Walking and Public rights of way

Network Improvements

The most recent survey of the Boroughs rights of way network condition indicated that 75% of the network was easy to use (based on the spring 2009/010 survey for our Key Performance Indicator for Public Rights of Way).

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

As part of this work we have on a number of routes removed all of the existing step over stiles to improve the accessibility of these routes. Further information on these routes can be found on the Stile Free page.

Examples of some of our other work can be seen below.

Public footpath SL48 at Windmill Lane, Dorridge

As a joint project working with colleagues at Warwickshire County Council and a group of volunteers from A Coventry Way Association, a new bridge has been installed on a footpath at the Borough boundary. Previously the bridge had been missing making access along the path difficult with walkers having to take a longer alternative route off of the path. Working together on a snowy day in December, the new bridge was installed and way marker posts put in to make sure the route is more accessible and clearly signed.  

 

Public footpath M237 at Birmingham Road, Meriden

An old park style metal kissing gate which had fallen into disrepair has recently been restored on the footpath which links Birmingham Road to St. Laurence Church. The kissing gate has been repaired and repainted and will now provide safe and convenient access along this path for walkers for many years to come.

 

Creation of new permissive footpath at Hallmeadow Road, Balsall Common

A new footpath has been created at Balsall Common to provide a link into the existing public footpath network from Hallmeadow Road and the nearby Lavender Hall Park. The new route passes through a wooded area before linking into a network of footpaths which provide opportunities for exploring the surrounding countryside. One of the priorities of the Solihull Rights of Way Improvement Plan is to ratify and improve linkages on the network to take account of current and future demands.

 

Public footpath M214 at Berkswell Church, Berkswell

The existing boardwalk at Berkswell has been extended to bridge the wet and boggy area behind the church. The new full boardwalk provides a significant improvement to this path allowing access throughout the year to this popular route.

 

Public footpath M130 at Bickenhill Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes

A series of improvements have been made on this popular route to improve access on the first section of this path where it crosses the Green. A new boardwalk has been installed, along with a new kissing gate and resurfaced section of path. The installation of this final kissing gate means that this is now a stile free route which links Catherine-de-Barnes with Elmdon Heath at Damson Park Way.

 

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.

 

 

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.