CDL
Spring clean for Stockport bridleway

20th April 2016

Spring is in the air and volunteers from Stockport IT company, CDL, environmental charity Sustrans, the Trans Pennine Trail rangers and Stockport Council rolled up their sleeves to carry out a litter pick along the Kings Reach Bridleway, the section of the Trans Pennine Trail bordering the River Mersey in West Stockport.

The clean-up of the bridleway was scheduled in time to enable volunteers to clear up litter before it is obscured by new spring foliage, and the area is now ready to welcome visitors in the warmer months ahead.
The clean-up of the bridleway was scheduled in time to enable volunteers to clear up litter before it is obscured by new spring foliage, and the area is now ready to welcome visitors in the warmer months ahead.
The Kings Reach bridleway was officially re-opened in September 2015 following an extensive improvement project which saw the area re-surfaced and landscaped to improve views of the River Mersey, and the installation of lighting, seating, interpretation boards and a picnic area along the trail.

Since then, further re-surfacing work has taken place along the route through to East Didsbury and Manchester Road so that there is now an all weather, traffic-free route along the Trans Pennine Trail for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians from Stockport to Cheadle and Didsbury villages.

CDL Group Director, Melissa Johnson, commented: "Since it was re-opened last year, the bridleway has vastly improved the accessibility of the Stockport area and has encouraged some of our staff to leave their cars at home and walk or cycle to work instead.

"With summer approaching, it was the perfect opportunity to spruce up the pathway and make it a place that people from the local community choose to visit to enjoy the sunshine. The area looks fantastic and we would like to say a big thank you to everybody involved for the time they put into the spring clean – thankfully the weather held up for us!"

The Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail, a charity dedicated to actively maintaining and protecting the Trail, have also secured a £10,000 funding grant through the Tesco 'Bags of Help' initiative, which will help to fund the provision of new interpretation boards along the pathway. These will provide information about the varied and rich heritage of the local area, including bleach and dye works, railways and hat making.

Kathy England, Group Co-ordinator for the Trans Pennine Trail volunteer rangers, added: "The Trans Pennine Trail is a real asset to the Stockport area and we're grateful for the support of the dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in its maintenance and care. With their support and the funding from the Tesco 'Bags of Help' initiative, the Trans Pennine Trail has been given a new lease of life, and we cannot thank those who have helped us enough."