National river walk links town with city

A NEW national river walk will be created along the Mersey between Stockport and Manchester, the first of nine such paths promised by the Government.

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The Environment Department (Defra) said the 13-mile Mersey Valley Way would increase access to nature, with new signs and improvements to the existing river path, and boost local businesses by increasing visitors and supporting wider regeneration.

The walk is the first of its kind and part of the Government's manifesto pledge to create nine national river walks, one for each region of England, officials said.

But campaigners called for much greater access to England's riversides, urging ministers to pass laws that provided “responsible” public access to waterways and the wider countryside.

The Mersey Valley Way will have national river walk status, with plans for community engagement such as guided walks and opportunities to volunteer to plant trees, remove invasive species, restore ponds and install bird, bat and insect boxes along the route, Defra said.