Walkers call for footpath funding

Alison Parker said some footpaths were bordered by barbed wire

Walkers in Shropshire have called for more investment in maintaining the county's footpaths.

The Ramblers organisation has said visitors could be put off coming to Shropshire because of blocked paths.

In a letter to Shropshire Council the charity said a small increase in the funding of rights of way would benefit tourism and the local economy.

Trevor Allison, who wrote the letter, said it was time staff were adequately funded to meet legal responsibilities.

Mr Allison, spokesman for the Ramblers in Shropshire, said a footpath close to his home in Ruyton-XI-Towns was blocked by crops.

He added it was complicated and time consuming for council officers to clear a path.

Kevin Jones from Shropshire Council said his access enforcement team was building a landowner database to make it easier to contact those who own footpaths.

Mr Jones said if a path is blocked by crops it is the landowner's responsibility. However it would be up to Shropshire Council to remedy problems caused by grass or brambles.