Footpath update January 2007

H38 (Kirby Bellars to Frisby)

Back in December last year I received a planning application regarding the “change of use” from agricultural to equestrian of two fields in Kirby Bellars.

On behalf of the Ramblers Association I objected to this application as there is a footpath (H38, Kirby Bellars to Frisby) that runs across this land. Generally horses and walkers don’t mix well especially if the walkers have dogs with them and this had not been taken into account in the planning application, therefore I objected on safety grounds.

 H56 (Brooksby to Thrussington)

 This path has been officially closed for some time now as the arched brick bridge over the River Wreake was condemned as unsafe. Towards the end of 2006 Leicestershire County Council started to erect a replacement bridge 120m NE of the existing bridge. Due to the difficulty in accessing the site during the winter months work has been suspended until the ground dries out in spring. All that remains to be done is the building of the ramps up to the bridge. All of the legal work, diversions to the definitive map etc, has been completed ready.

Perhaps on one of the evening walks we will all be able to try out the new bridge.

 

                                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new bridge                                                                                                       The new bridge with old bridge in the background.

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Footpath Update August 2006

1. New Bridge now open at Bescaby Oaks

Following pressure on Leicestershire County Council, a new footbridge has been erected over the river Eye near Bescaby Oaks linking Bescaby with Saltby.  The addition of this bridge now means that a very nice circular walk is possible from Waltham via Bescaby to Saltby and return via Sproxton and Stonesby.  This has been recently walked as part of the "Use Your Paths Challenge" and is a very pleasant area to walk.

2. Urban footpaths in Melton Mowbray - All these paths are located within a 1 mile radius of Melton Town Centre and have been walked as part of the "Use Your Paths Challenge"

E1 - Regent street through "Master Foods" following the river Eye, over railway via bridge to Grange Drive, Lowesby Close and then over fields to Burton Lazars.  Path through "Master Foods" and over fields can be a bit muddy.

E9 - Leicester Road near old Police Station crossing railway bridge to Tamar Road and onto New Guadalupe - metalled surfaces.

E12a - Sysonby Church to Asfordby Road emerging at side of Sysonby Knoll Hotel - metalled surface.

E13 - Dalby Road, cross Leicester Road and follow grassy path at side of river Eye to Rhubarb Island.  Several metal gates, mainly grass paths with hard surface path at finish.  A pleasant riverside walk.

E13 a - Millhouse (off Leicester Road) through old garden centre, cross railway line at grade to meet E13 near Rhubarb Island.  Not very interesting but provides a link with other paths.

E15 - Ankle Hill to Dalby Road, grass path follows boundary of old nursing home with lovely mature chestnut trees on one side of path.

E16 - From old railway line on Asfordby Road to join E12a at Butt Close.  Path mainly grass and narrow in places.  Soon to be overtaken by housing estate - your last chance to walk this pleasant path.

E17 - From Ludlow Drive off Scalford Road, crossing Balmoral Drive and Dieppe way then northwards over grassy fields to Scalford.  At the start the path is metalled, then it becomes very narrow between the houses, with overhanging vegetation and lots of garden refuse.  From John Ferneley School area, path becomes pleasant through meadows etc.

E18 - From Snow Hill into Country Park over grass playing fields and forms part of the Jubilee Way.

E22 - Jarvis Drive to Sysonby Street in the Welby Lane area.  Short cut jitty - unattractive.

E23 - Church Walk across St. Mary's churchyard to Play Close - circular walk in park.

E24 - From park gates in Leicester Road around New Park and bandstand to join E23.  Parkland and metalled paths.

E347 - Thorpe Road/Stafford Street via jitty to Beck Mill and onto Stanley Street.

E348 - Norman Way to King Street via St. Mary's Close and old cemetery to jitty near cinema.  Metalled surfaces - short cut.

E349 - Park Road to High Street,  Metalled path - access road.

E359 - Norman Way (near Halfords) to join Chatterbox path round back of flats.  Metalled path - access path around flats.

 

Malcolm Ball - August 2006