Plans to deliver one of the Moorlands first Green Travel Corridors along the disused rail line between Cheadle and Cresswell are on track after the Council agreed to start the process of taking ownership of the route.
Since the last train travelled on the line in 1986 the route has become a popular informal footpath well used by pedestrians.
Now Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is looking to establish the route as a greenway to encourage active travel, including walking and cycling, for both commuter and recreational use as part of its plans to introduce Green Travel Corridors across the District.
As the route is currently owned by the Department for Transport this will require transfer of the line to the Council.
Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sports, said:
“Having local places close to residential areas where people can spend time outdoors in a natural environment has always been important but it’s something that an ever increasing number of us have come to value more and more during the Covid pandemic.
“The popularity of this particular railway path has soared with walkers – thanks largely to the fantastic efforts of the Friends group who keep it tidy and well maintained and promote its use.
“We at the Council want to make it safer and easier to travel by more sustainable forms of transport, such as walking and cycling, and this route is ideal for development as a Green Travel Corridor.
“So I’m delighted that our journey to transferring the ownership of the line to the Council has now begun. There’s still some way to go but it’s an exciting project which has real potential to deliver health, wellbeing and environmental benefits for many years to come.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to residents for their support for this scheme and I look forward to continuing to work with the local community as we make progress. This will be a great asset to the people of Cheadle, Huntley, Tean, Cresswell and the surrounding area.”
