Walking and Public rights of way

Network Improvements

The most recent survey of the Boroughs rights of way network condition indicated that 67% of the network was easy to use (based on the spring 2007/08 survey for Best Value Performance Indicator 178).

The Authority continues to work towards improving the accessibility of routes for all, and has throughout the last year been working with users, landowners and volunteer groups to identify and resolve issues on the network

Examples some of our work can be seen below.

Public footpath M149 at Balsall Street, Balsall Common

Work continues across the borough to improve the accessibility of the network. So far this year over 20 stiles have been replaced across the network with either gates or gaps to improve accessibility. This photo shows one such new kissing gate, which was installed on a footpath at Balsall Common.

 

 

Public footpath M135A at Bradnocks Marsh Lane - vegetation clearance across the borough

Throughout the summer months the council works to ensure that the public footpaths in the borough are clear of vegetation. This can be both in the form of side growth, from adjacent hedgerows as well as from the surface of the path itself.

The photos here show an illustration of sidegrowth from an adjacent hedge, which has been allowed to grow over and obstruct a footpath. In this instance it is the resident who is the owner of the hedges responsibility to ensure that it is maintained and does not obstruct the path.

The second photo shows the path once the hedge had been cut back by the resident. This allowed us to strim the surface vegetation and bring the path back into a suitable condition.

 

 

 

Ravenshaw Ford at Ravenshaw Lane, Solihull

Working with a local volunteer group and supported by local residents, a series of works were undertaken on this popular route which links Solihull Bypass with Hampton Lane. Work was undertaken on the surface of the route, restriction barriers and adjacent vegetation to clear and improve the accessibility of this path.

 

 

Public footpath M235 at Berkswell Road, Meriden

Volunteers from the A Coventry Way Association replaced three stiles on pasture land with metal kissing gates to improve accessibility on this route which runs from Meriden out towards the village of Berkswell. The council continues to operate an active programme of removing stiles and where appropriate replacing them with kissing gates.

There is still a lot of work to do to improve the network further and make all of the routes accessible throughout the year. If you encounter a problem whilst out on the network please feel free to report it to the Rights of way officer.