£20,000 facelift boost to relieve flooding on a popular bridleway near Stafford
A popular bridle path near Stafford has been resurfaced as part of a £20,000 flood alleviation scheme.
The 492-foot section of Public Bridleway No. 20 in Lapley, Stretton, and Wheaton Aston is used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders all year round. Now it has been upgraded under the Staffordshire County Council Rights of Way improvement scheme become difficult to use due to frequent flooding, cutting off access to Mottey Meadows National Nature Reserve.
The issue was caused by the path lying below the surrounding fields resulting in flooding along the track.
To tackle the problem, the county council worked closely with the landowner to pump away surface water, resurface the path and raise it to match the level of the adjacent land to the relief of people in the area.
Path user Simon Wheway, from Wheaton Aston, said: "We are spoiled by the number of public rights of way nearby, which provide fantastic routes for walking and horse riding that benefit both physical and mental wellbeing.
“For months, one of the main bridleways leading to westbound paths was completely flooded, cutting off access to miles of countryside routes. I'm so grateful to the county council for fixing the path. They're now all useable without getting wet."
Sarah Bentley, Staffordshire County Council’s Head of Environment and Countryside, said: “Staffordshire’s countryside is there for everyone to enjoy, and improving access to these special places is a priority for us.
“By resurfacing this bridleway and tackling the long-standing flooding issues, we’re making sure that walkers, cyclists, and horse riders can continue to explore and appreciate the beauty of Mottey Meadows and the surrounding landscape.
“It’s fantastic to see so many people already benefiting from these improvements.”
