Footpath works getting underway in Cramlington

05 Sep 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

The council is beginning work to improve pedestrian access to footpaths in Cramlington. 

The paths in Barns Park are popular with dog walkers and residents but regularly flood, particularly in winter. In very cold conditions they can ice over, making them virtually impassable. 

The work is being funded jointly by the County Council along with a contribution from the small member’s schemes fund of Cramlington Village County Councillor Mark Swinburn.  

He explained: “When the estate next to Barns Park was built, there were some gravel paths laid down through the green areas. Over the last 40 years these have been so well-used by dog walkers and residents that they have simply worn and washed away. 

“It becomes really boggy in the winter, and in cold weather it ices over and you cannot use the paths. Residents have been asking us to sort them out.” 

Work, due to start in early September, will involve resurfacing paths and compacting them to a firm level surface. Before this the paths will be scraped clean of the built-up vegetation and soils back to the original width and to the stone base. 

Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Improving Roads and Highways, said: “Keeping our roads and paths in good condition is one of our priorities and it’s important footpaths are maintained so they remain safe and usable. 

“The finished job should ensure this popular path continues to be well used by the local community for years to come.”