Long Itchington Footpaths and Bridleways
April 2, 2008
As with several other parishes in South Warwickshire, we are considering taking the decision to manage our footpaths and bridleways via the P3 partnership. This means that a local group led by Lynne and Russ Fowler, will become responsible for the mapping and maintenance of most of the parish paths. Warwickshire County Council provides the funding for the essential repairs, maintenance and public awareness, but we use a local contractor to effect the repairs and some maintenance. Some maintenance is undertaken by the P3 group itself, so we need more volunteer helpers.
We are learning that like most local authority matters, the issues of footpaths are complicated and the P3 group will not be able to address all the problems that may arise.
Perhaps the most used footpath in the village, the one that runs through the allotments behind the Co-op is tarmac and hence remains the responsibility of Warwickshire Highways Department, as are old minor county road links between paths. Some of the village footpaths in the direction of Birdingbury are dead end paths, trying to join them up remains the responsibility of Warwickshire County Council as do enforcement matters, where landowners close or obstruct footpaths. Repairs to the Sustrans path on the old railway line also have to be tackled separately.
Other issues (outside of P3) include trying to improve safety in the village by identifying potential new permissive or dedicated footpaths.
If you walk our footpaths or ride our bridleways, please help us….. even if you can offer only a small amount of help please come and join us.
Use them or lose them? If you use them please help us keep them.
Contact Lynne or Russ Fowler on (tel: 810774)