Issue details

Approval to apply to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for funding from the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

A funding opportunity through the Tourism Infrastructure Strand of EAFRD has been identified. The aim of this strand is to enhance the tourism offer in Tees Valley, increase visitor spend and attract visitors to stay longer. Priority will be given to projects to enhance and support the development of events and festivals, indicative themes may include traditional crafts, skills, music and drama in rural areas. Support may also be provided to develop access to infrastructure, develop cycle ways and footpaths which have the potential to contribute, through enhanced connectivity, to the development of a network of major visitor attractions across the Tees Valley.

The proposed scheme would upgrade a section of exisiting bridleway running from the foot/cycle bridge over the A66 to Middleton St George. This forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) route 14 which connects Darlington to Stockton. This section of NCN14 follows the delineation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the proposed scheme would improve the surface of the route and improve drainage which has been an issue on this stretch of route in recent years.

To the western end of the route lies the foot/cycle bridge over the A66 and an off-road route all the way to Darlington town centre. To the eastern end the route leaves the alignment of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and continues along Mill Lane and continues to Long Newton and Stockton. This section of route is narrow in places and has no surfacing which makes the route difficult to use at times due to drainage issues and uneven surfaces.