Floods Minister Rory Stewart has launched a new £3.5 million fund to help repair pathways damaged by winter storms in Cumbria.

The Cumbria Countryside Access Fund can provide grants to help repair public rights of way in the Lake District and the region's countryside.

The funding covers reinstating and improving rights of way for rural towns and villages, visitor attractions, long distance trails and those passing through environmentally sensitive areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

-- Advertisement --

The maximum grant is £1m in each of the North, East and South Lake District areas and £500,000 in rural areas of Cumbria outside of the Lake District National Park.

Floods Minister Rory Stewart said: "This money will help re-open many walks and areas that suffered in the dreadful December floods, providing a great boost for local communities and getting the message out loud and clear that Cumbria is very much open for business."

The scheme is part of the EU-funded Rural Development Programme for England and is open for applications until 5pm on 13 June.

(LM/JP)