THIS weekend is the Countryfile Ramble weekend – and footpath warden Geoff Settle is urging local people to use Warrington footpaths for the challenge if they haven’t signed up for an organised event.
Geoff, footpath warden for the parish of Poulton-with-Fearnhead, fears that with all the housing development taking place in Warrington, many paths not on the Ordnance Survey definitive footpaths map could be under threat.
He said: “The Countryfile even for BBC Children in Need is a great excuse for getting out and about, enjoying our local footpaths and getting some fresh air and exercise.
“I have been a footpath warden for almost two decades and, like many people, thoroughly enjoy walking and relaxing, following the green signs across the borough.”
Geoff said there were two types of footpath – those on the OS definitive maps which were maintained and protected and those man-made by people walking them day after day which don’t have Right of Way status.
For them to be considered for definitive status they have to be walked, cycled or horse ridden for more than 20 years – and verified by the testimony of the people who have used them.
“Your local footpath warden – and there are approximately 24 of them – can help you gather the evidence required and submit it to the Rights of Way Officer (RoW).
Although Warrington Borough Council doesn’t currently have a RoW officer, Geoff believes the council is advertising for one.
He has collected evidence from people who have used a man-made path on Peel Hall and started the process for one alongside Cinnamon Brook and hopes that this will result in another two paths on the definitive map.
Anyone who wants routes in mind for the definitive map should enter details on the Rights of Way Forum Facebook page, describing the route with a grid reference or Google Map and Geoff will start the process off.
“I’m concerned that with the amount of development outlined in the Warrington Draft Local Plan, the opportunity to save potential footpaths and their habitats will be lost,” he said.
He has also asked that ramblers who spot any damage or other issues on public footpaths should report them using the Warrington Rights of Way Forum Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Warrington-Rights-of-Way-Forum-411639655698624/
Walk the local footpaths – to help preserve them
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