Bequest helps renew footpath

10:56am Tuesday 18th December 2007

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AN ANCIENT Coniston mining track that has been pounded by the feet of hundreds of Lake District walkers has undergone a £6,500 restoration.

The historic 3.5km Hole Rake route connects Coppermines Valley with Tilberthwaite and since miners left the area the picturesque route has become very popular with walkers which, along with heavy rain, has resulted in significant erosion.

However, partnership project Fix the Fells has come to the rescue of 400 metres of the worn trail and, with the help of the Ramblers Association, a skilled specialist restoration has been carried out to enable the path to cope with walkers.

The cost of the much-needed repairs has been helped by the late Maurice Sharpe, of Lancaster, who loved the hills and left a substantial bequest to the Ramblers Association to be spent on maintaining fell walkers' freedom in the Lake District.

Mr Sharpe's legacy has already been used for a £3,000 contribution towards repairs on the Hartsop area path from Hayeswater to The Knott and, following a £2,000 contribution for Hole Rake, another major restoration is due to be supported by the money in 2008.

Fix the Fells project adviser Richard Fox said he was delighted that an important historic route had been repaired.

"Work has centred on stabilising eroded earth and re-instating critical drainage," he said. "Walkers will now be able to enjoy this beautiful area with the added advantage of a vastly improved route. We are very grateful to the Ramblers Association, which has given money to mend a path annually for the last five years. This commitment from such a high profile user organisation is fantastic."

Tony Rogers, the Ramblers Association's area footpath secretary, said: "We are pleased to use some of the Sharpe Fund money as a contribution to the Fix the Fells projects."

Fix the Fells is backed by the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England, and is supported financially by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, Friends of the Lake District, the Ramblers Association and the public.

For more information visit www.fixthefells.co.uk l For more Countryside news go to our website www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk and click on Farm & Country on the left hand side of the home page.