The Mersey Valley Way is the first new National River Walk – improving access to Manchester’s great outdoors.
As the first of nine new National River Walks, new government funding of £1m will improve access to the walks and nature the Mersey Valley is renowned for.
The project will involve nature recovery and new signage and information along the route as well as public engagement to promote the river walk and encourage new visitors – helping more people to take advantage of the health and wellbeing benefits of visiting and walking in the natural environment.
The full-length of the 21km walk will run along the River Mersey through Stockport, Manchester and Trafford, with the walk passing through Merseybank Fields, Parkway Playing Fields, Kenworthy Woods Local Nature Reserve, Chorlton Ees Local Nature Reserve, Hardy Farm, and Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens.
The areas will benefit from fen, wet grassland, pond and woodland management and restoration to conserve and enhance the diverse flora and fauna.
Willow tit habitats will be improved. These endangered, nest-excavating birds make their homes in the soft wood of rotting trees found in wetland. Numbers have declined significantly in the UK, leading to inclusion on the Red List of species on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern list.
The Government funding of just over £1m from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was secured by Manchester City Council partners at the Mersey Rivers Trust. It supports the ambition set out in Manchester’s river valley strategy, Our Rivers Our City.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, executive member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport said: “This funding will make a big improvement to access to the River Mersey, and the nature that surrounds it, for our residents. Improved signage and renewed paths will make it easier for everyone to explore the nature on our doorstep.
“The new National River Walk status also brings funding to protect wetland species and habitats. An important aspect of our work to support biodiversity in the city. 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.”
New signage along the route will mark out the Mersey Valley Way as a National River Walk. A competition to design the new logo for over 50 local schools and youth groups along the Mersey has been launched, with a winner to be announced this month.
The first National River Walk comes as part of a broader effort to improve access to nature, including at least £17m this year to make access more inclusive in our forests, alongside the announcement of two new National Forests, with a third to follow next year.
Access Minister Baroness Hayman said: “Nature is a huge source of pride and enjoyment for people across the country, but too many people struggle to find ways to access the outdoors. We are changing that, delivering on our manifesto pledge by launching the first of nine new national river walks, boosting opportunities to be in nature and supporting local businesses that line the routes.”
John Sanders, strategy and development director at Mersey Rivers Trust, said: “Mersey Rivers Trust and its delivery partners are very excited that the River Mersey has been selected as the first national River Walk. Over 3 million people live within a 1-hour journey of the Mersey Valley Way, which is accessible by the Greater Manchester public transport Bee Network as well as walk, wheel and cycle routes. Designating the Mersey Valley Way will encourage more people to access nature as well as enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by the river”.
The Mersey Valley Way’s National River Walk status brings community engagement benefits, such as guided walks and opportunities to volunteer on nature recovery work along the route with pond restoration, invasive species removal, tree planting and installation of bird, bat and insect boxes planned.
Stretches of the existing river path will also be upgraded to meet accessibility standards for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams, cyclists and horse-riders. Community engagement is a major aspect of the project, and the River Walk will be developed in consultation with community representatives and local businesses to ensure the project benefits the local economy and people.
The next tranche of national river walks will be identified through competition bids which go live in 2026.
