Footpath Report – Annual Survey December 2019 & January 2020

The Annual Footpath Survey was undertaken over three days, Sunday 29th December,Sunday 5th January and Monday 13th January, covering a total of 20.6 miles. This was not a good time to check the paths as it followed heavy rainfalls and flooding. The walking made worse because on the first day I chose walking boots and gaiters rather than wellington boots! Wellington boots have been used since!

Footpath HO1

As mentioned last month the signs for the temporary path HO1 through Hereford Point have all either faded or disappeared.

HO1 Still closed at Roman Rd on 05.01.20

HO1 at Ayles Brook bridge - houses now up to the bridge on 05.01.20. path blocked off. — HO1 at Ayles Brook bridge – houses now up to the bridge on 05.01.20. path blocked off.

HO1 stile at SO 500 425 –looking towards Hereford Point. All path closure signs had disappeared as at 05.01.20

HO1 original line blocked off by temporary fence at SO 501 424 on 05.01.20

HO1 at SO 501 424 will follow footpath through Hereford Point estate to Ayles Brook bridge. 05.01.20

HO1 temporary link with Pipe & Lyde path PL9 - blocked by horrendous mud at SO 500 427 on 05.01.20 — HO1 temporary link with Pipe & Lyde path PL9 – blocked by horrendous mud at SO 500 427 on 05.01.20

Until Pipe & Lyde footpath PL9 is fully reinstated, following Welsh Water pipe works, the Holmer path HO1 is a “path to nowhere”.

We will need to maintain contact with Welsh Water/Balfour Beatty to find out what is holding up reinstatement of the path along its correct line.

HO3 runs east west from the A49 through to the Holmer pond on Coldwells Road. At present it has a Temporary Closure notice in force, but it is still accessible. The Temporary Closure notice is due to expire on 1 February 2020 but as no work has commenced it will, no doubt, be extendedfor at least another year.

HO3 gate at A49 - no path closed notice fixed to or near the gate as at 05.01.20 — HO3 gate at A49 – no path closed notice fixed to or near the gate as at 05.01.20

HO3 gate at Holmer pond end - no path closed notice as at 05.01.20 — HO3 gate at Holmer pond end – no path closed notice as at 05.01.20

Footpath HO4

This Holmer & Shelwick footpath has the widest range of views. It starts from Coldwells Road near Highfield House and runs roughly north to a top stileat SO 509 433where it links with Pipe and Lyde footpaths PL1 and PL2. Most of the path is through grassy pastures but the top field is arable and can be muddy at present.

HO4 stile at SO 509 431looking north towards the top stile 29.12.19

Footpath HO6

This is atarmacked footpath that runs west to east through The Furlongs from Attwood Lane to Munstone Road. It was walked on Monday 13th January at which time the most notable and disturbing point was the disgusting sight of a litter bin overflowing with dog poo bags right by the children’s play area.

Footpath HO8

Runs south from Attwood Lane down to the Roman Road. It gets overgrown very quickly in the warmer months and is often muddy and running with water.

HO8 hole in path at SO 509 422 09.45 on 05.01.20

HO8 dried out considerably at SO 509 422 on 05.01.20

Footpath HO8A

H08A is in two parts. First from Attwood Lane (by Holmer Court Care Home) east to The Furlongs estate and then north up to the Secret Garden pub. On the day of the survey the first and last parts of the path were extremely muddy.

HO8A between Attwood Lane &The Furlongs 29.12.19

Footpath HO9

Is from the C1127 road (extension of Munstone Road) by White House Farm across Patch Hill lane down to the bottom of Patch Hill lane at Shelwick Lane. Some bramble clearing was required on the stile nearest to White House Farm (at SO 516 431)

HO9 stile at SO 516 431 near White House Farm on 29.12.19 – usually needs the brambles cutting back

HO9 south of Patch Hill lane on 29.12.19