LIVERPOOL RAMBLERS
Defending our network of public footpaths is one of the most important tasks undertaken by Ramblers, ensuring that you can continue to walk the paths that have been trodden by countless generations, There are many aspects to this, such as maintaining your legal rights to walk on these footpaths, and ensuring that they are safe and are not obstructed or needlessly diverted. You can help us in at least three ways, by becoming a Mystery Rambler, by reporting footpath problems, and by joining Ramblers.
By volunteering to become a Mystery Rambler you can help us maintain this priceless heritage for others to enjoy as we all do now. All that is required is to walk on a short section of footpath, and report the problems you find. This initiative is primarily targetted on people walking paths in their local area, but I am sure that walkers from cities like ours with few local paths would be welcome to report on paths in their usual walking areas. So if you walk in other areas, you could help out there. To find out more and perhaps volunteer, check this out
You can also help by letting us know about footpath problems. If you're out walking and find your path obstructed or experienced problems such as broken stiles, overgrown paths, or have been physically prevented from walking on a public footpath, then let us and the highway authority know about it. Record the details sufficiently to identify the path where the problem occured and complete this form
If walking in the country means as much as it does to us, help to ensure that we can all continue to enjoy this healthy and enriching activity by joining us in Ramblers. You can read more about our work on the Ramblers web site, and how to join us here
Despite its size, because of its urban nature, Liverpool has few footpath issues, apart from alleygating, which has reduced in level because of the current cutbacks
One of these few issues concerns a path between Aspes Road and Thornhead Lane in Huyton. If anyone has any objections to the closure of this path they should write to the City Solicitors, Municipal Buildings, Dale St, L2 2DH. We would be grateful if you could let us know of your concerns, using the contact form accessed from the menu at the top of this page.
To find out more about about this path download these three files from the council.
or this document from our local ramblers footpath protection officer.
In May there was a piece in the local media indicating that work had started on the scheme, which when complete, will create a good new network of paths and opportunities for walkers to connect routes from the site to Stadt Moers Park (Whiston, Tarbock and other parts of Knowsley. Indications were that Phase One would be completed by the end of this year. The scheme is being promoted by the Land Trust (a charity) and when I rang them recently I was shocked to discover that the scheme was on hold. This fact does not appear to be connected to government/council budget cuts but I am awaiting further information.
As indicated in last year's report, I have done away with the early evening (5.30pm) short rambles programme and substituted it with a mixed bag of afternoon, Sunday and walks starting at 6.30pm. Overall this change in my view has been for the better and it would seem in particular that there is a demand for Sunday walks where participants do not have to go on a long coach journey. The Tarbock Trail will be a part of this year's Festival of Winter Walks (Friday 30th December with the start at 11am) and I am planning to do a Kirkby to Huyton ramble on the extra bank holiday next year (Tuesday 5th June).
Early this year Bernie Maloney left the service of Knowsley Borough Council under a "voluntary severance" arrangement. I would like to thank Bernie for all the help he has given me over the last few years. Another casualty has been the Knowsley Walking Day which for some years past has taken place in the autumn. On the positive side, the council's ranger service remains intact (unlike Liverpool's) and walking groups based at Stadt Moers park and Halewood Visitor Centre are still active.
Despite a reminder being sent to council staff, I am still awaiting information on the status of a path near Lee Park golf course and paths across fields between Finch Lane and Lower Road.
This has been the subject of a national campaign by Ramblers. At first I did not see the relevance of this to Knowsley. However, there are many small wooded areas within the borough some of which we go through on our walks e.g. Syders Grove in Knowsley Village and Pex Hill in Cronton. The difficulty with the national debate has been that it has revolved around the government's previous plan to abolish the Forestry Commission. In reality the Commission owns only a small proportion of forests in the country.
Knowsley Borough Council continues to send the relevant notices. None have involved routes which may affect the enjoyment of leisure walkers.
Funding has been obtained for this. It should lead to route improvements and extra paths in the town centre/Millenium Park area.
I would welcome any comments or questions either concerning items in this report or on other footpath issues in Knowsley. My phone numbers are 0151 738 1168 (home) and 07833590525 (mobile). You can email me at davejdent@aol.com. and find me on Facebook. Alternatively you can write to me at 14 Tithebarn Grove, Liverpool, L15 6TG.
You can download this report as a