DRAINAGE work, more waymarking, a colour leaflet and other initiatives recently completed will help improve and promote the Cumbria Way long-distance walk.

South Lakeland District Council has taken steps to divert leaking water, which was pouring down Gill banks on the footpath leading up to Stockbridge Lane at the start of the Cumbria Way in Ulverston - a problem which was drawn to the council's attention by local resident Lynn Savage.

Local authorities in conjunction with the Ramblers Association have also agreed to prioritise rights-of-way maintenance and achieve a basic standard of surface, furniture and signing of relevant rights of way off the highway.

SLDC has waymarked the walk from Ulverston to the Lake District National Park boundary and Carlisle City Council from the National Park boundary to Carlisle.

Meanwhile, Carlisle City Council has also expressed an interest in siting a sculpture identical to the Cumbria Way marker sculpture on the Gill in Carlisle city centre at the official end of the walk.

Local artist and blacksmith Chris Bramhall has been invited to Carlisle for preliminary talks.

This year a full-colour leaflet will be produced, providing a broad overview of the walk and containing a certificate which walkers can have stamped in Ulverston, Coniston, Keswick and Carlisle tourist information centres as a souvenir.

Friends of the Lake District are also due to lead market research to assess the future demands, walkers' experience, problems and needs, while Cumbria Tourist Board will audit existing accommodation providers and assess future needs.

"The Cumbria Way is an important attraction in Ulverston and brings many visitors to the town in addition to being a well-used walk for local people," said town centres officer Jayne Harris.

"These initiatives will do much to improve the experience for everybody."