Isle of Axholme Greenway is set for completion

Work on the Isle of Axholme Greenway, which will connect Crowle to Scunthorpe, is expected to be finished by this summer.

The 12.5km route will see a mix of on-road cycle routes, improved road crossings, and off-road paths suitable for walking, running and cycling.

The footpath is being upgraded to a three metre-wide surfaced path, and a renewed two metre-wide surfaced towpath along the south side of Keadby Canal.

A second path has also been installed behind the new towpath to allow access for anglers and for future maintenance.

Axholme North councillor Julie Reed, cabinet member for children and families at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Work is progressing well on the Isle of Axholme Greenway and I am pleased it is nearing completion.

“It will provide a fantastic route for people to use – whether it is for cycling, running or walking. There are also plans to use the old railway line to link Haxey, Belton and Crowle, including a link to the new visitor centre at Belton Country Park.

“This will take place in the next couple of years – creating a top tourist spot in the Isle of Axholme for visitors and residents. It is encouraging families to explore parts of the Isle that they may not have seen before, which is a great thing.”

Work already completed includes upgrading the footpaths from Gallagher Park near Scunthorpe to Gunness Wharf and the M181 bridge crossing at Frodingham Grange. The towpath from Keadby to Ealand has also been completed. The remaining work to be done includes improving cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities at Scotter Road, boosting crossing facilities and shared cycle routes at Station Road, Gunness, and shared and on-road cycle facilities at Station Road, Keadby.

There will also be resurfacing of the link between Keadby Canal and Crowle Bridge, improved cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities, and a shared cycle route to Crowle and Ealand Station and widening of a footpath from Gallagher Park to Scotter Road.

The Greenway project is a partnership project involving North Lincolnshire Council and other community organisations such as the Axholme Bridleways Association. The council set aside £1.3m in its annual budget earlier this year to be shared between the Greenway scheme and the Ancholme Valley Way. Work started last year on the footpath which runs alongside the River Ancholme and will link Brigg to South Ferriby.