PLANS have been unveiled by leisure chiefs for a bridge that should help to unlock a Burnley beauty spot.

Council engineers are looking to create a link from Netherwood Road to the Brun Valley Forest Park, over the River Brun, to give walkers, riders and cyclists improved access to the former Rowley landfill site.

The Forestry Commission has weighed in with grants totalling £110,000 for Burnley Council and Lancashire County Council, backing the initiative.

And additional funding has come from the Lancashire Environment Fund, through Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, and the Ribble Rivers Trust, to enable the project to become a reality.

Coun John Harbour, cabinet member for leisure and culture, welcomed the next phase of the forest park improvements in a council report.

He added: “The council’s engineers have prepared initial designs for the new bridge that will provide access across the River Brun for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, and are consulting with colleagues in Lancashire County Council and the Environment Agency.

“The new bridge will open up access from Netherwood Road to the new routes across the former Rowley landfill site.” Work on the resurfacing of Rowley Lane and part of Netherwood Road is due to be completed by the end of this month.

New height barriers are also being installed on Rowley Lane car park, which should see the site reopened in the near future.

The original plans by Groundwork for the nature haven also included the establishment of a wildflower meadow and woodland reorganisation.

Earlier this year, Territorial Army soldiers were helped by youngsters on a Prince’s Trust course to fashion a 120-metre looped track that would be suitable for mountain and BMX bikes.