Threlkeld Railway Path

Update 19th February 2020

We attended the LDNPA meeting today to hear the debate over the proposal to reconsider the use of tarmac on the Keswick to Threlkeld trail.  We very much welcome that this opportunity was afforded to those advocating for an alternative to tarmac and it was no doubt helpful to all in attendance to have the background set out so clearly by the relevant officers. However, we are disappointed with the outcome of the vote. 

We share the widespread enthusiasm for reinstating the path but we also share the concerns of many that tarmac will harm the rural character of the route. We, like many others, would have preferred an alternative such as reinstating the existing surface type, which accommodated many user groups, or using Ultitrec, such as is used successfully on similar routes in the Peak District National Park. 

Given the strength of local feeling and that new information had come to light demonstrating that tarmac was not a condition of Highway’s England’s funding as had been thought by many at the time the planning application was approved, we had hoped the National Park Authority might support the motion. Nevertheless, we accept the decision and we will continue to engage positively with the National Park Authority as they progress with other path projects. 

Update 7th October 2019

Lorayne Wall - Planning Officer, Friends of the Lake District, 

“Friends of the Lake District remains disappointed that the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has decided to resurface the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path with standard tarmac and would encourage the Authority to reconsider.   

“We are asking for a more natural or natural-looking surfacing, similar in nature to the type of surfacing already used along much of the route and visually more in-keeping with the surroundings. It would also be more sustainable in terms of drainage whilst still enabling a variety of users to access and travel along it, as they have done for many years.   

“Even though planning permission has already been granted, we believe that it is still possible for the LDNPA to change its mind about the surface materials used. We continue to urge the LDNPA to reconsider its decision”.

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Update 26th June 2019 - 38 Degrees Petition

Many of our members, supporters, local people and users of the route agree with us and have signed this petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/n0-tarmac-on-railway-path, which was set up by a local resident to ask for these alternatives to be explored. We’d urge anyone who feels the same to join them in doing so!

2nd April 2019

Friends of the Lake District is disappointed that the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has decided to resurface the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path with standard tarmac and would like the Authority to reconsider. 

We welcome the works to repair and improve the multi-user trail along the stretch of the former railway line that lies between Threlkeld and Keswick. This popular route was a casualty of Storm Desmond and the havoc it wrought in the winter of 2015. 

A funding package of £7.9 million is being invested to repair the trail, stabilise river banks and repair and replace infrastructure along the length of the route to repair damage. The scheduled re-opening in 2020 will be a moment to celebrate but we must ask why the national park appears to be compromising on its choice of path surface. 

Using standard tarmac will have an urbanising and formalising effect on the environment, compromising the historic, vernacular and rural character of the area along the route. 

Other highlighted concerns are that tarmac will be more susceptible to being slippery in icy weather compared to a more natural surface as it was previously, and that that the smoother surface will encourage cyclists to speed and risk other users such as walkers and horse riders. 

In addition to the choice of surfacing we have concerns about tree felling along the route impacting on a county wildlife site and red squirrel habitat. Red squirrels are a protected but threatened species, and some of the felling has already taken place before the arboricultural statement has been approved. In a County Wildlife Site, Priority Habitat and red squirrel habitat, avoidance of harm should be a top priority. 

The reinstatement of the route has been welcomed universally, and we are delighted that it is well on its way to being restored. But our concerns echo those of individuals and groups  including Underskiddaw Parish Council, the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers Association, Cumbria Bridleway Society and the Horse Access Campaign UK. 

Friends of the Lake District is supporting those in opposition by making our concerns known to organisations such as the LDNPA, Environment Agency and Natural England, and by helping concerned parties to connect with each other and advising on possible courses of action. 

We are all unified in asking for a more natural or natural-looking surfacing, similar in nature to the type of surfacing already used along much of the route and visually more in-keeping with the surroundings. It would also be more sustainable in terms of drainage whilst enabling a variety of users to access and travel along it. 

Alternative surfaces have been researched and shared by groups opposed to the use of standard tarmac. We find it hard to understand the decision to use such a material when there are numerous and more sympathetic alternatives available. 

• Flexipave www.kbiuk.co.uk eg Trans Pennine Trail, Barnsley
• Nuflex / Nuphalt www.nuphaltcontracting.com/nuflex/ eg Britannia Greenway, Bacup.
• Fibre-dec www.colas.co.uk/looking-after-today/contracting/specialist-processes-and-surface-treatments/fibredec-surface-dressing/ eg Pembrokeshire Sustrans Cycle Path
• Ultitrec  www.tarmac.com/solutions/aggregates-asphalt/ultitrec

We are also aware of a case study detailing the Ultitrec surface which makes specific reference to the surface “Being primarily used for recreation purposes and situated in beautiful countryside locations it was essential that the completed towpath fit with its surroundings”. We would question why this level of care is not being applied to the Keswick-Threlkeld route. See http://www.tarmac.com/media/956837/ultitrec-case-study-2pp_proof.pdf  for more details. 

Even though planning permission has already been granted, we believe that it is still possible for the LDNPA to change its mind about the surface materials used, and we understand that the planning condition dealing with the detail of what the track will be surfaced with has yet to be discharged. 

We and our partners would urge the LDNPA to reconsider their decision and actually enhance the work already undertaken to re-open this popular route.