RESIDENTS in a Tyne Valley village have had a vital bridleway reopened after it was temporarily closed due to building work.

Corbridge's Cow Lane to Milkwell Lane - a popular walking route - was lost when the development of the new Milkwell housing estate began.

It closed to enable the installation of a new entrance onto the site, as well as a new car park and drop off point for Corbridge Middle School.

Now, however, the bridleway, which links the village to The Kilns, is open again.

It comes after the new school car park work was completed, creating a much safer, spacious drop off area for pupils attending the school.

Corbridge Bottle Kilns, on Milkwell Lane, is a heritage site, which was home to Walker's Pottery from the early 19th century to 1910.

As there are few remaining examples of Tyne Valley rural pottery, the bottle kilns have Grade II listed status and are scheduled ancient monuments.

Coun. Nick Oliver, who represents Corbridge on Northumberland County Council, said: "Many local residents have been asking when the footpath will be restored and I have been liaising with the council rights of way officer, Tim Fish, who in turn has been working with Miller Homes and their contractors.

"It was good to be able to walk up there with the dogs at the weekend."

Work began on the controversial development, which is set to comprise 185 homes, in July last year.

As part of a protracted planning process, the widening of Cow Lane, to access the Milkwell Lane development, was scheduled.

This followed approval from the Government to allow Northumberland County Council to sell a strip of the playing field at the adjacent Corbridge Middle School to allow the narrow road to be widened.

Work to construct the new houses, which received outline planning permission in 2016, despite many objections from local residents, has been a major talking point in the village since the application was lodged to the council four years ago.

Funding was secured in May 2019 by Corbridge Parish Council from Northumberland County Council, as well as a loan approval from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to purchase three houses and one bungalow for the benefit of local people.

Speaking when work began, Coun. Oliver said: "There will be some community benefits, including a new car park and improved sports facilities for the middle school and much-needed affordable housing provision".

He added that the work would be safe, non-disruptive and would have many benefits for the local community.