A PROJECT to create a walk alongside a river which would provide access for all is nearing completion.

Stokesley River Leven Group was set up to enhance the riverside for people in the town and make it accessible to everyone. The group’s first project in 2011 was the creation of the Jubilee footbridge, which was designed to allow access over the river to wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and other pedestrians and which replaced an old, iron footbridge, which was closed because it was unsafe.

Once the bridge was opened in 2013, the group began working with other organisations in the town to create a pathway that would allow access for all to and along the river.

Following an online public consultation on the project, the organisation went on to raise £45,500 of grant funding for the Levenside project from organisations including Hambleton District Council and consulted with agencies including the Environment Agency on the design of the pathway.

The proposed footpath sits on land bequeathed to Stokesley residents which is looked after by the Manorial Lands Trust, whose members are all town councillors.

At a site meeting with Stokesley councillors held by the River Leven this week, councillors said they supported to project, but felt the path would be too wide along some narrower areas of the riverside at 1.5m and would not be in keeping with the conservation area. They instead suggested having the footpaths reduced in places and introducing passing places. They also called for professional plans to be drawn up to provide firm costs.

Stokesley Town Councillor Stewart Brennan said: “The trustees are still very supportive of the project. We’ve offered funding to support the project but we are working to understand exactly what it will look like.”