In 2019 your parish council in Weston under Penyard committed to a Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Four years later we can now say that this huge project has been completed with the improvement of difficult areas, the addition of over 150 waymarker signs and the removal of most of the old stiles.
In our parish we are fortunate to have 14 miles of paths, and these are now much more accessible for the whole of the community. Most of the archaic wooden stiles have been swept aside and replaced by steel gates of an advanced design, which ensures that they cannot be left open, thereby providing the essential security for any livestock. The value to the community should not be underestimated, since stiles are regarded as the biggest obstacles to walking in the countryside for the elderly, those with mobility problems or those who simply want an easy going walk.
A total of 36 stiles have been replaced by new gates, sometimes partly financed by landowners, and kindly installed by the farmers in many cases. Overall, a total of 24 landowners have supported the project. Some stiles which remain can be easily avoided, using adjacent field gates. A few other stiles which are in reasonable condition are still in use, where landowners are not willing to accept gates.
The “Miles without Stiles” have opened the parish for walkers to undertake the best possible physical exercise whilst enjoying the beautiful countryside. Even better, it’s good for the soul. The complete network of rights of way is shown in the attached map. A larger version can be downloaded from the PC website, together with eleven fully detailed parish walks, and more. https://westonunderpenyard-pc.gov.uk/general-information/walking-in-the-parish/
The well-trodden paths are evidence that, since we started to remove the troublesome stiles, more people than ever are walking, with the bonus that the paths are clearer to see and follow. Even so, we still need to maintain and improve the paths and would encourage offers of help from residents to carry out tasks and keep the vegetation down. For small clearance jobs on the paths, residents can make use of our lightweight electric cutter.
If you like what you see, then please let the Parish Clerk know using the link on the website. Equally, if you see any problems with the footpaths, or you want to help in maintaining them, then please let the Clerk know.