IT is excellent news that the Government has now recognised the importance of walking and cycling and has increased capital resources.

It is equally good news that Herefordshire Council has embraced this policy in its Transport Strategy.

Recently the pandemic has showed all of us the enormous value of our local footpaths and bridleways.

How disappointing therefore to discover that while the council trumpets its active travel policies the reality on the ground is very different.

Currently a whopping 65 footpaths in Herefordshire are closed, 40 of them because of damaged bridges.

This surely puts Herefordshire at the top of the English Premier League for path closures.

Who is to blame? Balfour Beatty is the council's contractor but it is the council which has legal responsibility.

So what is to be done? First, bring back the rights of way service in-house so there is proper accountability.

Secondly provide far better support to volunteers like the Ramblers.

In the good old days Herefordshire Council would liaise with landowners and deliver materials to site.

These days we have to do that ourselves. Thirdly increase the capital resources for bridge repairs.

These are just the first steps to providing the public service we all need.

Arthur Lee

Chair, Hereford Ramblers

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