There are now only weeks to go until the £7.9 million refurbished Keswick to Threlkeld multi-user trail is fully reopened for the first time since 2015 when the former railway track path was severely affected by flooding during Storm Desmond.
Following input from the local community, new branding has been agreed for the popular route.
The new logo, which will feature one-way markers and information panels, consists of a native water crowfoot flower and a railway wheel, which blends local flora and fauna, gives a nod to railway engineering and clearly depicts a place where nature and heritage thrive.
The on-site interpretation will include bite size local nature information along the trail, larger panels on the railway, the bobbin mill history, and information on Storm Desmond’s impact on the trail and local area.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, an online information sharing session took place last month to gauge opinion on the proposals for on-site interpretation and included members of Keswick Town Council, Friends of the Lake District and various community representatives, along with Lake District national park area ranger Cath Johnson.
A number of alterations and additions were suggested by community representatives and have been included in the final interpretations.
Participants in the session also discussed access points, picnic and rest spots along the length of the trail and how best to bring it to life without impinging on the natural beauty of the route.
A main point of discussion on the day was how best to encourage good manners from all user groups and these ideas have been included on the site panels.
Cath said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in the information session who helped us shape our on-site interpretation. Their local knowledge was really helpful and we’re very happy with how the interpretation has taken shape to really enhance the trail for all users.
“We’d also like to thank the local community, once again, for their support with the project through fundraising, which was crucial in enabling it to go ahead.
“We know the local community is now every bit as excited as us to see the trail back in use for the first time in nearly five years and it’s full steam ahead for December.”
Thanks to a £7.9 million funding package from Highways England, the European structural and investment funds, the Local Enterprise Partnership and community support from the Lake District Foundation, work is due to be completed on the trail before Christmas.
