Council News

12 September 2008

Coedpoeth Footpath Project

The community of Coedpoeth has been working with Wrexham County Borough Council over the last 12 months to improve the network of footpaths within their area.

Local footpath volunteers including Jeanette Blackford, Pat Murray, Ben Jones, George Williams, Stephen Taylor, Barry Rogers, Moira Humphreys and Jackie Crosby surveyed the public rights of way in Coedpoeth and parts of Minera last year and put together a report on the state of the paths. A schedule of the work required was drawn up and contractors are now finishing off the various jobs. New gates, stiles and bridges have been erected and several hundred metres of overgrown vegetation has been cleared. A new circular walk featuring some of the improved paths is being prepared.

The project is being funded by Wrexham Council and the Countryside Council for Wales on a 50/50 basis. Groundwork Wrexham and Flintshire is managing the work on the ground and ensuring that the funding is spent wisely.

The Council’s aim is to open up all the paths to a safe condition and to promote their use. The volunteers will walk the footpaths at least once a year and cut back any annual vegetation that starts to cover the stiles. They will report any bigger problems to the Council, which has promised to give priority to such matters providing that resources allow. This should all keep the paths open and in a good condition for many years to come.

Cllr David Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport said:

"Walking is a healthy way to keep fit and also allows us to enjoy the beautiful countryside that we in Wrexham are very fortunate to be surrounded by. There has been a lot of work undertaken to ensure that the area's public rights of way are in a good condition and can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for many years."

It is hoped that walks from the village organised by Walkabout Wrexham and led by volunteers will become a regular feature. Anyone interested in the project or the walks should contact Alison Whitley on 01978 297194 or Groundwork on 01978 757524.