The first stage of an ambitious project to improve and extend the Lune Valley Greenway has been completed. We're working with local partners to create a high quality accessible path, right along the Lune Valley.
The improvements allow people using mobility scooters or buggies to easily access the path, as well as users on foot or bicycle. PHOTO: Chris Foster/Sustrans
A new improved section of the Lune Valley Greenway near Lancaster has been upgraded to allow better access for disabled people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and adapted cycles, as well as families with buggies.
It’s the first stage of an exciting, longer-term plan to extend the Lune Valley Greenway linking communities in Lancashire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
The recent upgrades, between Caton to Bull Beck, allow many more people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, non-standard cycles, or larger pushchairs, to access the route and enjoy it for leisure and short trips.
More accessible and safer for everyone
Our North team worked with Lancashire County Council to improve access and surfacing on the path between Station Road, Caton, which is North East of Lancaster, and its eastern end, near Bull Beck picnic site.
Work included a new ramp for Bull Beck picnic site, widening access points where the greenway crosses Station Road, Caton, Eller’s Farm, Caton and Holme Lane, Caton.
The route is also safer for different users on the path. There are new signs and coloured surfacing laid at the junction with Station Road.
And a ‘share with care’ message on the greenway to encourage courteous space sharing between all the different types of users who use the space.
We’ve smoothed out path surfaces between Caton and the eastern end of the trail where there is damage caused by protruding tree roots.
The team also installed bat and bird habitat boxes as part of the work.
Plan for active travel corridor along the Lune
Local people got a chance to try out the route at a family fun day last month.
There were free rides on a variety of adapted cycles, as well as led rides and walks, and information about the future plans to extend the Greenway as far as Kirkby Lonsdale.
The route currently runs from Morecambe seafront to Bull Beck via Lancaster City Centre and is part of National Cycle Network Route 69.
It’s a popular path for people walking and cycling for leisure, as well as commuting for school and workplaces through to Lancaster and Morecambe.
It is also part of the Way of the Roses challenge route. Our North team is exploring options and funding to extend the greenway further along the River Lune, from Bull Beck, winding through the valley to Hornby, Wennington, Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton.
This would take users from the coast up to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Alex Miller, our Network Development Manager for Lune Valley Greenway said: “We were so excited to showcase the improvements on the Caton to Bull Beck section. It was fantastic to see people trying out the adapted cycles and tramper, demonstrating that disabled people and families can get all the benefits of this beautiful path, as well as people walking, cycling or riding a horse.
“It’s a great example of what we hope to achieve in the longer term as we start to progress our vision to extend the Lune Valley Greenway further along the valley, linking communities from Morecambe and Lancaster through to Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton.
“The greenway is already a well-loved path for people walking and cycling, as well as a quiet space for nature. We hope the route can become a vibrant, multi-user, green corridor for both people and nature.
Getting more people active on their journeys will also help reduce traffic, improve air quality and protect the environment in the area too.”
Our North team received funding from the Department for Transport to carry out the improvements between Caton to Bull Beck, as part of our Paths for Everyone programme to create a high-quality National Cycle Network that everyone is able to access.
Find out more about our work to create Paths for Everyone.
Our North team hope to work with partners in Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire to create an accessible active travel corridor along the Lune valley to North Yorkshire.