Better footpaths – how have they helped?

Has replacing stiles with gaps or new gates meant you now walk on paths you didn’t use before?

Leicestershire County Council wants to hear about where better local footpaths have had an impact on people’s lives. The best story will win a prize.

The Council has recently made some footpaths easier to use. Difficult stiles have been replaced by gaps in fences or new kissing gates. Some muddy paths now have tarmac or crushed stone surfaces and several have seen street lights installed.

Now the Council wants people to tell them how this has helped people, and if there are footpaths that people now walk, which they didn’t use before. The best story will win a free season ticket for car parking at country parks like Beacon Hill, Bosworth or Watermead. Good stories will be used in future publicity and help the planning of further projects.

“We know people value and use local paths, particularly after improvement work, but we want to hear about where and how it’s made a real difference.” said Ernie White, Cabinet Lead Member for Community Services. “Creating better paths where people live is part of the County Council’s strategy for healthier communities by encouraging everyone to walk more and use cars less. The new gates help anyone who struggles with steps on stiles and make it easier for walkers, families with smaller children, the elderly, the less mobile, and dog walkers".

Entries should contain a few short paragraphs, up to 500 words, and should arrive no later than Monday 18 August.

Please also include:

Entries can be sent using our online form,

or emailed to footpaths@leics.gov.uk

or sent by post to: ‘Better Paths’, Countryside Service, Community Services Department, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8TE

Please use the Report Problem Form for any difficulties on paths.