’m sure people are going to make good use of it."

John Clarke from Ivegill Footpath Group said: "We are delighted with the new gates and how well councils, landowners, contractors and special interest groups have worked together to achieve this local project"

ENDS

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330.