WORK to upgrade a section of a popular walking and cycling route which was in a terrible state has now been completed.

Warrington Borough Council has finished a project to enhance part of the Trans Pennine Trail in Latchford, between Wilderspool Causeway and Greenalls Avenue.

The existing route was narrow and in poor condition with a surface which was very muddy after rain.

But now the completed scheme is wider, with a new Flexipave surface which is more weather resistant and harder wearing.

The upgraded path continues on from the improved section of the Trans Pennine Trail between Knutsford Road and Wilderspool Causeway, and it will benefit people walking, cycling or using mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

As part of the works, the access from Wilderspool Causeway was also upgraded to improve the gateway onto the Trans Pennine Trail at this location.

Cllr Hans Mundry, the council’s cabinet member for transportation and environment, said: “The Trans Pennine Trail is a nationally important cycle route which passes through Warrington from Lymm to Fiddlers Ferry.

“Quite apart from bringing visitors into Warrington, this path is an important part of our wider cycle network and is regularly used by local people as part of their journeys to work, school and shopping, as well as being a popular leisure route.

“Bringing it up to modern standards with a good quality surface and removing the restrictive barriers means that many more people can use it, including those using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

“This project is another fantastic example of the work we are doing to meet our climate change objectives, and to make it easier for people to travel around the town using more environmentally friendly forms of travel.

“We will continue to seek funding to expand our cycle network so that local people have a viable and safer alternative to using the roads.”