The Keswick to Barrow committee has been busy this past week as preparations for the 2020 event are now underway.

They received training in traffic management which is vital knowledge for keeping participants safe and give the best experience possible.

The training was undertaken by a Barrow based company and the committee enjoyed the hands on training.

Committee member Ian Walmsley has given us his account of what happened on the course:

On Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27, ten members of the Keswick to Barrow walk committee headed for Phoenix Business Centre in Barrow for Traffic Management training.

This is part of our on-going drive to improve the walk experience and further the aim of keeping all walkers and spectators safe during the event.

The day was organised and delivered by Barrow Training Partnership's Cumbria Construction Training and consisted of a morning’s training on the theories of safe signing, lighting and guarding; a practical test on safely establishing a controlled traffic flow and finally a written test.

There were additional questions included for team supervisors which Dave Thompson ploughed through in great style.

All-in-all, a thorough grounding in operating safely in traffic and ensuring that no harm comes to either traffic or pedestrians.

What we got from this course will now be applied into improving and running next year’s event, how we operate the event and control and manage our vehicles.

Many thanks to Cheryl and Mark from BTP who, on top of the training, have generously sponsored new high-visibility bibs for all the Committee who are out on the road during the event.

This is very much appreciated and should form a part of an on-going relationship.

Finally, a word of thanks to all the team at Phoenix Business Centre who kept the teams supplied with much-needed tea and biscuits throughout the day.