Dead End campaign launched
A new Ramblers’ campaign names and shames England and Wales’ worst councils for footpath maintenance, to highlight the most serious crisis to face the network in decades. Ramblers campaigns officer Rachel Alcock warns of the threats from near-universal cuts to councils’ rights-of-way budgets and the introduction of prioritisation schemes, which will see many footpaths ignored entirely. “Scrimping on this essential community service will result in disrepair, blockages and impassable obstructions,” Rachel says. “Walking is for everyone. That’s why we’re calling on local residents to lobby their councils urgently.”
A map of footpath black spots shows that the worst councils included Worcestershire, North Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire, which plans to cut its on-the-ground work by a third.
To view the map and read more about the Dead End campaign, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/Campaigns+Policy/deadend
