Warrington Borough Council is developing plans to carry out major improvements to part of the Trans Pennine Trail in west Latchford, between Wilderspool Causeway and Greenall’s Avenue.

The existing route is narrow and has a poor quality surface which is very muddy after rain. Funded by the Warrington Town Deal, the proposed scheme will provide a wider path (up to 3.5 where space permits) with a bound surface such as tarmac, which will be more weather resistant and harder wearing.

The new path will be very similar in design to the recently completed section of the Trans Pennine Trail between Knutsford Road and Wilderspool Causeway and will benefit people walking, cycling, using mobility scooters and wheelchairs, helping people travel sustainably, healthily and safely.

As part of the works, the access from Wilderspool Causeway will also be upgraded to improve the gateway onto the Trans Pennine Trail at this location.

Local people are now being given the opportunity to find out more about the plans, see designs and have their say, through a five-week consultation, which begins on Monday 27 June. People can get involved and make comments by completing the online survey form on the TPT upgrade project page.

Residents living in the immediate vicinity of the works will receive a letter, providing information about the project.

People can also find out more by visiting the dedicated project web page and by attending a drop-in event at the Morrison’s store on Greenall’s Avenue on Wednesday 13 July, between 2pm and 7pm, where the draft plans will be available to view, and members of the project team on hand to answer any questions.

All responses are welcome and will help inform the detailed design of the scheme.

Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for transportation, environment and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “The Trans Pennine Trail is a nationally important cross country cycle route which passes through Warrington from Lymm to Fiddlers Ferry. Quite apart from bringing visitors into Warrington, this path is an important part of our wider cycle network and is regularly used by local people as part of their journeys to work, school, and shopping as well as being a popular leisure route.

“Bringing it up to modern standards with a good quality surface and removing the restrictive barriers would also mean that many more people can use it, including those using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

“This scheme continues the work we are doing to deliver the aspirational cycle network as defined in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). We are very pleased that the Warrington Town Deal programme is funding this project as it forms a key part of the green ring of sustainable travel routes around the centre of Warrington.

“This project is another great example of the work we are doing to meet our climate change objectives and to make it easier for people to travel around the town using more environmentally friendly forms of travel. Please get involved in our consultation, have your say and help us deliver a fantastic project.”

Most of the proposed improvements will be along the line of the existing path and will not impact on local residents.  The vast majority of trees along the route will be retained, due to their importance to the local environment. However, to make room for the path and to prevent future root damage and leaf drop onto the new path, a small number of trees will need to be removed. A tree survey has been carried out which confirms the numbers, species, age and condition of the tree stock.

The aim is to complete the works before the closure of the Stockton Heath swing bridge in April 2023, so that this path can be used as one of the diversion routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

The consultation starts on Monday 27 June, ending on Monday 1 August.

Notes to editors

• The Warrington LCWIP is a government required strategy that underpins all of our investment into walking and cycling. It was published in December 2019.
• The Warrington Town Deal was approved by the government in February 2022 with an award of over £22.1 funding.
• The Trans Pennine Trail extends between the North Sea and Irish Sea and is also part of the National Cycle Network managed by the cycling and walking charity Sustrans.