The Friends of The Carrs (FOTC) have secured a grant of almost £125,000 towards the creation of a high-quality multi-user path through The Carrs.
The successful funding bid, made through the Paths for Communities (P4C) Scheme operated by Natural England, follows the allocation of £37,500 to the scheme in connection with the Waters Corporation development off Altrincham Road.
For FOTC, formed in 2005 in order to seek improvements in Wilmslow's riverside park, this will be their biggest project to date.
The idea of a Carrs multi-user path was first raised by Macclesfield Borough Council in the Parks Strategy of 2003. By 2008 the present riverside path was degenerating, with tree roots and flooding causing particular problems for pushchair and wheelchair users. FOTC - supported by CycleWilmslow, Living Streets, The Bollin Valley Partnership, Wilmslow Local Area Partnership, Sustrans (the sustainable transport charity) and the local community - sought a solution that would deliver a path that would permit easier access through the park.
Graham Beech of FOTC said: "In 2012, Emma Houghton at the Bollin Valley Project heard about the Paths for Communities grant scheme and promptly called me, saying 'This has got your name all over it!'. After many months of discussions and form-filling, we were thrilled to hear that our application was successful. We will now work with P4C and Cheshire East Council to ensure that the work progresses as planned in order to be completed by the spring of 2014."
According to Rob Sawyer, Secretary of CycleWilmslow, "CycleWilmslow have long advocated a multi-user path, or "greenway", to improve access to The Carrs for walkers, pram users, wheelchair users and cyclists - so this is great news. Not only will the path offer a high-quality route through the park but it will also link into a wider network of cycling routes to Mobberley, Styal, Manchester Airport and beyond."
The 2.5m wide multi-user path will run from the Parish Hall car park, off Chancel Lane, to Carrs Bridge, where it will link to existing paths suitable for cycling. The surface dressing will ensure that the path blends in well with its surroundings.
Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, will seek to designate the path as a branch of the National Cycle Network (NCN), linking into the nearby Airport Orbital Cycleway (NCN Route 85).
Friend of The Carrs is a voluntary community group which works with Cheshire East Council and the local community to improve The Carrs park. For further information visit www.friendsofthecarrs.org.uk.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I just hope those dog owners who can't control their animals keep them on the lead so they don't chase bicycles. And wouldn't it be good if the multi-user path could be extended down the valley all the way to Styal Mill giving a relatively level ride all the way, and encouraging people to visit the Mill by bicycle instead of by car.
In terms of dogs etc. my view is that the path will be a big success provided that users (walkers, dog walkers, cycle users, joggers, scooter users....) show consideration for one another.
I agree that a new route to Styal avoiding the 35 steps would be a real boon.
I note part of the route goes through area of the Carr's where dogs can be allowed off the leash.
If pedal bicycles are allowed, the closest classification would appear to be a bridleway, which permits pedestrians, bicycle and horse riders but not motorised scooters or scrambling bikes.
On bridleways, pedestrians and horse riders take precedence over bicyclists.
Whilst I welcome path improvement for pram/wheelchair users, I would hope the designation remains, as now, a pedestrian 'pathway', thus preventing use by horse/bicycle users. Otherwise we could end up with policing and enforcement issues.
The designation of the Carrs path is not stated (it may or may not be a bridleway, which would allow use by horses), but it will cater for cyclists and walkers as the article states.
http://bit.ly/1aNjWby
The funding bid was made on the basis of multi-user path (including cycling) that would improve access for all to the countryside.
Horse riders are unlikely to visit the park, partly because of its remoteness from stables. And (fictional) crazed cyclists looking for challenging cycling are hardly likely to want to blast their way through The Carrs! On the other hand, commuters and family cyclists will surely value the amenity.
It's perhaps worth mentioning that dogs and their owners are the biggest single category - and the single biggest problem - in the park. Perhaps the upgraded path will improve their behaviour!