The BEAT Route (Barrow to Esk Active Travel) is a community led project with a big ambition to create a safe, family-friendly route for walking, wheeling, cycling, and riding that links communities on the Southwest Coast of Cumbria. It’s about more than just a path; it’s about connecting people to places, improving health and wellbeing, boosting local economies, and helping our area move towards a cleaner, greener future.
The Vision and Our Principles
We envision a community where walking, wheeling, riding, and cycling are safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background.
The BEAT Route project will:
• Make active travel inclusive for all
• Improve health and wellbeing
• Increase access to work, education, and leisure
• Support sustainable economic growth
• Reduce social exclusion
• Improve road safety and air quality
Our principles are based on equality, engagement, health and wellbeing, and place making. We want this project to celebrate our culture and heritage while making daily travel safer and more enjoyable.
Why It Matters
Many people across rural Cumbria rely heavily on cars, even for short journeys, because there simply aren’t safe alternatives. Busy A-roads, narrow lanes, and inaccessible rights of way make walking, wheeling, or cycling unsafe or impractical for many. The lack of options contributes to social isolation, low activity levels, and health inequalities in our rural communities.
When developed the BEAT Route will:
• Provide safe, accessible routes for everyday journeys
• Connect people to schools, shops, transport, and leisure
• Encourage healthier, more active lifestyles
• Boost local business and tourism
• Reduce congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions
• Strengthen community connections and social inclusion
Who We Are
BEAT Route is driven by local volunteers currently working alongside Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council the Lake District National Park Authority, with the support of The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans). The group has no political affiliations and represents a growing number of community supporters, with backing from local parish councils, councillors, MPs, schools, and businesses. Over 350 residents have already signed up to show their support.
What We’re Doing Now
With strong community support, BEAT submitted an expression of interest to the South Copeland Community Investment Fund and has been invited to apply for funding. The aim is to secure funding to carry out a detailed feasibility study, led by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. This study will initially consider two key sections:
• Millom High School to Green Road Station (approx. 4.25 km)
• Haverigg Road/Sea Wall to Silecroft Station (approx. 6 km)
These routes link into the Millom Town Deal active travel improvement project, extending the network and complementing other planned work.
Whilst the work progresses in this area we continue to explore funding options to carry out a similar detailed feasibility study considering route options between Askham and Broughton-In-Furness.
Feasibility Study
The feasibility work will follow Active Travel England’s Rural Delivery Roadmap and adopt a community first approach. Our hope is that it will identify preferred route alignments, carry out land ownership research, develop concept designs, and prepare high-level costings. Landowners will be approached for early conversations and ‘agreements in principle’ where possible. The work will also produce visualisations and reports to help communicate the project and attract further funding.
The study will run over roughly ten months, providing the technical foundation for future development and investment.
Community Support and Strategic Fit
BEAT Route enjoys strong community backing and aligns with a range of local and regional strategies, including:
• Cumberland Council Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2023–2028)
• Cumberland Council Plan (2023–2027)
• Copeland Local Plan (2021–2039)
• Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (2022–2037)
• Cumbria Tourism Destination Management Plan (2024–2030)
The project also contributes to national goals for sustainable transport and public health. By improving access and connectivity, BEAT supports healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a climate positive future.
Next Steps
Once the feasibility work is complete, BEAT will seek funding to design and build the route. We’ll continue engaging with landowners, councils, and local residents to make sure the project benefits everyone and reflects our community’s priorities.
How You Can Help
Please contact us for more information and to show your support for safe, accessible, and connected active travel route through southwest Cumbria.
Email:beatroute2@gmail.com
Website: beatroute.org.uk
