13/3/2012 - County council funded footpath officially opens in Eden

The construction of a new county council funded foot path and cycleway in Eden has now been completed and was officially opened on Saturday (pictures attached).

The path, which provides a safe link between the villages of Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin on Lune, cost £113k and will provide pedestrians and cyclists with an alternative to walking along a fast and dangerous road.

The path is almost 700 metres long and is being funded from the county council's capital fund. Local residents celebrated the opening on Saturday following completion, which took around three weeks to construct.

The old link to the villages was cut in half by a bypass, meaning that cyclists and pedestrians had to walk along a very dangerous and fast road for several hundred yards, or struggle along an unkempt verge with no path.

County Councillor for the Kirkby Stephen division, Peter Thornton, said: “I'm very pleased that the county council has been able to construct this pathway. It will make a huge difference to the people of Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin on Lune and it will make a big contribution to road safety. The Upper Eden area is very popular with cyclists and this short stretch of pathway will add to the routes available and has got rid of a very dangerous stretch of road for pedestrians and cyclists alike.”

County councillor Tony Markley, cabinet member for highways, said: “This is a great example of how the county council has worked at a local level to deliver the needs of a community. The Parish Council have worked closely with us to ensure the path is accessible for local people as well as improving safety within the area. I believe the £113k was spent on a very worthy project that will improve the quality of life for people in Eden.”

Media enquiries to communications adviser Charlotte Thompson on 01228 226325