New footpath at Vicarage Park School promotes walking

The project, done in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council, addresses the public right of way linking Dean Gibson School to Vicarage Park School and Vicarage Drive.

Cllr Eamonn Hennessy, chairman of the council’s environment committee, said: "Kendal Town Council has ambitious plans to improve several key footpaths which have been identified as routes to schools.

"By improving these paths, we hope to make it easier for children to walk to school, which can help with health and wellbeing, as well as helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Before: The unimproved public right of way. (Image: Kendal Town Council)

"It’s great to see this path finished and being so well used."

The alterations to the footpath have been well-received by the local community.

Mrs Katie Green, headteacher at Vicarage Park School, said: "The whole school community has welcomed the addition of the new footpath as we often have members of the public walking through our school grounds and walking their dogs across our school field, which has been a safeguarding concern.

"It has been lovely to see our own children using the footpath and encouraging their parents to do the same."

In the upcoming months, the council's footpath improvement efforts will extend to Kirkbarrow, along with enhancements to Kendal’s connectivity on its riverside routes at Mintsfeet and Wattsfield.