BOLLIN Valley rangers are celebrating after an eight-month project to improve a footpath in Morley Green came to an end.

The long-awaited footpath forms an essential part of the Bollin Valley Way, linking the National Trust Styal estate with Manchester Airport’s Runway Two trail and Cheshire East Council’s public footpaths.

Work began to overhaul the path last October after the Bollin Valley Partnership was awarded a £27,000 grant from the WREN FCC Comm,unity Action Fund.

Emma Houghton of the Bollin Valley Partnership managed the scheme.

“Before the work began, people couldn’t access the site on wet days and its condition put off all but the most intrepid walkers,” she said.

“Now the area is open to a much wider audience and more people are gaining confidence to explore the area. We are delighted by the success of the scheme.”

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The funding was used by the Bollin Valley Partnership to signpost, drain and surface the footpath, while kissing gates were also installed to improve access.

Richard Smith, grant manager in Cheshire for WREN, said: “It’s wonderful to see something we have funded finally open and ready to make such a difference to access at the very popular Bollin Valley Way.

“The pathway improvements look fantastic and I hope they will be used and enjoyed for many years to come.”