New footpath improves walking access between villages
An event to mark the launch of a new local footpath giving direct walking access to two villages for the first time took place yesterday evening.
The new Hodnet to Marchamley footpath was made possible partly thanks to the dedication and efforts of the local footpath group.
Hodnet Footpath Group had worked with the Parish Council, the landowner and Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Recreation Team to create the footpath between the two villages.
Previously, there was no safe walking route between the two villages and people had to walk part of the way along a narrow sunken road. Concerns over safety, particularly of children, lead to the local people joining forces with the Parish Council, landowners and Shropshire Council to solve the problem.
The major project to improve walking access between the villages and was made possible thanks to funding from the sustainable transport fund.
The launch of the Hodnet to Marchamley footpath took place at the Marchamley end of the route and was officially opened by local councillor Karen Calder local member for Hodnet.
Councillor Calder said:
“This has been a really important project for the people of Hodnet and Marchamley. I think it’s heartening to see a community joining together like this for something that concerns them and working for the change they wanted for their area.”
Richard Underwood from the Hodnet Footpaths Group (HFG) added;
“I’m very pleased to see this project come to fruition. It’s the culmination of many years work by many people – much of it behind the scenes, and it essentially means walking between the villages is now much safer. Taking a wider view, it means HPC have fulfilled another of the commitments made in the Parish Plan and it has also helped to establish the HFG.”
“I am very grateful to all who have helped in bringing this path into being – and hope it will both be well used, and perhaps provide a role model for other similar projects. If anyone wishes to join the HFG they’d be very welcome, see www.hodnet.org.uk/fpg for more details.”
