John Lamont MP has said the Scottish Borders is lucky to host the end of the Pennine Way and is calling for fair funding for the National Trail.
The Borders MP has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove MP to emphasise the contribution made by the Pennine Way and urge the department to provide adequate long term funding to secure its future.
The 268 mile Pennine Way links the Peak District to the Scottish Borders. Around 15 miles of this is in Scotland, ending in Yetholm. The Pennine Way was the first National Trail to be opened, over 50 years ago, but is now at risk from funding cuts.
The Border Hotel in Kirk Yetholm (the official end point of the Pennine Way) and the Cocklawfoot Farm B&B (which provides one of the only overnight accommodation options on the last leg) are just two of the businesses in the Scottish Borders that rely heavily on the Pennine Way.
John Lamont MP (Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk) said: “The Pennine Way contributes greatly to local economies across its 268 mile route.
“With more than 350,000 visits to the trail each year, the Pennine Way is a major draw of tourists. We are lucky to host the official end point of the route in the Scottish Borders.
“A really dedicated group are tasked with the maintenance and marketing of the trail but they need funding in order to provide a world class walking route and continue to bring visitors in.
“Walkers contribute significantly to many businesses in the Borders - which is why I’ve called on the UK Government to make sure we put in place a secure funding deal for the route.
Nick Osborne, Chair of the Pennine National Trails Partnership added:
“The Pennine Way provides high quality access to some of our finest countryside. Without secure funding the maintenance of the trail will diminish and visitors are likely to go elsewhere.
“Funding from the government is only part of the picture; we hope to increase the amount we raise through donations and merchandise sales, such as our official Pennine Way beers, over the coming months and years.”