One of the key focuses as part of the Council’s regeneration plan for Maryport is to help improve health and wellbeing in the town. This includes waymarking easily accessible walking routes to support local people in getting active.

The Council is therefore asking people to send in details of their favourite short walks in the Maryport area, and over the summer there will be up to five Maryport Miles waymarked, measured, mapped and promoted. Please email leisure.services@allerdale.gov.uk or get in touch through the Allerdale Borough Council Facebook or Twitter pages. 

Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes, Executive Member for health and wellbeing and ward councillor for Maryport, said: “Walking is one of the most popular forms of physical activity. It’s accessible, low cost, has a huge number of health benefits and you can do it with friends or family. It sounds straightforward, but often people don’t know about the best places to walk, don’t want to walk on their own or may not know how long a walk might take. We want to make it as easy as possible for the people of Maryport to get out and about and improve their health and wellbeing.” 

Ideas put forward so far include the promenade, the Percy Kelly arts trail and the marina, but the Council is calling on the public to tell them about any hidden gems. 

In addition, the Council is looking to redevelop a Maryport Walking for Health programme in partnership with Active Cumbria, which involves training local people to become walk leaders. If you are interested in becoming a walk leader, whether you’re an existing volunteer, work with a community group or organisation, or simply have a passion for walking, please get in touch. Training takes place on Tuesday 26 June and is free to anyone interested in leading a walk within their community. To book a place or for more information call Rebecca Stamper on 01900 702711 or email leisure.services@allerdale.gov.uk .