New path improves access to beauty spot

A path leading to the Outwoods has been transformed thanks to a full-scale resurfacing project.

The path, which can be accessed from Nanpantan Road Cemetery car park, has been resurfaced with compacted stone to make it easier to use and more durable.

The work, funded by Charnwood Borough Council, is nearing completion and the new-look path – which is around 600 metres long – is now open for members of the public to use.

Cllr Anne Gray, the Council’s lead member for open spaces, said:

“We’re delighted to see this improvement almost completed and made 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.”

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."

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.

It is also part of the ancient Charnwood Forest and is the most easterly part of the National Forest.

Meanwhile, another path has also been resurfaced in similar style nearby, alongside the new woodland located near Nanpantan Road Cemetery.

The woodland was created by the planting of 7,000 trees in March, funded by a grant from the National Forest.