Plans to create hundreds of kilometres of free trails for walkers, cyclists and horse riders across some of Northumberland's most dramatic landscapes have moved a step closer.
A partnership of the council, the Northumberland National Park Authority, Forestry England, the Kielder Water and Forest Park Trust and a number of local cycling enthusiasts, is looking to create 350km of trails to enable greater access to both Hadrian's Wall and Kielder Forest.
The routes will be traffic free and focused on cyclists, walkers, horse riders and those less able.
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Northumberland County Council's ruling cabinet have agreed to provide a grant of £150,000 for the first stage of the initiative. The trails will be accessible from gateways at the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Walltown Country Park and Cawfields on Hadrian’s Wall – with access gateways also created at Kielder Castle, Waterside, Tower Knowe, Stonehaugh, Bellingham and Byrness.
Speaking at the cabinet's meeting last week, Coun Richard Wearmouth joked: "As someone with border sheriffs in their family tree, I'm not too sure how I feel about supporting revivers - but I will forgive it."
Coun John Riddle, who represents the Bellingham ward, added: "This is something that has come through the cycling and walking board and has been discussed at length.
"It's a quite unique link between the Sill and Kielder. For the distance that we're getting here it's extremely good value for money, it's very very cheap.
"It's off public hughways so it's very very safe. I fully endorse this."
Subject to securing the required funding, the first phase would be delivered over two years from autumn 2022. The first trails and up to five gateways would be open by spring 2023 with further trails being signed though the reminder of 2023.
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Healthy Lives, said: “This investment will bring significant benefits - unlocking the potential of the existing network of forest trails, quiet roads, and rights of way.
"The quality and scale of landscapes in Kielder and Hadrian’s Wall is such that it has potential to become the premiere location for easy gravel and off-road riding in the UK.
“More importantly, if the network is designed to benefit people of every ability and confidence, it can make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of west Northumberland and to the health and well-being of local people.”
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