Author: chris bargman
New Gate
A new metal wicket gate has been installed of the road at the NE end of the route. Works well but is a bit difficult to reach the catch. Something we could look at improving. This route is a RUPP but has been closed by council for repairs. They are in process of improving the route on the common (badly damaged by 4x4s). Not a major problem as most horse riders tend to use a route avoiding the damage slightly to the N across the common which is OK.
Improvements
The council have moved the gate at the Nunnery end which is now much safer and easier to open. They have also done some drainage work but we will have to see how well this works. They have also put in a new gate at the north end of the path just up from the cattle grid (there was no gate there before but this is where the route should start). They have not cleared the route from this gate and it is not clear which way to go on the common. I have spoken to council about this. If they do not do anything we may need a work party to clear the route.
Now that this route and new gate has been put in we can look at the permissive route around the back of the green to join up with route J.
Damage to Route on Common
The route on Catherton Common has recently been damaged by log extraction machinery creating deep ruts but is still passable with care although not very nice on foot.
The landowner (Shropshire Wildlife Trust) and council are aware and are making plans to have the route made good. A site meeting was held by SWT and council byways officers and their plan is to temporarily re-route the path while it is so wet and then get the people who did the damage to repair the route when it is drier. We will have to wait and see what comes of this.
Major Improvement Works to Drainage
Work was done over 3 days to put in drainage to improve the area that has always been a problem towards the Prescott end of the path whenever it is wet. Stephen and John did most of the work with help from various others including myself, Pete, Arthur, Cyril, Clare. Funding for the digger work, stone and pipe was provided via the grant we received from the Cleobury Country pot of the Local Joint Committee (thanks to Clare for organising this) plus a match funding contribution from ourselves in labour and our own funds. We hope this work will show benefits to this important route in our area.
Promotion of Our Activities
A poster has been created to try to encourage more help/involvement from local riders with the theme “Your Bridleways Need You”. Click here for poster
We are also hoping to have an article in the Cleobury Clarion. The editor has been in-touch to see when we are next having a work party so he can take some pictures and put together an article.
Council Due To Start Work Soon
We have been told by the Coucil that they will do some work on this route very soon. The aim is to move the gate at bottom of Nunnery Lane further up the track away from the steep bank. They have also said they will do some drainage work here. This is needed as when we rode it yesterday water was running down the path even though it has been dry and I can see it getting very boggy if something is not done.
We expect that they will also put in a new gate onto the road past the cattle grid at the north end of the route and reinstate the official route which has disappeared. When this is done they will arrange the permissive route paperwork with the Shropshire Wildlife trust to join routes J and K without having to go on the road.
Drainage Work Completed
Some pics of the major drainage work completed at the bottom end of this route which used to be almost impassable. Thanks to the Council and the Parish Path Partnership Officer (Philip Betts) for getting this sorted at last. It looks like they have done a good job putting in a drainage pipe to take the water away right across the wet field leading into a ditch the other side of the field. An open ditch has also been dug up the wooded section of the route which hopefully will help and a drainage pipe put in under a wet bit at the top. All the new gates have been well hung and should be easy to open although they do use the style standard latches.
Gate leading onto Catherton Common from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Field. This was put in some time ago by the SWT to stop vehicles using the route and works very well.
Clearance Party
A group of us (John, Steve, Yvonne, Pete, Olwen, James, Gill, Clare, Arthur and myself) cleared this route. Great to see so many helpers but we always need more. We filled Steve’s large farm trailer with brashings (thanks Steve for bringing this with your tractor and taking it away).
The aim is to allow access by a mini digger so that we can dig some drains to hopefully make this route suitable even in wet weather which at the moment it is not.
Will update with further info when we have worked on the drainage.
The route is still OK to ride while it is still dry.
Route Update
Rode it today. Good route. 4 gates but all can be done from horse back. Starting from the Bridge by the River Rea go up field and go past the barn (to the right) to the top left of the field to find the gate. Sometime there is livestock/cattle in the field but never had a problem with them. Cross 2 more pasture fields then turn right into corn field. Some kind person has tied some string to this gate so you can shut it as you go through. Something we could perhaps do with some other routes.
Turn left down side of field then route is marked across the field about 15 yds down from gate. Usually this is kept clear of crop and route is obvious. Depending upon time of year you may come across hundreds of game birds in next field and down track. Luckily our horses were oblivious to them flying up out of the hedge under the horses legs! Enjoy.