Borough Life Summer 2006: End of the road for Shakerley rat run
After: On The Right Track... Wigan Council’s Steve Bell, left, Andrea Marshall and Jason Smith at the restored path. (inset Before: The Muddy lane at Shakerley.)
A Partnership between council and community in Tyldesley has restored the once muddy and dangerous lane at the top of the Shakerley estate, making it accessible to horse riders, pedestrians and cyclists.
Shakerley Lane bridleway was frequently being misused as a rat run for motorists taking a shortcut over the old railway bridge. Dirty and uneven, it wasn’t an attractive leisure proposition for locals either. They approached Wigan Council and, with £10,000 from Big Lottery and Coalfield Regeneration funding, the route was legally confirmed as a bridleway this spring.
Jason Smith, the council’s assistant rights of way officer said: “We’ve installed a new, horse-friendly barrier with a gate for wheelchairs and pedestrians, and high quality modern surfacing. We’ve also cut back encroaching vegetation, so the route is an inviting access to a network of semi-rural paths.”
Signs are being placed at each end of the lane to show the route and provide local information.
Our borough has nearly 300 miles of footpaths and 22 miles of bridleways. Find out more on 01942 404377 or email: rightsofway@wigan.gov.uk