Plans to revitalise a forgotten footpath are set to receive a boost in the new year with the introduction of new signage.
The Boudicca Way, which runs from Norwich to the Norfolk-Suffolk border at Diss, was first established 10 years ago, but failed to take off.
Now the 38-mile route is set to become clearer for walkers with the introduction of dozens of new signposts to make it easier for tourists to follow.
Over the next two months, 48 new finger signs and 28 waymarker signs will be installed along the route, which is currently only achievable for experienced walkers equipped with a map. The project comes after the walkway was granted �50,000 earlier this year from the Waveney Local Action Group, funded by the Rural Development Programme for England.
B&B owner Steve Falvey, of Pulham Market, who is coordinating the initiative, said the aim was to make the path less confusing for tourists and for the Boudicca Way to become a well-established Norfolk route like the Angles Way, Weavers' Way and Wherryman's Way.
'If you are an experienced walker and have a map, you are fine, but if you want to go for a stroll and follow waymarkers it would be a bit of a job at the moment. This is about making it easier for people to follow the route. The new Boudicca Way finger posts and waymarkers are nice and fresh and easy to follow,' he said. The footpath, named after the Iceni warrior queen of East Anglia, runs between Norwich and Diss railway stations, passing through the villages of Caistor St Edmund, Shotesham, Tasburgh, Pulham Market and Scole.
Mr Falvey added that a new website will be launched by the end of February and about 30 local businesses have already joined a Boudicca Way network to boost tourism in 2011.
'In the big scheme of long distance walks, it is relatively short, which is quite nice because it is achievable for the normal person in two to three days. The green tourism element will also be a fairly significant part of the market,' he said.
Mr Falvey added that there were plans to get involved in geocaching, the 21st century treasure hunt, where people use GPS devices to hide and locate caches across the countryside.
'It is early days, but it is going really well and there has been a really positive response. We are keen to establish a network of businesses and it is not just about tourist businesses,' he said.
For more information, visit www.boudiccaway.co.uk, call 07817 098784 or email info@boudiccaway.co.uk.
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