Pathway established at Temple Newsam, enabling access to historical grounds for all visitors
Temple Newsam Estate Receives Major Cycling and Walking Upgrade
The Temple Newsam estate near Leeds has undergone a significant transformation, thanks to a £1.1 million project funded by National Highways’ Designated Funds programme. The renovation project, which involved collaboration with key partners such as Sustrans, Leeds City Council, and the Temple Newsam Estate heritage team, has resulted in the creation of a new accessible route for walking, wheeling, and cycling.
National Highways’ Head of Customer Journeys, Freda Rashdi, expressed pride in supporting the project, stating that the Designated Funds programme plays a crucial role in delivering lasting benefits to communities. Leeds City Councillor Helen Hayden echoed this sentiment, expressing her pleasure in playing a role in creating a new National Cycle Network route that connects communities to Temple Newsam Estate.
The renovation involved the re-laying and filing down of the historic cobblestones to maintain their character while creating a smooth, accessible surface for all users. An historic carriageway was also reinstated as part of the work. The new path starts outside Temple Newsam House, runs through the estate, and connects with National Cycle Network Route 66 to the north.
To make navigation easier, new directional signage has been added throughout the path. A safer road crossing at the southern entrance to the estate has been installed, along with a new signalized crossing at Pontefract Lane. These improvements aim to encourage more people to walk, cycle, and wheel, improving health and wellbeing in the community.
Future plans for the project include securing funding to extend the route over the Aire and Calder Navigation and the River Aire, potentially linking with National Cycle Network Route 67 along the canal. This would create a new accessible route for people traveling between Leeds and Rothwell.
The project was led by Sustrans, who collaborated with landscape architects reShaped, who have experience in sensitive heritage site improvements such as the Liverpool waterfront. Councillor Hayden believes that providing better active and sustainable travel choices will encourage more people to use these options, improving health and wellbeing in the community.
The improvements allow many more people to access the path and enjoy it for leisure and short trips. National Highways highlighted the project as part of their broader vision to provide accessible, safe routes for all users. The new path is already proving to be a valuable addition to the community, connecting people to the historic estate and providing a safe, enjoyable route for active travel.
[1] Temple Newsam Estate Gets New Cycling and Walking Route, Sustrans, https://www.sustrans.org.uk/news/temple-newsam-estate-gets-new-cycling-and-walking-route
[2] Temple Newsam Estate: £1.1m cycling and walking route, BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-59073734
The new cycling and walking route at Temple Newsam Estate, designed for outdoor-living enthusiasts, has been embraced as a crucial addition to the community's home-and-garden setup. The project, focused on improving health and wellbeing, offers a safe, enjoyable route for active travel, promoting a lifestyle that includes regular exercise and enjoyment of outdoor living.
