A major new walking route in Greater Manchester has been selected as the UK's inaugural National River Walk, as part of a nationwide government drive to improve public access to green spaces.
Path to Promote Health and Nature
The 21-kilometre route, to be known as the Mersey Valley Way, will stretch from Stockport town centre to Ashton-upon-Mersey in Trafford. It will pass through scenic areas including Sale Water Park, following the course of the River Mersey.
Funded by the government, the project's core aim is to connect people with the natural environment, encouraging outdoor activity to benefit physical and mental wellbeing. It is the first of nine such designated walks planned across England's regions.
Accessibility and Community at the Heart
Existing sections of the riverside path will be upgraded to ensure they are inclusive. Improvements will cater to wheelchair users, those with mobility scooters, families with prams, cyclists, and horse riders.
New signage will be installed along the route. The national designation will also facilitate organised guided walks and create volunteering opportunities for local people to engage in nature recovery projects nearby.
A public consultation on the plans is expected to launch in the near future.
Local and National Support
Local councillors have welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm. Aidan Williams, Trafford Council's executive member for climate change, highlighted the borough's pride in providing a "beautiful waterside location" for the path, anticipating it will become a valuable resource for thousands.
Grace Baynham, Stockport Council's cabinet member for parks, highways and transport, called it "fantastic news." She stated the project would open up new opportunities for residents to enjoy nature, improve health, and support local businesses along the popular corridor.
Echoing this, the government's access minister, Baroness Hayman, said: "Nature is a huge source of pride and enjoyment for people across the country, but too many people struggle to find ways to access the outdoors. We are changing that today, delivering on our manifesto pledge."
In a related community initiative, children from 50 local schools are involved in a competition to design a logo for the Mersey Valley Way, with the winning entry set to be revealed next month. The government has also committed to creating three new National Forests alongside the river walk programme.
