The Keswick to Threlkeld trail has been officially opened.
To mark the occasion, two local schoolchildren from Threlkeld and St Herbert’s Primary Schools were the first through the Bobbin Mill tunnel which has been re-opened for the first time in nearly 50 years as part of the £7.9 million project to fully reconnect the route.
Monty and Holly, both aged 10, were joined by the Keswick mayor Paul Titley, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, Richard Leafe, plus other community and partner representatives for a socially distanced celebration.
The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway trail has been fully reconnected and enhanced, new picnic benches, seats and perches at viewpoints have been installed as well as new boards to fully tell the national park local history and heritage story of the trail and give information on local wildlife and flora and fauna.
In 2015 Storm Desmond brought the worst floods the county has seen, with around 178.4 mm of rain falling in Keswick.
As a result two of the original Victorian railway bridges that cross the River Greta and around 200 metres of path were completely washed away.
Rawsomes Bridge was deemed unsafe and the well-used route between Keswick and Threlkeld was completely cut off.
The reconnection project has included rebuilding and repairing five kilometres of the trail, reopening and extending of the Bobbin Mill railway tunnel, construction of two new bridges, extensive repair of a third bridge, creation of 200 metres of brand new path, work completed to stabilise the river bank along the way and the entire route being made more resilient to future flooding.
Mr Leafe said: “This has been the most ambitious construction project we’ve undertaken as a national park authority.
“It’s taken five years to complete due to the scale, but we’re thrilled to be able to reopen the trail on the anniversary of Storm Desmond.
“I’d like to thank all of our funders and project partners for their input and the local community for their initial fundraising and for their patience whilst the work was ongoing. I very much look forward to using the trail and seeing others make use of this fantastic safe, local route which provides a sustainable transport link between Keswick and Threlkeld.”
A £7.9 million package was agreed to enable the project to go ahead and consisted of funding from the European Structural Investment Funds which supports innovation, businesses, low carbon activity to improve local growth and create jobs. Funding was also received from Highways England, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and the Lake District Foundation.
Bruce Parker, Highways England’s head of planning and development for the North West, said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to giving cyclists and pedestrians a better deal along our major A roads network, including the A66, we were delighted to be able to provide almost half the money needed to restore and enhance the link between Keswick and Threlkeld. It is fitting that the route has reopened exactly five years after it was so badly damaged by Storm Desmond.
“The route provides a much safer and far more pleasant alternative to cyclists and pedestrians using the busy A66 and we hope it is used and enjoyed for many years to come.”
Jim Jackson, chair of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership’s Investment Panel, said: “We are delighted that with the assistance of a £300,000 contribution from the Local Growth Fund, the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path is set to reopen to the public.
“This much-loved route will strengthen the visitor experience and economic performance of the Lake District National Park. We’re looking forward to seeing both Keswick and Threlkeld communities benefit as visitors enjoy the route once again.”
The Lake District Foundation led a fundraising campaign which raised £130,000. It was supported by the local community, with businesses, residents, visitors and organisations all playing their part in raising money through everything from duck races to online auctions.
The project was managed by Capita and Cubby Construction carried out the work.
