Today, Cumbrian river conservation charity, Eden Rivers Trust has received a grant of £2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of their exciting heritage partnership project, Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges.

Added to money raised by the project’s partners, that will see a total of £2.6 million spent on people and the environment in the Eden over the next four years.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges will remove the barriers that prevent people and wildlife from accessing the natural heritage of East Cumbria and ‘build the bridges’ needed so that they enjoy and thrive in, on and beside Eden’s rivers.

This will include improvements to walks and trails, coupled with better information plus opportunities for all ages and abilities to get closer to nature, so that more people can explore, enjoy and care for Eden’s rivers.

Another major part of the project involves community-led practical conservation projects at eight ‘doorstep’ sites that are within easy reach of urban areas along the length of the river Eden – creating sustainable, healthy, thriving natural spaces.

Whilst developing the project, people who faced the greatest barriers to accessing nature told us that having safe, accessible places to access nature on their doorstep was vital. Here’s a bit more about how one of these sites will be developed as part of Access to Eden:

Loving Engine Lonning

In Carlisle, Eden Rivers Trust spent time with the community surrounding the Engine Lonning green space to find out how the space could be improved to encourage more people to use it.

As a result, over the next two years in a project led by Cumberland Council, a wheel-friendly path will be laid, the environment improved by clearing paths, removing invasive non-native species and local people will discover the railway and roman history of the site through new signs inspired by the community and a programme of community events.

David Ramshaw Secretary and Director of Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust (CWVT) said:

“We are delighted to partner with Eden Rivers Trust and Cumberland Council. We applaud their plans to improve access to Engine Lonning Nature Reserve via better footpaths and the encouragement of visitors to appreciate the area’s flora and fauna, the riverbank, its Roman and (more recently) its railway and other industrial history.

CWVT will actively encourage the local community to learn about this rich history through tours and volunteering and will apply its extensive knowledge to the task of developing a lively interpretation of it on the ground. ERT’s aims complement CWVT’s mission to re-open the adjoining former railway viaduct over the river, initially for pedestrians but ultimately for the disabled and cyclists. There is overwhelming public support for the viaduct to be brought into use once more, thus providing the sole traffic-free means of crossing the river west of Carlisle city centre.”

Elizabeth Radford, Chief Executive, Eden Rivers Trust, said:

“All the partners in this project love the Eden Valley and the special natural places found here, from the river’s source in Mallerstang to the sea beyond Carlisle. This grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow more people to experience the magic of those places, many of whom currently find themselves excluded. Through sharing these places, we hope more people from different communities will be encouraged to join in with caring for the Eden; our countryside and our wonderful river.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“We are delighted to support Eden Rivers Trust with this project that will encourage a thriving, wildlife-rich river landscape and connect local people with the natural heritage of East Cumbria. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, it is great to know that this rich heritage will be safeguarded for years to come, and communities will be able to explore the wonderful nature right on their doorstep.”

Leading a river revival

The 14-strong partnership led by Eden Rivers Trust brings together local councils, environmental organisations, river user and transport groups, community groups and accessibility campaigners whose knowledge and expertise will unlock rivers and nature for more people than ever before, providing opportunities to connect them to the wonder that is the natural world found in the wider Eden valley.

Elizabeth added:

“The project partners have raised £600,000 of match funding from over 20 sources to contribute to this project: including both Cumbrian Councils, charitable trusts and some generous private donors – already a huge community effort which will be recognised throughout the project alongside the incredible contribution from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.”

The post Eden Rivers Trust awarded £2.6m to break down the barriers to Eden’s rivers and natural heritage appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

The final walk was titled ‘A Walk for Waverley’ in a show of support to the Carlisle Waverly Viaduct Trust which wants the former railway line turned into a public bridleway. The group at the Waverley viaduct included Cllr Jessica Riddle, a former mayor of Carlisle, and former MP for Carlisle Eric Martlew.

Earlier this month Carlisle City Council were urged to reopen the viaduct before the new Cumberland Council takes over next year.

The Carlisle Waverly Viaduct Trust have been campaigning for reopening of the route for over a decade.

The post Ramblers Wall Walk Supports Bridleway Bid appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

A significant development has been made to the campaign to reopen a viaduct as a footpath and cycle path.

The Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust have been given a major confidence boost in its mission to reopen the viaduct to pedestrians after university students produced a survey.

The survey, which the five postgraduate students. from Northumbria University Newcastle created, will help the trust clearly justify its reasons for reopening the viaduct. David Ramshaw of the Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust said: “When we started this project ten years ago, we went around all of the pubs collecting signatures. “We got 5,000 signatures that said that we wanted to see the viaduct reopened, but that is all that was said. “This survey is a brand new survey – it asks questions like ‘are you aware of the trust trying to reopen the viaduct?’, ‘how did you find out about this?’ and ‘would you be prepared to volunteer as a Friend of the viaduct?’ If we can get enough people to fill it in, we will have a survey similar to the other one with a large number of people, but we will have data that we can to a funder [with] and say ‘look, 40 per cent of the people who have responded have said they are willing to support us in [these] particular ways.

“They would give all the reasons why they want to cross the viaduct. In some cases this might be commuting to work, or walking your dog. “Not only can we say that we have got this support, but we [can say] that we have got this support with these reasons as to why they want to see the viaduct reopened and that might help us to get in money.”

Carlisle city councillor Les Tickner, who is also a lecturer at Northumbria University, arranged for the students to help the trust. The students are also helping by conducting research and creating a viable plan for the viaduct something the Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust has been campaigning to have reopened for 11 years.

