The Sea to Sea between Cleator Moor and Moor Row is a stunning tree-lined route with epic Lake District views and rare wildlife. But until recently the path was bumpy and frequently waterlogged. Our land manager Gina Clarke explains how that's all changed.
Gina Clarke, our land manager in the North East shows how we've upgraded the path between Cleator Moor and Moor Row. VIDEO: Mike Brogden
We’ve worked with National Highways to create a smoother, drier and more accessible path on the Sea to Sea between Moor Row and Parkside, Cleator Moor in West Cumbria.
This scenic section of the iconic challenge route (National Cycle Route 7) now has a new surface suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies.
Restrictive barriers along the route have also been changed to allow free access for people on foot, mobility aid or cycle.
The path in this area was damaged by tree roots in many places, and was prone to waterlogging and flooding.
There were also metal barriers at access points onto the route, which can be an obstacle for people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.
Tree roots were removed and a new surface was laid to make the path accessible for mobility aids and buggies. PHOTO: Mike Brogden
We led work to repair damaged sections and lay a new surface. Our team removed barriers. They also worked to improve drainage along the path, and installed new signs.
The £525,000 project was funded by National Highways, as part of a UK-wide programme to improve the National Cycle Network and make it easier for of all abilities to use the path.
Mobility scooter user Clive said:
“The new route is absolutely brilliant. Before this was done I could not come up here because it was too bumpy.”
Laura cycles regularly on the route for short trips. She says: “Before the route was improved it was quite challenging.
“There were some really big tree roots that made it really hard work.
“You’ll probably see more people using the route to things like going to the shops, get to the train station or meet friends for a drink somewhere.”
Our senior engineer Nadine Fecht said:
“This path is a very popular section of the National Cycle Network with stunning scenery and wildlife along the way.
“It’s a traffic-free route for people to walk, wheel or cycle to school, or for commuters travelling to work or the shops.
“Each year thousands of people also travel along it to do the Coast to Coast challenge from Whitehaven to Sunderland.
”Thanks to these changes it’s now easier for everyone to use the path."
National Highways has so far invested more than £80 million into Active Travel projects since 2020 to boost connections and make it easier for people to walk, wheel or cycle separately from traffic.
Freda Rashdi, National Highways’ Head of Customer Journeys, said:
“It’s our pleasure to support the transformative scheme at both ends of the coast-to-coast path at Cleator Moor, and a privilege to know that so many people with a wide range of needs can now enjoy such an iconic route.
“We’re proud to use our Designated Funds to invest in the environment and communities living and working near our roads.”
Route 7 between Moor Row to Cleator Moor is part of the Coast to Coast long distance cycle challenge route, which is 221 km long and runs from Whitehaven to Tynemouth or Sunderland.
The improvement project on this section links to wider work carried out by Cleator Moor and Whitehaven Town Councils to improve sustainable transport in the area.
The Sea to Sea is a popular cycling challenge route and also a local path for people commuting to work, the shops or railway station. PHOTO: Mike Brogden
