WALKERS and cyclists can now travel between Northwich and Winsford without resorting to the road network thanks to a £125,000 project.

The final link in a 9km towpath improvement scheme along the River Weaver is complete and open to the public.

This final 1km, between Vale Royal Locks and the Blue Bridge, now has a new all-weather surface delivered by the Saltscape Landscape Partnership and funded by £60,000 from WREN, £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £15,000 from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

Alison Lomax, manager of the Saltscape Landscape Partnership, said: “As a Northwich resident and as part of the Saltscape team it is great to see the upgraded towpath open.

"This is especially exciting as it is the first project to be completed by the new Saltscape partnership.

"By delivering improvement projects such as this we aim to open up the historic salt landscape for more people locally to enjoy.

"And it looks great, I won’t get muddy boots on this riverside walk anymore!"

Work on the full stretch of the towpath has been carried out in stages throughout a number of years.

Cllr Gaynor Sinar, from CWAC, said: "What was previously a muddy track has been transformed into an all-weather path and cycleway, making this picturesque route accessible to all."

Because of the remote location of the riverside site, most construction materials were transported along the River Weaver by boat from the Canal and River Trust yard in Northwich.

Wendy Capelle, local waterway manager with the trust, said: “The trust is responsible for caring for the River Weaver Navigation and we are delighted this partnership project will make it easier for everyone to enjoy the beautiful, riverside landscape.

"The new hard surface towpath will now open up this popular route to more people, whatever the weather.

"We would just appeal to cyclists in particular to go at a leisurely pace when they pass other users.

"Transporting the materials required for the construction project by boat made perfect sense and was an excellent, sustainable solution to the logistical challenge of working in this remote location."

Richard Smith, grant manager for WREN, said: "The completion of the final link of the pathway improvement works along the Weaver will really open up this fantastic spot for all to enjoy."