BRIDGES have been repaired, footpaths surfaced, and stairs replaced as part of a £38,500 grant-funded scheme to improve Isle of Wight public footpaths and bridleways.

Work has included resurfacing or repairing more than 1,600m of public bridleway or footpath, a footbridge replacement, and the installation of new boardwalks/platforms and steps.

Find out where has been improved below.

Similar funding is expected to be available next year, with most of the projects to be carried out again by the IW Council’s Rights of Way team and will come from the IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership through its Access for All Fund.

Before and after: Public bridleway LG44 in Godshill (Image: Isle of Wight Council)

Works on the Isle of Wight have included the following projects:

Surfacing improvements on the popular public bridleway N108 (Dark Lane) on the outskirts of Carisbrooke.

Public bridleway LG44 at Godshill Park Farm, which forms part of the rural sections of the Red Squirrel Trail, has also seen surfacing improvements.

An improved multi-use bridge has been installed on public bridleway GL36/NC43 at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which provides a transport link to the rescue centre and access to the AONB.

Surfacing improvement works have been carried out on public footpath T22, allowing pedestrian access to the popular beaches at Alum Bay.

Public footpath V124 at Binnel Bay had challenging access down the eroding coastal slope, but beach access improvements have made the route easier to use.

Before and after: Bridge improvement at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Isle of Wight Council)

Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member responsible for rights of way, said: "We are very grateful to the IW AONB team and all our partners who have helped us to achieve these improvements.

"The results look wonderful, and I’m delighted we have been able to use sustainable materials where we can.”