{"id":3869,"date":"2019-05-30T09:48:29","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T09:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ramblerseastcheshire.org.uk\/blog\/?p=3869"},"modified":"2019-05-30T09:48:33","modified_gmt":"2019-05-30T09:48:33","slug":"the-work-of-the-east-cheshire-ramblers-footpaths-committee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ramblerseastcheshire.org.uk\/blog\/?p=3869","title":{"rendered":"THE WORK OF THE EAST CHESHIRE RAMBLERS FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

East Cheshire Ramblers ensure their footpaths are in good order<\/strong>The East Cheshire Group of the Ramblers is active in checking and inspecting the network of Public Rights of Way which exist across the splendid countryside in East Cheshire. There is a legal duty on the highway authority and on landowners to ensure that public footpaths are maintained in a walkable condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find a path in East Cheshire that is obstructed or want to report a fault to the Council go to the public rights of way page of the Cheshire East council web site – https:\/\/www.cheshireeast.gov.uk\/leisure,_culture_and_tourism\/public_rights_of_way\/public_rights_of_way.aspx<\/a> – where you will find a link to an online problem report form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If, after submitting this form, you do not get a satisfactory response, please report the problem to us using the link at the end of this article and we will follow it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

East Cheshire Ramblers\ncover an area of 33 parishes from Poynton in the north to Wincle in the south\nand, east to west, from Chelford to Rainow. \nThere are over 1270 paths which criss-cross the area and every path is\nsurveyed annually by our volunteer inspectors. By far the majority of\npaths  are in good order, thanks to the\nco-operation of the landowners and the tireless work of Cheshire East Council\nPublic Rights of Way (PROW) Unit. \nSometimes a path can be obstructed by a fallen tree, a newly erected\nfence or sometimes a stile or gate is damaged. Our inspectors report these\nfaults to the PROW Unit who ensure the fault is rectified promptly.  Some inspectors also fix yellow waymarking\nsigns to ensure walkers can keep to the correct line of the path. To cover such\na large area, over 40 of our members are inspectors and we are always on the\nlookout for more volunteers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, we have a\ngroup of volunteers who undertake more practical tasks such as cutting back\nvegetation, repairing stiles and improving the path surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is all this\nco-ordinated? Well, since 1986 East Cheshire Ramblers have organised a Footpaths\nCommittee who meet regularly to discuss the latest problems and the progress\nwith the annual path inspections. At this forum proposals for the legal\ndiversion of the rights of way are debated and comments made to Cheshire East\nCouncil. We look after the interests of all walkers and we will not agree to\nany proposal that significantly reduces the enjoyment of the path.  If necessary, but rarely, we will make a\nformal objection and argue our case at a Public Inquiry. In such cases we are\nable to draw on the legal expertise of the Ramblers Central Office in London.\nIf you enjoy walking, please join the Ramblers organisation and help to support\nthis vital work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some photographs to illustrate the group’s work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\nThe

The footpath goes under the bridge. This obstruction was reported by our footpaths inspector and Cheshire East Council ensured it was removed. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A

A memorial bench was installed some years ago by the East Cheshire Ramblers Group on the Ladybrook Valley Interest Trail in Poynton. Rest a While! <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"The

The path has been eroded by the stream over a number of years. A temporary diversion of the footpath has been implemented. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A

A fallen tree is blocking the footpath beyond the kissing gate. It is the responsibility of the landowner to remove the obstruction, but if they do not act then Cheshire East Council can remove the obstruction and charge the cost to the landowner. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"This

This has now been replaced by a kissing gate. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Our

Our footpaths inspector reported this problem and it was dealt with promptly by Cheshire East Council. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here are some links which will be useful to obtain further information on footpaths and rambling in our area<\/p>\n\n\n\n