Mersey Valley walking route gets £1m for improvements

A walk that stretches 13-miles (21km) through Stockport, Manchester and Trafford along one of the North West's longest rivers is set to benefit from a £1m cash boost that will help protect rare nesting birds on the route.

Paths along the Mersey Valley, which runs along the River Mersey in Manchester, are set to be improved as part of a new national river walk, Manchester City Council said.

Eight additional, currently undisclosed, areas in the UK will also benefit from the National River Trust scheme.

The Mersey Way walking path runs through Fletcher Moss Gardens, Hardy Farm, Kenworthy Woods nature reserve and Merseybank Fields.

The funding was announced after the improvements were first mooted in December

The area will benefit from woodland management, to enhance its flora and fauna and restoration of Willow Tit habitats.

The small, brown-and-grey birds with dark heads, who nest inside the soft wood of rotting trees found along the path, are in danger of being extinct after population figures declined significantly in the UK.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins said the funding would make improvements for the city's residents and access to its waterways.

"Improved signage and renewed paths will make it easier for everyone to explore the nature on our doorstep.

"Being in nature is good for our health and wellbeing and we want to ensure that it's something all of our communities can enjoy."

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