THE banks of the River Bollin is a favourite with walkers – and they can now have a safer ramble thanks to a path revamp.

A public footpath near the River Bollin has been extensively refurbished and new signage installed to help users cross a busy main road safely.

The footpath, which runs beside the river in Bowdon, is part of the 25 mile Bollin Valley Way (BVW).

Over time, river bank erosion and deteriorating drainage, resulted in the path becoming narrow and waterlogged. The Bollin Valley Partnership (BVP) in conjunction with Ramblers Association Trafford Group, obtained a landfill tax grant from Biffa Award.

The grant was supplemented by BVP and the Ramblers Association.

Over the course of a year, vulnerable sections of the path were levelled and surfaced, drains were cleared to remove surface water and wooden climb over stiles replaced with metal kissing gates to make access easier for walkers of all abilities.

The work was carried out by specialist contractors and the BVP Ranger Team. The path crosses the busy A56, just north of the M56 at junction 7, before continuing into the Dunham Massey estate farmland.

New signage was introduced on the path to direct walkers to a safe crossing point at a traffic island.

Speaking on behalf of the Ramblers Trafford Group, footpath secretary June Mabon, said: “The work on the path has restored a much needed link in the Bollin Valley Way as it passes through the more rural fringe of the borough. The whole route is now well signed and suitable for walkers and joggers, young and old, who want to enjoy the great outdoors but within easy reach of home.”