Plans for a new £1.25million cycle path along the Solway Coast are gathering pace after a firm was chosen to build it.

Allerdale Council has appointed an as-yet-unnamed contractor to build the 14.1km ‘Solway Coaster’ cycleway between Allonby and Silloth.

The project would connect with the Hadrian’s Cycleway which runs from Ravenglass to South Shields in Tyne and Wear and was developed by the Silloth-on-Solway Coastal Community Team (CCT).

Councillor Alan Pitcher said: “Members are aware of this project which has previously been agreed and the council are delivering on behalf of the CCT.

“This will help attract visitors to the area, raise the profile of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and promote healthy activities to residents.

“Following a tender process, during which 13 tenders were submitted, and an evaluation considering price value and social value in the report, it is proposed to award the contract to Tenderer G.”

The CCT secured £1m from the Department for Communities and Local Government’s coastal communities fund and £250,000 from DEFRA’s rural development programme for England, which is part of the European agricultural fund for rural development.

Councillor Tony Markley, who seconded Coun Pitcher’s move to approve the appointment at a virtual meeting of the council's executive this week, said: “I’m really pleased that this has now come to fruition.

“It’s been a long time coming and I think welcome for the tourism aspect between Silloth and Allonby which will connect up to the Allonby to Maryport cycle path and make a fantastic tourism attraction to help the economy for the west coast.”