Construction work has begun to restore the 2.5km path between Wyre Estuary Country Park, the Stanah and Skippool Picnic Area and the car park.
The Wyre Estuary Gateway Project has received £243,099 from the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is being coordinated by Wyre Council in collaboration with Lancashire County Council and the Wyre Rivers Trust.
The project aims to restore the length of the public bridleway. This project aims to improve user accessibility by resurfacing the trail, filling potholes, and increasing the elevation of the trail to achieve trail restoration. Customers will also receive new informative signage about the wildlife and cultural heritage of the Wyre Estuary and encourage active travel between key visitor locations along the River Wyre.
The path will be closed for three months. For the duration of the work, alternative routes will be suggested on notices along the route.
This path is part of the Wyre Way, which connects the local coast from Fleetwood to Knott End-on-Sea. This trail connects our recreational sites, such as the Wyre Estuary Country Park, with the surrounding area and passes through ecologically important areas of conservation protection, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Biological Heritage Site for the special and unique ungrazed salt marshes and the Wyre fish and bird life in the estuary.
Due to its location within the estuary, it is regularly flooded by the tides, which has contributed to the path's deterioration.
Councilor Peter Le Marinel, portfolio holder for planning policy and economic development, said:
“Given the level of use along this route and concerns for public safety, it is important to restore the trail to a safer and more accessible condition, with the added benefit of extending the longevity of the trail as an effective public right of way.” Future.
The path is currently impaired in several places. Extensive mud, narrowing of the trail and retention of surface water have resulted in full accessibility being made difficult. We are committed to ensuring that all of our residents and visitors can enjoy the park and are therefore seeking to restore this trail by elevating and resurfacing to significantly improve the condition of the trail and provide greater accessibility.”
The path will be improved to return it to a safer and more accessible condition, with the added benefit of extending the longevity of the path into the future as an effective route for walkers, cyclists and people using off-road scooters and a contribution to the local council We are committed to improving the environment and ensuring everyone can fully enjoy the outdoors in Wyre.
If you have any questions please email PROW@lancashire.gov.uk or countryservice@wyre.gov.uk.
Typical working hours are Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The path is closed during working hours, but changes are possible.