A path leading to the Outwoods in Loughborough has been resurfaced as part of a full-scale improvement project funded by Charnwood Borough Council. The 600-metre path, which can be accessed from Nanpantan Road Cemetery car park, has been treated with compacted stone to improve durability and ease of use. The work is nearing completion and is now open to the public.
Cllr Anne Gray, the Council's lead member for open spaces, said: "We're delighted to see this improvement almost completed and available for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Outwoods is one of the borough's most treasured natural assets and we want to ensure it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. This upgraded path provides a more welcoming and accessible route into the woodland and I'm sure it will be appreciated by walkers, families and nature lovers for years to come."
Supporting sustainable access
Cllr Beverley Gray, the Council's Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero, said: "Making it easier for people to access and enjoy our natural spaces is an important part of creating healthier, more sustainable communities. The Outwoods is a special place, and these improvements will help more residents and visitors explore it on foot while developing a stronger connection with nature. Investing in our green spaces supports both environmental wellbeing and our wider ambitions to promote active lifestyles and a greener future for Charnwood."
About the Outwoods
The Outwoods is 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborough and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood. It consists of a variety of different routes and walks and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England, which means it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology. The site is also part of the ancient Charnwood Forest and is the most easterly part of the National Forest.
A second path has also been resurfaced in similar style nearby, alongside new woodland planted near Nanpantan Road Cemetery. The woodland was created by planting 7,000 trees in March, funded by a grant from the National Forest.