Sefton-based charity, Rimrose Valley Friends [1], has successfully secured £1,000’s worth of equipment to help maintain key cycle routes across the park.

The grant of equipment is part of the “Love Your Network” initiative [2], which is funded by Active Travel England [3] and delivered by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust [4]. It offers support for community groups whose work takes place on the National Cycle Network (NCN) in England.

Tools include shears, loppers, brushes and shovels, as well as litter-picking equipment and protective gloves. They will be used to ensure that the two sections of the NCN along Rimrose Valley [5] will be kept clear of encroaching vegetation and free of litter, as well as helping to look after the wider park.

Stu Bennett of Rimrose Valley Friends said:

“By caring for these routes, we will be doing our bit to make journeys on the National Cycle Network more attractive and enjoyable for everyone. This will not only encourage more people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling for their everyday journeys; it will also improve the local environment and community, which is exactly what our charity is all about!”

Rimrose Valley Friends member, Dave Blackburn, who coordinates the charity’s ‘60 Minute Heroes’ volunteer team added:

“We use lots of hand tools and other gardening equipment for our work, but not all our volunteers have gardens, and so have no tools themselves.  Providing quality equipment like this for our volunteers is a big expense for charities like ours, so it will make a huge difference to our work and mean that even more people can get involved in helping to keep these routes clear of encroaching vegetation and litter-free.”

If you would like to volunteer with Rimrose Valley Friends, email dave@rimrosevalleyfriends.org or search Rimrose Valley Friends on Eventbrite

Images of pathway clearance using new tools:

Some of the team!

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
[1] Charity’s website: https://www.rimrosevalleyfriends.org/
[2] More information on the Love Your Network project: https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/our-blog/projects/love-your-network-support-for-community-groups-on-the-national-cycle-network-in-england/
[3] Active Travel England is part of the government’s Department for Transport: https://www.activetravelengland.gov.uk/
[4] RVF secured funding for the report from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust “Love your Network”: https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/
[5] Rimrose Valley contains two sections of the NCN – routes 81 and 810 as seen on this map: https://explore.osmaps.com/?lat=53.48013&lon=-3.01599&zoom=13.1492&overlays=os-ncn-layer&style=Standard&type=2d