The council has committed its support to a major project bringing hundreds of traffic free trails to the county. 
 

Cabinet has approved a grant of £150,000 to the Kielder Water and Forest Park Trust to deliver the first phase of The Reivers Trail initiative - an extensive traffic free network of trails that will enable greater access to the Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Forest area by all, particularly cyclists, walkers, horse riders and those less able. 
 

The partnership, which also involves Northumberland National Park Authority, Forestry England and a number of local cyclising enthusiasts, aims to: 

• progressively create a network of approximately 350km traffic free trails accessible from gateways at the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Walltown Country Park and Cawfields on Hadrian’s Wall – with access gateways also created at Kielder Castle, Waterside, Tower Knowe, Stonehaugh, Bellingham and Byrness. 

• enable authentic visitor experiences for all, including cyclists, walkers, horse riders and less able people by providing the appropriate infrastructure and transport. 

• explore options for the creation of a short 2 to 5km traffic free loop from Walltown Country Park and identify opportunities to replicate this at other sites where feasible. 

• create a child orientated cycling experience at Walltown Country Park. 

• improve cycling infrastructure at the gateways including parking, cycle stations, mapping and ebike charging. 

• improve and or create walking and cycling paths linking key Hadrian’s Wall attractions between Walltown Country Park and Housesteads. 

• engage schools across Northumberland to promote opportunities for cycle and walking adventures using the Reiver Trails 
 

Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Healthy Lives, said: “This investment will bring significant benefits - unlocking the potential of the existing network of forest trails, quiet roads, and rights of way.  
 

"The quality and scale of landscapes in Kielder and Hadrian’s Wall is such that it has potential to become the premiere location for easy gravel and off-road riding in the UK.  
 

“More importantly, if the network is designed to benefit people of every ability and confidence, it can make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of west Northumberland and to the health and well-being of local people.” 
 

Subject to securing the required funding, the first phase would be delivered over two years from autumn 2022. The first trails and up to five gateways would be open by spring 2023 with further trails being signed though the reminder of 2023.