Creative Consultation

New off-road greenways are using disused railtracks to link communities across Pennine Lancashire.

Mid Pennine Arts is collaborating with the Lancashire County Council and we have been organising events to consult with local people and invite their input on how the routes are developed.  MPA’s aim is to animate the sessions with creative activities.

So far we’ve held a number of events to encourage people to share their points of view on what they would like to see happen. Creative practitioner, Shonagh Ingram, has taken the giant map to schools and community groups which helped facilitate discussions about their hopes, and fears, for the proposed plans.  We’ve worked with schools and community groups on design ideas, and led poetry and artist workshops on the greenways.

In Whitworth, artist collective Glassball, visited the pub, a residential home, the museum and other public spaces to inform and engage people with the plans and record their Whitworth Stories.

The Spodden Valley Explorers and the Greenway Explorers have been popping up at events to engage, inform and entertain.

We’ve also arranged celebrations for newly refurbished sections of the Greenways.

You can see some of this activity in the films below.

Work on the Greenways stalled during 2020/2021 due to the pandemic, but is now starting up again as we look towards the completion of the routes. Look out for future opportunities to learn more about the Greenways. MPA is delighted to be collaborating on this long-term vision for sustainable transport.  As they develop, we aim to introduce a creative dimension to these brilliant future facilities for walkers, cyclists and riders of all ages and abilities.  If you want to get involved in The Scenic Route or have an interest in the development of the routes, we would love to hear from you.  Contact Nick Hunt or Shonagh Ingram at MPA.

The Scenic Route is made possible by support from Arts Council England, through Grants for the Arts, and from Lancashire County Council.