Ramblers prepare countryside for the summer

Volunteers from the Trans-Pennine Trail Rangers and Rotherham Metro Ramblers will be surveying the network of paths to make sure they are suitable for people to use in the summer.

Rotherham Borough Council will also be working on its  countryside rights of way network for walkers, bikers and horse riders to use.

Richard Pett, the council’s rights of way officer, said: “Here in Rotherham it is through the work of our small team and our brilliant groups of volunteers that we can keep the local network of paths open, as well as continually trying to make it easier for everyone to use.”

The preparations have seen one project near completion with stiles being removed in Wales for easier access.

Richard added: “The idea first took hold in the Lake District and was called ‘miles without stiles’.”

He added: “Farmers are playing their part by enabling us to remove stiles, which is why soon, we will have a stile-free parish at Wales, which with its relatively flat land, lends itself beautifully to greater access for everyone.”