COLNE VALLEY AREA COMMITTEE TO APPLY FOR "WALKERS ARE WELCOME" STATUS FOR MARSDEN VILLAGE (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

COLNE VALLEY AREA COMMITTEE TO APPLY FOR "WALKERS ARE WELCOME" STATUS FOR MARSDEN VILLAGE

February 26, 2010 2:58 PM

"Walkers are Welcome" is a community led accreditation scheme that aims to strengthen a town's reputation as place to come and enjoy the outdoors, bringing useful benefits to the local economy.

Colne Valley Area Committee's Chair, Cllr Nicola Turner (Lib Dem, Colne Valley Ward) has secured the Area committee's right to apply for the "Walkers are Welcome" status on behalf of Marsden Village.

"Walkers are Welcome" is a community led accreditation scheme that aims to strengthen a town's reputation as place to come and enjoy the outdoors, bringing useful benefits to the local economy.

To secure the status, applicant areas have to prove themselves against 6 criteria.

Applicants must

(1) Demonstrate there is popular support for the application through a petition

(2) Receive formal endorsement from the local council

(3) Take action to ensure that the footpath network is maintained and in good condition

(4) Make adequate use of the "walkers are welcome" status for marketing

(5) Encourage walking using public transport

(6) Demonstrate mechanisms are in place to maintain walkers are welcome status

Thus far the area committee has achieved the following against the criteria

• Steering group and sub groups (funding, marketing, rambling routes, accessible routes) have been established.

• A Petition including over 250 signatures of support from local people has been collected.

• A programme of 'Public Walks' is ongoing to attract both new members and to help choose 4 of the 8 possible routes for the scheme.

• Accessible routes suitable for all terrain pushchairs and wheelchairs is being developed by the Accessible Routes subgroup.

• Colne Valley Area Committee has allocated £55,000 from their 2009-10 capital budget towards the implementation of the Walkers Are Welcome footpaths in Marsden.

• The Funding subgroup is actively identifying additional sources of funding for routes improvement work.

• Several volunteering opportunities are being developed with local residents and young people's group (enviroyouth)

In addition, over the past three years, the Area Committee has brought in over half a million pounds to improve the 180 KM paths and bridleways in the Colne Valley, providing half the funds themselves, in addition to attracting further funding from partner organisations and the council itself (1).

Cllr Nicola Turner said:

"Tourism in the Colne Valley is one of the area's best assets and the Area Committee has been looking at ways to support and develop its growth over the past three years"

"We've brought a very significant investment into the area to improve the footpaths and bridleways which people come to use. Securing "Walkers are Welcome" status for Marsden will further our aim to increase the income achieved from walkers visiting the area."

"Our other work on Marsden and Slaithwaite Village Centres Enhancement Schemes and in the creative arts sector supporting businesses are further strands we are progressing to bring a bright future to the valley."