East Cheshire: East Cheshire Ramblers has completed its annual survey of virtually all public footpaths and bridleways in the county and found only 4% of the 1,251 paths inspected were obstructed – a slight improvement on last year. All obstructions were, of course, reported to the council rights of way team for action, with some work undertaken by Ramblers volunteers (above).
Lambeth, London: After a successful campaign by Ramblers nationally and locally, Lambeth Council has instructed its officers to report back on progress for a definitive map of the borough’s public rights of way, which will provide legal protection for them in perpetuity. Inner London Ramblers is confident the map will soon become a reality.
Erewash, Derbyshire: Local Ramblers volunteers have been working with the county council clearing several paths, replacing stiles with more accessible wicket gates, and planting saplings.
Walsall, West Midlands: Walsall Ramblers has succeeded in preventing the installation of a 67-metre high wind turbine on precious green belt land just outside the town. Joining forces with a local residents’ group, they ensured the planning application was rejected by the council in 2011. It then went to appeal, which the Planning Inspectorate subsequently dismissed earlier this year.
Wellington, Shropshire: Telford & East Shropshire Ramblers set up a footpath maintenance team to tackle an overgrown hedge blocking a path beside Wrekin Golf Course.
Bodenham, Herefordshire: A footpath that was due to be extinguished, after a house was unlawfully built on it, has
been saved after campaigning by Herefordshire Ramblers, the Malvern
Hills District Footpath Society and the Open Spaces Society.