The investment comes under the ‘Destination Darwen’ programme, which is delivering more than £3m worth of enhancements to the town’s parks, paths and open spaces. The first phase will focus on a 2km stretch of the main path through Sunnyhurst Woods, running from the entrance at Falcon Avenue up to Earnsdale Reservoir.
The works will include resurfacing the path to make it more accessible for all users, along with improvements to drainage, riverbank strengthening, and better access to key points within the woods such as the Band Stand and Ellis Gibson Pond.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has been working closely with the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods to shape the plans, and the project is set to begin imminently.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, said:
“This is a fantastic project that the Town Deal Board and the Council are proud to be delivering with the support of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods.
“The woods is a hugely popular spot with our residents and many visitors, and this new investment will help bring significant improvements to the main path that leads right up to Earnsdale Reservoir – a beautiful stretch.
“This is just the beginning too. We have plans to improve six key routes across our parks and open spaces, including the paths up to the Jubilee Tower, which the Town Deal helped to restore.”
Dougie Wright, Chair of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods, added:
“The investment that is coming into Sunnyhurst Woods is absolutely fantastic.
“The work that will be carried out will improve the wood for both the local and wider communities and ensure the fantastic green space that the wood represents is for the future.
“Improvements to the main path will allow better access to Earnsdale Reservoir where at the moment it is extremely difficult to navigate, especially for disabled and pram users.”
As part of the project, a number of trees will be removed to widen the path, protect future path surfaces from root damage, and help thin an overly dense tree canopy.
Temporary closures will be required in certain areas of the woods to allow the works to be carried out safely. These will be clearly signed, and diversions will be put in place.
The Olde England Kiosk, a Grade II listed building and popular wedding venue, will remain open as usual during the improvement works.
This scheme is one of several taking place under the Darwen Town Deal, which is also delivering improvements to Darwen Youth Centre, Darwen Market Hall, and plans for investment in Darwen Library and Library Theatre.
Together, these projects represent over £25m of new investment for the town centre, aiming to improve access, facilities and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
