Have you seen a stile like this?




Where is the path now?
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Drainage problem?

The Adlington path before ...
... and after!

Want to Report a Path Problem?

If you fill out our online form (see below), your report will be sent to the Footpath Secretary of East Cheshire Ramblers who will pass it on to the appropriate body responsible for the path.

In completing the form, please make sure you provide either an email address or phone number. Under "Your comments", please first provide information about the path using the following headings:

  • Path from
  • Path to
  • Parish

Secondly, provide information about the problem encountered using the following headings:

  • Grid Reference
  • Date on which the problem was encountered
  • Details of the problem

Click here for a Path Problem Report Form



Footpath Work

The East Cheshire Group of the Ramblers has been in existence since 1972. As well as organising walks led by competent leaders, some members also inspect footpaths which are public rights of way with a view to ensuring they are kept unobstructed and in good repair.

The Group has a team of people known as Footpath Inspectors who volunteer to walk every footpath in a given area (usually a Parish Council area) at least once a year and categorize the footpath as:-
A - GOOD - no problems
B - ACCEPTABLE - some action desirable eg. more waymarks
C - USABLE WITH DIFFICULTY - action required eg. missing fingerpost by roadside
D - OBSTRUCTED

There are currently 29 Footpath Inspectors reporting on over 1200 footpaths. Details of each inspection are entered into a database held by the Group. Where problems are found the Inspector reports the position to Cheshire East local authority and to the Group's Footpath Committee. Committee members liaise directly with the Public Rights of Way staff of Cheshire East to pursue the problems arising.

Problems could include:

  • Paths threatened with closure such as those affected by road construction
  • Applications from landowners to divert or close footpaths
  • Obstructed footpaths
  • Footpaths in need of repair
  • Signposting of footpaths

Committee members consider improvements to the footpath network or try to reinstate old footpaths. Within the total footpath activity there is plenty of scope for individual members of the Ramblers to undertake interesting projects that can give great personal satisfaction and make a contribution to the public good. You don't need to be an expert and you can learn by joining an experienced hand in the field. Anyone interested in knowing more about Footpath Inspectors should contact the for further information.

Text by Alan Catherall with contributions and photos from other members of the Footpath Committee.


Obtaining a new Public Right of Way

The East Cheshire Group has members who annually inspect footpaths which are Rights of Way to ensure that stiles and signposts are in good order and that obstructions on the path are removed. We also seek to claim new Rights of Way for paths which have been used by the public but not dedicated as Rights of Way. For an example of this work click here to download an article by Joyce Blanchard.


Using the Interactive Map

The Cheshire East interactive map is a valuable tool for footpath workers - for a tutorial to get you started, go to "News & Views/Feedback".



All Cheshire's Paths in One Handy Spreadsheet!

Yes - exactly where they start and finish, and how long they are for every parish.
Just click here to download a copy!



Improvements to a path in Adlington

A small donation for materials has secured a major improvement to an Adlington path. The junction of Adlington Footpath 21 and Footpath 24, north of Whiteley Green, at the memorial signpost to Bill Shercliff was notoriously muddy. The East Cheshire Group of the Ramblers approached Adlington Estates and they very kindly offered to carry out the work if we supplied the materials. We arranged for six tons of broken-brick base material to be delivered to site and this was promptly spread and compacted. If only all landowners were as helpful and co-operative!

New Countryside Access Book

Our Secretary, Ian Black, has received a request from East Berkshire Ramblers to publicise their new book, "Secrets of Countryside Access". Their description of it, which Ian completely supports, is
"It is a well-written, user-friendly and comprehensive insight into all aspects of walking in the countryside. It is of value both to the person new to recreational walking as well as to the seasoned walker. It offers advice on simple navigation and map-reading, planning a walk and how to cope with various chance encounters as well as with the legal aspects of walking, including chapters on the rights and responsibilities of walkers and more particularly landowners and highway authorities."

They are selling it by post at a discounted price of £2.50/book, plus p&p of £1/book up to 10 books, 75p/book for 11-20 books, and 50p/book for orders of 21 or more. Orders to: East Berkshire RA Publications (to whom cheques should be made out), PO Box 1357, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7FP.