Borough Life Autum 2006: Making Tracks
Gate Expectations: Standish mum Pauline Harrison opens the gate to the new, improved footpath, with a little help from her friends
It wasn’t perhaps the best start to the day…dodging horse manure on the way to school.
At one point there was even a competition to see who had the trendiest wellies to get down the muddy track between Prospect Road and Kingshill Court, Standish.
“It was horrible,” says six year-old Daniel of Wood Fold primary and a regular traveller on the aforementioned muddy path.
So a group of mums decided enough was enough and brought in Jason Smith from Wigan Council’s public rights of way team to reclaim the path on their behalf.
Pauline Harrison, who walks to school with 10 year-old son Daniel and daughter Sophie, seven, is full of praise for the improvements.
“It’s 500 per cent better now!” she exclaims. “There’s a good solid surface for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and the new gate at the end stops horses and bikers illegally using the path.”
But horseriders and cyclists haven’t been forgotten because there’s a plan to improve the nearby bridleway along Standish Wood Lane later this year.
Mum Nicola Rigby whose son Ben also attends Wood Fold says the new path has all sorts of added benefits.
“Without this, people would be tempted to hop into the car, which isn’t what we want,” she says. “We are really pleased with the work as it means we can get the kids to school quickly without them getting dirty!”
- Now the council’s footpaths team wants to hear from you.
The team is responsible for the upkeep of 500km of paths and bridleways from Astley to Appley Bridge. They want to know how these rights of way can be improved to help people to get where they want to go in a speedy and environmentally friendly fashion.
Later this year there will be an extensive consultation exercise with groups representing townships, older people, bikers, 4x4 drivers and more.
If you want to be involved contact the team at rightsofway@wigan.gov.uk and they will e-mail you the details.