PART of a popular walking route in the Allen Valleys is set to be re-routed due to river bank erosion.

Named after Mohope-born tea trader Isaac Holden, the 36-mile Isaac’s Tea Trail offers a picturesque route through the North Pennines.

But a 50-metre stretch of the route, along the banks of the River Allen between Thornley Gate and Oakpool, near Allendale, has become impassable.

Now a recommendation to re-route the path on to neighbouring agricultural land and woodland has been approved by Northumberland County Council’s rights of way committee.

The committee heard that one of two landowners involved is opposed to the move, raising concerns that it may affect shooting rights on the land.

However, the committee ruled in favour of a public path creation order for the 50-metre stretch to be re-routed.

Chairing the meeting, Coun. Dougie Watkin said the landowner would have a right to claim compensation.

He added: “It is a very popular recreational route and it does form part of the promoted Isaac’s Tea Trail.

“We have negotiated with landowners. One of them is perfectly accepting of what we are proposing.

“The other has concerns about how this would affect shooting activities in the woodland.

“We are looking to use our compulsory powers to do this. The recommendation is that there is a need for this footpath.”

A report prepared for the committee by county council officers, said: “Officers do not believe that the creation of a public footpath is incompatible with the landowner’s existing shooting rights.

“We believe that the two activities can co-exist on the occasions where shooting takes place, and the landowner is following established good practice.”

The officers’ report stressed that the newly-created footpath would only be 50-metres long, and would be an extension of an existing footpath through the landowner’s woodland.

It added: “A combination of river bank erosion and ground slippage on the side of the bank has made the route uneven, boggy and unsafe.

“Part of the path has ceased to exist due to river erosion and there is no through route on the line of the (existing) public right of way.”