FAMILIES have welcomed repairs to a footpath left water-logged and unpassable when it rained.

The footpath along Ladies Mile on Tabley Road became so boggy, parents said they had to step out onto the road.

Knutsford Town Council has now installed a compacted limestone path providing a solid surface for walkers and cyclists.

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Parents from Poppies Day Nursery who use the path regularly say the restoration has made a big difference.

One mum said: “Before, the path on rainy days, the journey was so boggy with tree roots a pram wouldn't go through.

“Parents needed to walk on the road itself, with cars passing by.

“Now my toddlers are safely zooming along the new path on bikes and stopping to chat to their friends on the way.

“It's really improved the way we get to nursery, from a safety point of view and socially.”

This upgrade project was the first to be delivered using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds.

The work was approved by the council’s CIL Projects advisory committee through which volunteer residents help make decisions on spending local funds raised from development.

The need to improve this path was raised in the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan process.

The project was promoted by the Town Council’s environment and transport committee and completed with permission of landowners, the Tatton Estate.

CIL funds are a form of development tax raised on most major residential extensions and new builds.

Some 25 per cent of the funds raised from CIL in Knutsford are passed to the Town Council to fund local projects whilst the balance is held by Cheshire East Council to fund borough-wide infrastructure.

So far, CIL has come from a number of small developments and the Town Council currently holds a CIL reserve of just over £23,000.

Two current major development sites at Northwich Road and Parkgate Lane were not subject to CIL due to being given outline approval before it was introduced in 2019.

However in future, major schemes are set to generate significant CIL for long-lasting community projects. This funding presents an opportunity to deliver a range of projects and the Town Council’s CIL framework sets out how it will use its share of this money to benefit the community.

Community organisations can apply for future CIL funds to support investment in community facilities.