Walking without stile

2:30pm Friday 18th July 2008

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LESS able walkers can now take to the hills thanks to a clear-thinking scheme by Herefordshire Council.

Two routes around Ledbury featuring “miles without stiles” have been completed.

Stiles have been replaced with gates on the routes around Cradley and Colwall, making them ideal for the less mobile or energetic.

The scheme is the first of the kind in Herefordshire, and has been part-funded by Natural England.

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for community services, hopes the idea will get more people into the countryside.

“We are keen for these two routes to be the first of many stile-free routes throughout the county,” he said.

“To encourage this, we will supply and fit any gates for free if they are replacing stiles on public footpaths.”

Landowners looking to replace stiles with gates on public footpaths should contact Vincent Playdon on 01432 383221.