Upgrade to Riverside Walk paths targeted

Project manager David Searle of the Horsham Town Community Partnership (HTCP) said progress made on the walk was a ‘fantastic achievement’ for the group.

He added the group will look to National Lottery funding for the ‘mega sum of money’ targeted.

He said: “In Owlbeech there is a lot of mud and water, so we are going to be putting in board walks for people to walk on.

“If we get £300,000 to do the whole lot it will be great and it will be improved in one go, but I don’t think that will happen. It is a mega sum of money.

“We look at it as a long term project and it could be a five year project or maybe longer, but it is all determined by funding.”

Mr Searle said any smaller grants achieved would go towards improving smaller areas of paving.

HTCP received a grant of more than £37,000 from Biffa last year.

Mr Searle said: “It is a fantastic achievement for us. A couple came up to us and wanted to know something about the walk, and they were from Carshalton - they heard of the Riverside Walk and wanted to come down to try the walk.

“It is a local amenity and people are out there using it - you see parents with their children, and dog walkers, and it gives you quite a buzz.

“If you want to do something after lunch on a Sunday, this is right on your doorstep.”

The circular walk follows the River Arun and other water courses around the town and links major green spaces such as Warnham Nature Reserve, Chesworth Farm, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods.

Along the route, newly designed signs with an easily recognisable logo have been installed to make it easier to follow, and six descriptive illustrated panels will give ideas of what to look for.

At HTCP’s annual general meeting last Wednesday (May 14), chair Jane Apostolou described the Riverside Walk as ‘improving and providing a wonderful facility for everyone living and visiting Horsham’.