You can take a look at the survey at https://northumbria.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/carlisle-waverley-viaduct-trust

The post Students help viaduct campaign appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

A Carlisle campaign group has launched a publicity drive to highlight the need to reopen one of the city’s historic bridges.

The Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust has welcomed students from Northumbria University who are set to help open the bridge across the River Eden to both walkers and cyclists. The organisation has been working to to reopen the via- duct for more than 10 years and its aim is to “promote public access across the River Eden within the city for walking and cycling, to reconnect and unite communities”.

Julie Bowman, the group’s chair, said this next stage is a major achievement. Five international student have travelled from India to study at the university. The team leader, Vignesh Koreddiwar, 23, said: “We want to help attract people to the area and hope to make video and do a lot of work on social media. We plan on reaching out to charities and others who have interests in the viaduct’s history.”

The team is hoping to be able to secure more than £250,000 in funding to help get the viaduct open and safe for the public are able to use. The volunteers have high hopes for the area and want to introduce some new and younger people into the team to help secure its future.

Julie said: “We hope the students will be able to help us find the money to fund the work we need to do. “They will be able to offer a different prospective.
“The public are well aware of the viaducts situation, many likened it to the ongoing disappearance of many of the city’s historical assets. “Boarded up Carlisle’ was a term used by more than one individual and many were angry in respect of a perceived disinterest by officials and lack of imagination towards the city’s revitalisation. “Most felt and said that the council were more interested in building more housing estate estates.

“Overwhelming support to reopen the old girl is out there what’s not to like about the campaign to give her back to the people?”

The post High hopes for bridge campaign appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

Scores of businesses to show support in poster campaign

A Carlisle campaign group has launched a publicity drive to highlight the need to reopen one of the city’s historic bridges. The Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust has started a poster crusade to open the bridge across the River Eden to walkers and cyclists. The organisation has been working to re-open the viaduct for 11 years and it s aim is to “promote public access across the River Eden within the city for walking and cycling, to reconnect and unite communities”.

Supporters have been asked to put up a poster in a show of solidarity. Julie Bowman, the groups chair, said that her strength of feeling is shared by hundreds of residents who have signed petitions. This was matched by support from organisations like Mencap, Age Concern and the British Heart Foundation together with local businesses including Carlisle Builders, Mcknight and Son.

The city’s Grafix sign makers has also produced at no cost an “evocative poster”. Julie added: “The trust has been welcomed by a vast number of independent businesses to display the posters on their premises mindful of the opportunity for increased footfall.

“On engaging with the public and businesses via these poster drops, campaigners have been delighted with the support for their efforts. “The trust is an apolitical charity but the comments of the public are of great interest, they have a message to local politicians, council and tourist officials who many feel ignore how much we actually care about our environment and our city.

“The public are well aware of the viaducts situation, many likened it to the ongoing disappearance of many of the city’s historical assets. “‘Boarded up Carlisle’ was a term used by more than one individual and many were angry in respect of a perceived disinterest by officials and lack of imagination towards the city’s revitalisation. “Most felt and said that the council were more interested in building more housing estates.

“Overwhelming support to reopen the old girl is out there, what’s not to like about the campaign to give her back to the people.” The viaduct was used for many years as an unofficial footpath until it was closed due to safety concerns, leading to calls from campaigners to reopen it as a footpath. In March it was reported that the leader of the city council, John Mallinson indicated that significant progress could be on the horizon on the efforts to reopen the Waverley Viaduct.

Mr Mallinson said he met a representative from Railway Paths Ltd, a charity that owns and manages a portfolio of former railway land, in order to provide roads and paths suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. Mr Mallinson said that it appears that Railway Paths Ltd ” is in a position to hold the title of the bridge, in support of the trust and to provide them with advice”.

The post Trust’s publicity drive to highlight plight of bridge appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

The leader of Carlisle City Council has indicated that significant progress could be on the horizon on the efforts to reopen the Waverley Viaduct, a long hoped-for project in the city.

Efforts have been ongoing for more than a decade to reopen Carlisle’s Waverley Viaduct as a footpath, and ultimately a cycle path.

The bridge, which runs over the River Eden, formerly carried the Edinburgh to Carlisle Waverley line, which was closed in 1969.

The viaduct was used for many years as an unofficial footpath until it was closed due to safety concerns, leading to calls from campaigners to reopen it as a footpath.

In recent years the Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust has spearheaded efforts to achieve this, but has faced both funding and legal obstacles, which were set to potentially require a footpath creation order to be put in place.

Carlisle City Council’s Conservative leader, John Mallinson, has been one of a number of councillors to express support for the project in recent years.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the city council, he indicated to members that progress on the ongoing issues surrounding the scheme could be on the horizon.

Mr Mallinson explained that he had met last with a representative from Railway Paths Ltd, a national charity that owns and manages a portfolio of former railway land in order to provide roads and paths suitable for walking, cycling, horse riding and wheelchair use.

Describing it as an “interesting talk”, Mr Mallinson said it appears that Railway Paths Ltd “is in a position to hold the title of the bridge, in support of the trust and to provide them with advice and assistance towards fundraising activities.

“He is entering talks with the [Waverley Viaduct] Trust, and it could resolve the issue of ownership, and probably some assistance towards the fundraising.”

Mr Mallinson said he “reiterated the council’s support that we have promised in the past” to the charity.

The post Progress on horizon for drive to reopen viaduct appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

News Archive

The post News Archive appeared first on Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.