Long Mynd bridleway gets a £20,000 facelift
A bridleway running up to the highest point on the Long Mynd, has undergone a £20,000 facelift – after its popularity with walkers led to it becoming eroded.
The route, which runs up to Pole Bank on the Long Mynd, has been repaired and resurfaced.
Peter Carty, countryside manager for the National Trust, said the popularity of the route over the years had destroyed the natural surface and caused considerable erosion.
He added: "The effect of this during heavy rain is that the route runs like a stream – accelerating the rate of erosion.
"This has therefore forced users out on to the edges of the path, causing damage to the vegetation running alongside it.
"This in turn starts the erosion process over again, widening the route.
"This area of the Long Mynd is one of the main sites for ground nesting birds so well-maintained paths encourage visitors to stay on them, reducing the disturbance to the birds like red grouse and especially curlew.
"This level of erosion has also made it difficult for other users of the hill to enjoy this route as it did become a dangerous surface."
He added: "As this is one of the most used bridleways on the Long Mynd, it was also important to make it as accessible as possible to as many users as possible.
"This is such a well-used route, that it was a real shame that our visitors with pushchairs, those in mobility scooters and wheelchairs couldn't use it all, and even the horse riders were beginning to struggle.
"Now all those users can access this route more easily and, by keeping everyone on the path, and not widening it the ground nesting birds are better protected."
Shropshire Council's outdoor recreation team and the National Trust paid for the work.
