Moves are afoot to improve access to two popular rights of way in Ledbury - the Town Trail and the medieval Packhorse Trail in Dog Hill Wood.

This follows concerns about the stability of the historic Packhorse Trail.

The town council has received complaints about the difficulty of walking up the steep slope to Green Lane, because the surface is gradually turning into scree and slipping down.

A site visit has taken place involving town clerk June McQuaid and Ledbury footpaths officer Mike Wood-bridge.

Mr Woodbridge said: "Work already undertaken includes about 100 yards of shallow stone steps and about 100 yards of hard surfacing. The rest of the path comprises a stony surface, loose in parts, which has been moving downwards over the years.

"The only feasible alleviation of the problem seemed to involve steps of some kind."

Mr Woodbridge said the present condition of the surface was unsatisfactory, although not dangerous.

The town council, which is only responsible for hedges on the side of the trail, is advising Hereford-shire Council's rights of way officer, Rob Hemblade, that engineering advice should be sought to make the path more stable and easier to climb.

One idea put forward is that old railway sleepers could be used as steps. Another is to install a handrail of some sort.

The town council and Mr Woodbridge are calling for another site visit to discuss the problems, with Mr Hemblade.

Plans are also been considered to make improvements to the Town Trail.

Herefordshire Council has published a document called Ledbury Trail Refurbishment and Improve-ments as part of a four-week consultation process, which started on Monday.

The Ledbury Area Cycle Forum helped prepare the document and is keen that it will become more user friendly for both cyclists and other users.

Those with views on the proposed enhancement of the Trail are asked to study the detailed document first, copies of which can be found in Ledbury Library, Ledbury Tourist Information Centre and the town council offices.

Comments and views should then be sent in writing to Colin Meneaud, at Herefordshire Council Parks and Countryside Services, PO Box 41, Leominster HR6 0ZA.