Walkers on board for trekking Valley
FIVE new walking boards have been installed across the Valley, highlighting local destinations and attractions in our towns.
The easy-to-use ‘Walk Rossendale’ boards in Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden, Waterfoot and Whitworth, are a joint project between Rossendale council and Rossendale Leisure Trust.
In each town centre, there are three walks to choose from and all routes are way marked to help direct people to their destination. The 30, 60 and 90-minute routes vary in levels of length and difficulty, with plenty to discover. Muddy boot trails have also been included for those who don’t mind a messy adventure.
Council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said it’s part of a wide range of local projects enabling better health for everyone in our community.
“Walk Rossendale has been designed to encourage more people to walk in the borough and to increase footfall into Rossendale’s
town centres,” she said.
“Each town and village in Rossendale has its own unique offering, with our beautiful scenery, host of interesting and unusual places to visit and attractions, superb outdoor activities, heritage, culture and so much more.
“We have lots of great leisure facilities in Rossendale and this is just another reason to get out and about in the borough and to get active.”
Awareness-raising walks are already being planned from Haslingden Community Link Centre.
Rossendale Leisure Trust say the walking boards are a great way to encourage more people to be more active.
Julie Holden, Project Officer for Together an Active Future, said: “Through local research we discovered one of the biggest barriers to walking is actually knowing where to go. We know that being outdoors is beneficial for our mental wellbeing, and the benefits of walking are endless. Rossendale is a beautiful place to live and we hope the boards will encourage more people to venture out and enjoy the
footpaths and countryside.”
Sue Shuttleworth, chair of Civic Pride in Rossendale, said the walking boards are “a great idea”.
She added: “Our team of volunteers’ plan to test the way marked routes in Rawtenstall. Civic Pride are highly visible in the community and often get asked about the local area. We will be able to signpost people to the boards.”
Peter Dunn, Centre Development Manager at
The ABD Centre in Bacup, said the boards will be “a great asset”.
“The walks will provide an opportunity to share some of the fascinating history that makes up Rossendale,” he added. “The longer walk in Bacup takes in the Irwell Sculpture Trail birds and Lee Quarry.”
You can find out more about Walk Rossendale on the Visit Rossendale website - bit.ly/WalkRossendale