A PROPOSAL for a heritage trail in Christchurch has been tabled by the town council.

Christchurch Town Council detailed plans for the ‘Heritage Walking Trail’ at its community committee meeting on January 10.

The trail is earmarked to go from Barrack Road Recreation Ground, through New Zealand gardens, Druitt Gardens, the Quomps and the Priory Gardens.

Information boards, maps and trail markers would feature along the route to highlight cultural, historic and natural heritage in the area.

An all-inclusive map would also be designed to promote features of the route, including eateries, the Regent Centre, location of benches, level of paths, public toilets and the library.

Christchurch Town Council suggest the trail would provide health and wellbeing benefits for residents and visitors, and offer a safe activity for older people, and those with chronic illnesses.

The BCP Age Friendly Community Network, consisting of 40 members from charities, care homes and palliative care are fully in support of the project, say the authority.

The proposed ‘Heritage Walking Trail’ was detailed in a meeting agenda to the town council’s community committee.

Members were advised the trail would include an arched entrance to Druitt Gardens, and 25 benches.

This would be achieved by adding and/or replacing older benches in the area that are experiencing “extensive rot problems”.

Christchurch Town Council initially had plans to replace 13 benches along Christchurch Quay at a cost of around £25K.

However, the mayor and town clerk were told that any project would not qualify for funding because it did not “meet and support BCP current strategies”.

They were told the plan needed to “develop into a more significantly sized project supporting strategic goals of BCP” in order to qualify for funding.

Acting town clerk James Atkinson said that at the community committee meeting on January 10, the town council gave authority for the works to happen on its assets.

While no public consultation is required, Christchurch Town Council said it will continue to work in conjunction with BCP to deliver the project, and stakeholders will be consulted throughout.