After more than two years, the stretch of the Keelman’s Way footpath between Clara Vale and Wylam has officially reopened to the public.
The path initially closed after a large landslip to the bank, leaving Gateshead Council with no choice but to close the path which provides a vital link to Wylam from Clara Vale and Ryton.
It is also a popular key leisure and commuting cycling and walking route for many.
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The MP for Blaydon, Liz Twist, has been an active campaigner to get the path reopened since its closure. She campaigned to get Network Rail to complete the footpath, alongside work made to strengthen the railway adjacent to it.
The new path and the structural improvements to the riverbank required multimillion pound investment and over eight months of work, with complex work related to the proximity to the river.
And at 3.30pm on Friday, the Member of Parliament joined local residents to walk the newly re-opened footpath and celebrate its reopening.
Speaking prior to the event, Liz said: "This has been a huge effort by so many people to get the path reopened, as well as being a beautiful walking route it is a key part of the local infrastructure for so many and it was vital to get the path reopened as soon as possible.
“It is a great opportunity to enjoy using the footpath which has been a huge focus of many of us for a long time. So many residents have supported the campaign to reopen the path and I am looking forward to meeting up with them to celebrate the reopening.”
At the event on Friday afternoon, she added: "It's really good to have this route opened again. It's a footpath that's been much missed, loads of people rely on it to get from here to Wylam so I'm so pleased that it's been able to be opened today and that we can mark the occasion by having a little walk along.
"It's really good news, and thanks to Network Rail for all of their input."
The footpath was initially closed in February 2021, with Gateshead Council taking into account the interests of public safety. It came after Storm Desmond in 2015 gradually left the popular walking and cycling spot with large cracks and collapses of the river bank, ultimately affecting the stability of the path.
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