Help shape the future of outdoor recreation in Shropshire

Residents and visitors are encouraged to have their say on Shropshire’s countryside, parks and play areas by taking part in the council’s annual Outdoor Recreation User Survey.

Shropshire Council is responsible for nearly 3,500 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways, which are an important leisure resource for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as a providing a vital link to residents getting to and from home, work and school.

By completing the survey, you will help us review and update our Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which sets out our proposed aims, objectives and practical actions for increasing public use and enjoyment of the county’s public rights of way network until 2018.  We have made great improvements to access over the last five years, and we want to ensure that we do so for the next five years.

The key aims of the plan are to enhance health, well-being and enjoyment of life, increase economic prosperity, improve sustainable transport, provide access for all, and increase community involvement.  This ten-year plan plays a central role in how we improve our footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways in the future.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“Rights of way are an important asset to Shropshire’s communities.  They are a significant part of our county’s heritage and are a major recreational resource, boost tourism and our local rural economies, and provide a convenient means of travel for residents, as well as helping people keep active.

“It is therefore vitally important that we work together to maintain and improve them.  I urge everyone to get involved in our survey and give us their thoughts on how we can enhance outdoor recreation in Shropshire.”

The council also manages more than 130 parks, play areas, and country parks across the county, and the survey also asks for views about these areas too.  We work with local communities and consult widely in order to manage these sites for people, landscape and wildlife.  We are always looking for opportunities to improve their potential for play and quiet recreation, whilst also aiming to improve habitats, protect wildlife and preserve and enhance Shropshire’s landscape. 

Your views will help us to develop and improve the rights of way network as well as our countryside parks, sites and play areas, and help us identify key areas for maintenance and development.

To complete the short questionnaire go to the ‘Have your Say’ page at shropshire.gov.uk or click here.

Closing date for the survey is 31 March 2013.