A new 1.4 mile route for walking, wheeling and cycling is ready to transform journeys between Vickerstown Park and Earnse Bay on North Walney.
Westmorland and Furness Council Members, funders from Active Travel England and the project team responsible for delivering the scheme, joined contractor AE Yates in Vickerstown Park to mark its opening.
Designed for all ages and abilities, the new infrastructure provides a safe, vehicle-free space, enabling people to confidently choose active travel as their mode of transport across the island.
The continuous route weaves through the green spaces of Vickerstown Park, passing the green bowls club, Park Vale Sports Stadium, a playground and skatepark, before reaching the future site of the Earnse Hub by the coast. It links the communities of Trent Vale and West Shore to Jubilee Bridge, providing better access to growing employment and education opportunities across Barrow-in-Furness.
Constructed within existing verge space between West Shore Road and Trent Vale, it fully separates pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles, minimising disruption for road users.
The former path through ‘the cut’ and Vickerstown Park has been widened to 3 metres and resurfaced to improve accessibility. Additional upgrades include new seating areas, improved bus stops, crossings and traffic calming measures that will enhance safety for all.
Energy-efficient street lighting columns have also been introduced along the route, helping to create brighter, safer streets. These installations are part of the Council’s newly announced lighting policy that aims to enhance community safety, increase energy efficiency and reduce light pollution through modern infrastructure.
The design was shaped by feedback from residents, disability and inclusion organisations, community and cycle user groups and blue light services during a public consultation held in May 2023.
By improving infrastructure, the council aims to encourage more people to opt for walking, wheeling, and cycling, reducing reliance on cars for short trips and contributing to a healthier, low-carbon transport network.
Speaking from Vickerstown Park, Cllr John Murray, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services at Westmorland and Furness Council said: “This new 1.4 mile route marks a significant milestone in our efforts to make Walney Island a more connected, sustainable, and accessible place for all. The infrastructure improvements will not only provide a safe, car-free environment for people of all ages and abilities to walk, wheel, and cycle, but it will also offer a direct and enjoyable way to reach key places across the Island.
“By investing in better paths, lighting, crossings, and traffic calming measures, we are making active travel the easiest and safest option for everyday journeys. This is a real step forward and we look forward to seeing how this new route will transform daily travel for everyone.”
The £1.8 million scheme has been funded by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund who have ring-fenced monies to improve infrastructure that will encourage active journeys across the area.
Graham Grant, Active Travel England Deputy Chief Executive Officer said: “The new Vickerstown Park and Earnse Bay route is a prime example of how well-designed and accessible active travel networks can transform connectivity across communities.
“This scheme will ensure Walney residents and visitors can safely and confidently choose to walk, wheel and cycle to where they need to be, whether that’s to work, school, the shops or just out and about for some fresh air and exercise.
“We’re proud to be funding this project and we’ll continue to work with local authorities across the country to build high-quality active travel infrastructure that makes our towns, cities and villages, happier, healthier and greener places to live.”
Contractor AE Yates have not only worked together with the council to construct the scheme, but they have also been actively involved in making a difference to local communities during their time on site.
Contracts Manager, Gary Reeves said: “Our team not only contributed to the construction of the project but also participated in local litter picking initiatives and enjoyed engaging with local cycle clubs to promote active travel.
“They have truly gone above and beyond by offering a helping hand to residents, including assisting elderly community members with carrying their shopping home. This spirit of support and community engagement showcases our commitment to the project and making a positive difference to the residents of Walney to enjoy the new walking, wheeling and cycling route for years to come!”
While the majority of the North Walney route is now open, small sections of the route require the finishing touches, with West Shore Road set to be fully completed following essential Cadent gas works. The timeline for these works is currently unknown, but the infrastructure in place still offers a safe experience for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Council is now gearing up to start construction on the next investment on Abbey Road, marking another step toward achieving Barrow’s active travel ambitions. In June 2025, the 0.7-mile cycling and walking route will be built primarily in footway space from Ramsden Square to the Park Drive junction, expanding the towns network of dedicated infrastructure.
Both the North Walney and Abbey Road schemes are a part of a wider effort to encourage more people to walk, wheel, and cycle for everyday journeys. This work includes identifying, developing, and securing funding for improvements set out in the Westmorland and Furness Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
Plan your next active everyday journey, whether walking, cycling, or wheeling, using the new journey planner on the Travel Actively Cumbria website.
Read more about Westmorland and Furness Council’s Active Travel Programme.
