August 13, 2025

Our South Copeland Development Officer, Beresford Moyle Rosser, is back with a fascinating insight into the need for active travel routes, the challenges of turning ideas into reality, and the encouraging response of local residents.

One aspect of the day in the life of a Development Officer is you never know what the day brings. Each day is different and can take you into all sorts of areas you may not have even considered.

Such was the case when I met up with a client who had asked to see me regarding an exciting development to create an active travel route for communities from Barrow to and across the Esk. This ambitious plan links in with the Millom Town Deal and complements the improvement of road infrastructure within Millom and between Millom and Haverigg.

At the same time it also complements and supports The Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan. But it does come with challenges to be addressed:

• There are no active travel routes linking communities to facilities and services in this area at present and public transport is effectively limited to the Cumbrian coastal railway operated by Northern and a very limited bus service between Millom and Barrow. The road infrastructure is underdeveloped and struggles with current traffic demands and is a challenge for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians who need to also use the roads. At the same time, the geography (and limited public transport provisions) of our area means that residents who cannot afford or use a car/taxi service can be isolated from their community and services.
• In South Copeland, we have an ageing population and fewer younger people wishing to make their futures in this area thus leading to some of the most marked demographic changes in the country, which could lead to unsustainable communities. Combining that with poor health and wellbeing and growing levels of obesity makes it an area of the country which has a very poor health record in comparison to other – and dare I say it, richer – areas of the country.
  But, with challenges there also comes opportunities.

Due to the poor health of residents in the area, there is funding available for communities who are seeking to improve health and well being through projects which deliver physical activity outdoors – such as active travel. Some main employers in the area are attempting to reduce traffic volumes and promote healthy lifestyles for their employees offering car share schemes and cycle to work opportunities.

There is a significant gap in the National Cycle Network between Barrow and Walney to Wear cycleways and also Ravenglass to Hadrians Wall. Creating active travel routes which are safe are an efficient way of linking residents to their communities and the services they need and at the same time improves community connectivity.

The corridor for the Barrow to Esk route is in the vicinity of the Lake District National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Making active travel connections to Barrow and over to Esk for sections of the National Cycle Network will provide substantial economic opportunities for the local economy. It will also divert visitors from the overcrowded central Lake District to South Copeland and Furness, as well as including more eco-friendly tourism options to the region with the use of this new active travel route.

What I have found so encouraging about this Project is the response of local residents which has been incredibly positive. So far 130 people have signed up – in a very short space of time – to become members of the Project. This will undoubtedly increase with Project representation at events in Kirkby, Black Combe Country Fair and the Millom and Broughton Show. In a recent survey over 100 residents at a local family cycle event indicated that the primary reason adults and children do not go out on bikes is simply because it was thought that our roads are dangerous for non car users such as cyclists. This Project has the potential to change that view and encourage people to eschew the car in favour of fresh air and a bike ride in our amazing countryside here in South Copeland.

And that cannot be a bad thing.