Barrow beauty spot opens its gates to all
Disabled and elderly pedestrians in Barrow will have better access to a local beauty spot after accessibility to the area is to be improved following requests from the public.
The Westfield Trail near Barrow in Furness is a leisure trail shared by cyclists and pedestrians. Recently a problem has come to light where disabled users or elderly people using mobility scooters or large buggy type vehicles can’t proceed through the entrance.
Cumbria County Council are ensuring that people with all levels of mobility can access this renowned beauty spot by opening one of each pair of gates on a trial basis from 1st February 2012. This move will not compromise the safety of the public as it will still prevent and prohibit vehicular access.
The trial is being imposed after local residents contacted the Chair of Cumbria County Council’s Barrow Local Committee, Councillor Ray Guselli, who is the County Councilor for Roosecote, after they were concerned that they could not access the Westfield Trail, which forms part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.
Cumbria County Council’s local highways team met with Councillor Guselli and jointly developed the solution to open one half of the gates to allow free access to all users while maintaining a narrow enough gap to prevent cars from passing down the route.
Councillor Guselli said: “It’s important that everyone should be able to access every part of our beautiful county, and it’s great to know that the Westfield trail is now open for everybody to enjoy.
“In the short term we are looking to chain the gates open but assuming the trial is a success we will look to remove the gates all together. I know the people of Barrow are very considerate when it comes to keeping the countryside clean, but I’d like to stress that dog walkers must be extra vigilant in clearing up any mess as the area has now been opened up to wheelchair users and we are also encouraging more families and children to use the walk.”
The Westfield Trail, which forms part of the wider Furness Greenways Project, is a linear route providing enjoyable access all year round for walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and those with pushchairs and young children. The trail has a good concrete surface along its full length and provides fine flora and fauna views as you follow the coastline between Rampside and Barrow.