A – Hardwick – Hinton – Clee View Bridleways Group

Update and Work Parties

Many thanks to John and Ted who have cleared Route A (Hinton- Winterdyne) with the mower and this is now much easier to use. It does now need a work party to cut back the overhanging branches.

Chris has cleared some of the overhanging branches on Route F.

We are still waiting for the council to come back to us regarding a number of issues we have raised with them. We will keep chasing them.

We will arrange work parties in the next couple of weeks to clear the overhanging branches on Route A (Hinton – Winterdyne) and also to clear brambles and overhanging branches on Route M (Walters Lane – Hill Houses). Routes J and K (Back of the Mounts and across the common) would also benefit from some clearance work.

Please let John or Chris know if you do any bridleway clearance work as we can book the hours to show the council the work we are doing on their behalf!

Crammer Gutter and Plans For Work Parties

Crammer Gutter – We have had a couple of incidents reported where riders have tried to use the route across the top of the field and had difficulty getting out of the boggy ground. This is potentially dangerous and so we have contacted the Wildlife Trust to re-visit what we can do to improve the route. Chris has meet with Clive Dean from SWT (Reserves Manager) to discuss this. We agreed that the Clee View Bridleways Group will write to the council as it is the council who are responsible for “ensuring that the surface is in a fit condition for its intended use” and it is not the landowner. We will state that we intend to make improvements to make the route safe and useable following the plan agreed with SWT in 2017. This will involve a series of cross drains to take water from the ditch at the top of the field under the path and release the water onto the field (the aim is to keep the field wet). We will also ask for support from the council with materials (drainage pipes and stone). As this is an SSI, Natural England will have to give approval for the work (which should be sought by the council). To back this up, can anyone who has tried to use the route in the last few months and had difficulties please notify the council at https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/outdoor-partnerships/report-a-rights-of-way-issue-and-feedback/

Work Parties – We need work parties as a matter of urgency to clear the Keepers Cottage (R) and Hinton (A) routes. The Keepers Cottage route will also need some improvement work where the ground has been eroded. A site visit will be arranged. A site visit will also be arranged to look at the Detton (C) route at the brook to see how we can unblock the pipes.

Please let us know if you have any preferences for when to hold the work parties (ie. evening, weekday, etc?)

Route A – Hinton – Winterdyne

I have managed to cut back most of the overhanging branches and brambles. If anyone can spare some time some of the cuttings could do with clearing from the path where I ran out of time (won’t take long as most of the clearance is now done). It is a lovely route joining 2 very quiet lanes and well worthwhile keeping useable.

Work party 11 July 6pm – Hinton Route A

If not pouring with rain work party 6pm Tuesday 11th July to clear overhanging branches/brambles. I will be at Hardwick Forge end. Chris

Proposal for Work Party – Route A

Proposed work party to clear the Hinton – Winterdyne bridleway (route A) which has got badly overgrown.

John and Ted have used the mower but there are overhanging branches and brambles that need cutting back.

Proposed dates either Tuesday 11th July or Thursday 13th July early evening (6pm). Let us know if you can help on either of these days.

Good News and Work Parties

We have had a positive response from Council regarding materials for Factory Lane (D) improvements. They have said they will supply some 12″ pipe and also stone . They will also get back to us regarding the other issues raised although it sounds like they are looking for a new rights of way officer for our area.

John, Steve and Ted have managed to clear the fallen trees from Hinton (A). Digger and dumper were needed to be able to remove the larger trees. Many thanks to them for their hard work. Some general clearance work was also started (thanks to Matilda) but further work is needed.

We don’t seem to be able to get many helpers. Maybe weekend mornings are not suitable. There are a number of routes that need some clearance work and many hands gets the work done quickly.

Please can you let us know if a weekday early evening might be better for you or any other preferences. Alternatively if you do have some time to do some work on your own just let us know. Thanks.